Woods Hole Historical Museum

Opening Day 2023!
2023-06-17 11:00 - 15:00 UTC | MA
Join us for our opening day, Saturday, June 17, 11-3pm to view our exhibits, tour the grounds, and visit our gift shop!

Members' Party to Celebrate Debbie Scanlon
2023-07-16 17:00 - 19:00 UTC | Woods Hole Historical Museum, 579 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA, 02543
WHHM Members are invited to join the Steering Committee for a party honoring former Executive Director Debbie Scanlon who, after 8 years with the Museum, retired in April. Museum courtyard, 5 to 7pm. Refreshments will be served. RSVP: whhmdirector@gmail.com.

Woods Hole Historical Museum Annual Meeting
2023-08-08 17:00 - 19:00 UTC | Woods Hole Church of the Messiah, 22 Church Street, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, United States
The 2023 Annual Meeting of the Woods Hole Historical Museum will be on August 8th at the Woods Hole Church of the Messiah Parish and Community Center. Museum members will vote on the annual budget and the nominees for Steering Committee officers and directors.

FEATURED SPEAKER
Dan Robb
Author of Sloop: Restoring My Family’s Wooden Sailboat

“BOATS OF WOODS HOLE”
Woods Hole native Dan Robb will tell the captivating story of rebuilding his family’s Herreshoff 12 1/2 and discuss other classic boats beloved by local sailors.

Woods Hole Science Stroll
2023-08-12 10:00 - 16:00 UTC | MA
Visit the Museum at our tent at Waterfront Park, enjoy family-friendly activities, learn about the Museum, and go on a fun scavenger hunt! There is something for everyone at the village-wide Woods Hole Science Stroll.

Annual Oyster Talk and Tasting Summer Fundraiser
2023-08-24 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Woods Hole Historical Museum, 579 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA, 02543
The Woods Hole Historical Museum will hold its annual Oyster Talk and Tasting on Thursday, August 24, 2023, from 5-7 PM on the museum grounds at 579 Woods Hole Road.

The first part of the evening will be a talk by local oyster growers Pete Chase, Eric Matzen and Mary Murphy of Falmouth Shellfish Cooperative, who will tell about their experience raising oysters in this area. The cooperative sells its oysters through the Coonamessett Farm.
After the talk, which will include a demonstration of oyster shucking, guests will proceed to the tasting tables to sample the oysters. Wine and beer will be available, as well as light snacks and specialty sauces.
The event is a fundraiser for the museum. Tickets are $45 for museum members/$55 for nonmembers.
Purchase tickets online here or order your tickets by calling the museum at 508-548-7270.

New Bedford Harbor Sea Chantey Chorus
2023-09-16 16:00 - 17:00 UTC | Woods Hole Community Hall
Join us for a performance by the New Bedford Harbor Sea Chantey Chorus, under the direction of Tom Goux, on Saturday, September 16th, 4 pm at Woods Hole Community Hall. “One of the most harmonious crews ever to come ashore,” the chorus will perform a variety of chanteys and songs that reflect the rich maritime heritage of New England. Tickets are $20 and all proceeds benefit the museum.
Purchase tickets here!
Email whhmdirector@gmail.com or call 508.548.7270 for more information.

Season Closing Day
2023-10-07 | MA
The Museum closes for the season. After this date, you can visit us and get help from our Archivist anytime by appointment.

Woods Hole Trad Stroll – Dawna Hammers at the Museum
2024-05-04 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Woods Hole Historical Museum, 579 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA, 02543
ArtsFalmouth will be holding the Woods Hole Trad Stroll this year on Saturday, May 4. Please note the earlier date! Live performances start at noon, and there will also be an Artisans Market at the Old Fire House.
Singer/songwriter Dawna Hammers will be performing on the Museum campus from 3-4 pm.
A Falmouth favorite, Dawna gets everyone to sings, drum and dance along with her entertaining and inspiring original and cover songs. Please join us!
Donations Welcome

Woods Hole May Festival
2024-05-25 10:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | MA
A new event for the Museum! We’ll be providing a demonstration of our new Spritsail model kits, available for sale (and sail) to kids of all ages. Join us for this much-beloved village event at the Woods Hole Ball Park, featuring games, refreshments and the traditional dance around the May Pole.
(Rain date May 26)
Donations Welcome

Talk on Nobska Lighthouse History at Newly Renovated Keeper’s House!
2024-05-31 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Nobska Light House, 233 Nobska Road, Falmouth, MA, 02543, United States
The talk is free, but seating is limited. Registration is required.
The Museum and Friends of Nobska Light are partnering to present a talk on the fascinating story of Nobska Lighthouse with Ben Carnevale, author of Nobska — the first book-length history of this iconic lighthouse. The event will take place at Nobska Light’s newly renovated Keeper’s House
You’ll learn about the first lighthouse on Nobska Point, built in 1829, the construction of the 40-foot cast iron tower in 1876, and the workings of the magnificent 1888 fourth-order Fresnel lens, still in place today. Mr. Carnevale will also illuminate the stories of lighthouse keepers who risked their own lives to maintain safe passage for ships and sailors.
P.S. As a bonus, Friends of Nobska Light will be offering tower tours to registrants following the talk. Admission is $10.
Donations Welcome

Raingutter Regatta
2024-07-06 11:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Woods Hole Historical Museum, 579 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA, 02543

Museum Exhibition Opening Party
2024-07-12 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Woods Hole Historical Museum, 579 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA, 02543
“Delicious Food and Good Company: 50 Years Celebrating Woods Hole’s Love of Food”
Location: Museum/Library Courtyard
A celebration for museum members and cookbook contributors, this event will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the museum’s archives and feature delicious samples of appetizers and desserts from the museum’s new cookbook.

New Bedford Sea Chantey Chorus
2024-07-13 17:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Woods Hole Community Hall
“One of the most harmonious crews ever to come ashore,” the chorus will perform a variety of chanteys and songs that reflect the rich maritime heritage of New England.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online using the Buy Now button below, or calling 508-548-7270.
All proceeds benefit the museum.
Location: Woods Hole Community Hall
Purchase Tickets

Lecture: “A Village of Discovery: The History and Diversity of Science in Woods Hole”
2024-08-01 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Falmouth Museums on the Green, 55 Palmer Avenue, Falmouth, MA, 02540, United States
Lecture by: John Stegeman, Senior Scientist, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; Director, Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health
How did a small village become an internationally known center for biology, biomedical research, ocean sciences, and planetary workings and climate research? In this talk, a collaboration of the Falmouth Historical Society and Woods Hole Historical Museum, WHOI senior scientist John Stegeman will outline the history and connections among the scientific institutions in Wood Hole, and the nature and global impact of their research.
$20 Non-Member/$10 Members, or donation-based ticket. Light refreshments served.
Register Here

Annual Meeting & Celebration of the Fishmonger Café
2024-08-08 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Woods Hole Church of the Messiah, 22 Church Street, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, United States
This year’s annual meeting will feature a community-wide celebration of the iconic of the iconic Fishmonger Café and honoring Frances Buehler, who established the restaurant 50 years ago.
All are invited to join in the celebration and share their remembrances. Please bring along your Monger memorabilia for our “show and tell.”
Image: “Waitin’ for the Bridge,” by Deborah Handy

Woods Hole Science Stroll
2024-08-10 10:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Woods Hole Waterfront Park, 112-138 Water St, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, United States
Come visit the museum’s booth at this family-friendly annual event and learn about the historic impact of hurricanes on Woods Hole by viewing our display of dramatic archival photographs. We’ll also be featuring our Woods Hole Spritsail Boat model kit, as well as knot-tying and other nautical-themed activities. For more information: woodsholesciencestroll.org

Annual Oyster Talk & Tasting
2024-08-22 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Woods Hole Historical Museum, 579 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA, 02543
Join us for this annual summer fundraiser! The first part of the evening will be a talk by local oyster growers Pete Chase, Eric Matzen and Mary Murphy of Falmouth Shellfish Cooperative. The cooperative sells its oysters through Coonamessett Farm.
After the talk, which will include a demonstration of oyster shucking, guests will proceed to the tasting tables to sample the oysters. Wine and beer will be available, as well as light snacks and specialty sauces.
Location: Museum/Library Courtyard
Tickets: $45 for museum members/$55 for nonmembers
Purchase tickets online here or order your tickets by calling the museum at 508-548-7270.

WHHM Conversation: Capturing Stronger Photos for Tomorrow’s History
2025-02-12 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Woods Hole Public Library, 581 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA, 02543
Whether shooting with a smartphone or a camera, attendees will receive tips from award-winning photographer Dorene Sykes on how to capture photographs more artistically. Attendees will enjoy viewing contemporary and historic images from the museum’s archives that illustrate concepts.
Included will be composition guidelines, finding the best light for landscapes and people, and varying perspective and distance for more powerful images. Key phone and camera settings will also be suggested, as well as where to learn more — locally and online.
The talk is free and open to the public and will be held in the lower level meeting room of the Woods Hole Public Library, adjacent to the Museum at 581 Woods Hole Road. There is metered on-street parking as well as small lots at the Museum and Library. For more information, email whhmdirector@gmail.com.
Speaker Bio: Dorene Sykes has been part of the Woods Hole community since settling in nearby 20 years ago. Taking her lifelong love of photography to the next step, she transitioned from a career in marketing management to photography by first freelancing as a photographer for the Falmouth Enterprise. She then launched and ran a portraiture business for a decade while also teaching photography at Cape Conservatory. During this time, Dorene earned recognition as a Certified Professional Photographer by the Professional Photographers of America and as a Master Photographer by the Cape Cod Art Center. Today, she continues to create photographic art, cover events for performing arts groups, and judge camera club competitions statewide.
Photo Caption: “The Children’s Table” by Gerard Swope, 1938

Maritime Yard Sale
2025-04-26 10:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Woods Hole Historical Museum, 579 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA, 02543
Have too much nautical stuff? Planning to clean out your garage? The museum is holding a Maritime Yard Sale to benefit our Community Boat Shop on Saturday, April 26.
We are accepting donations and 50/50 consignments for high-value items on Saturdays from 10-2 beginning March 15th. Please email whhmboatshop@gmail.com for more information.

Woods Hole Trad Stroll: All Worn Out Jug Band
2025-05-03 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Woods Hole Historical Museum, 579 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA, 02543
Hosted by the Museum.
Join us for live music on the Museum grounds at the annual Woods Hole Trad Stroll, sponsored by ArtsFalmouth. The All Worn Out Jug Band will perform an eclectic set that include jug band classics interwoven with American roots music from traditional folk to Cajun, country and gospel.
As with many accomplished jug bands, you can expect to hear a washtub or doghouse bass, washboard, kazoos, whistles and, of course, a jug — a full complement of strings including guitar, mandolin, ukulele, fiddle, banjo and Dobro, and an occasional concertina.
Museum Front Courtyard, 589 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole. Free admission.

Members Opening Party
2025-06-13 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Woods Hole Historical Museum, 579 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA, 02543
Welcome the summer season with food and drink in the Museum courtyard! Members will have a preview of our summer 2025 exhibits featuring works by women artists of Woods Hole and the 50th anniversary commemoration of the Japanese emperor’s visit to Woods Hole.
Location: Museum/Library Courtyard

Opening Day at the Museum
2025-06-14 11:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Woods Hole Historical Museum, 579 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA, 02543
View our new summer exhibits and browse Woods Hole–themed items in the Museum Gift Shop. Our docents will be on hand to provide the inside scoop on village history and answer your questions.

Walsh Rose Walking Tour
2025-07-01 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Woods Hole Historical Museum Courtyard, 579 Woods Hole Rd, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, United States
Woods Hole’s beautiful Walsh Roses are bursting into bloom throughout the village. We invite you to join expert Gretchen Ward Warren for a walking tour to view these internationally renowned roses in full flower and to learn about how they were hybridized and cultivated right here in Woods Hole in the early 1900s!
Starting location is the Woods Hole Historical Museum Courtyard and the tour will continue on foot around the village.

Woods Hole Cooks Something Up: Summer’s Beginnings & Endings with Chef Katie
2025-07-07 17:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Highfield Hall, 56 Highfield Dr., Falmouth, MA, 02540, United States
Discover the flavors of Woods Hole in Highfield Hall’s kitchen! Join Chef Katie Rickard for an unforgettable cooking experience as she hosts the local culinary stars featured in the beloved cookbook, “Woods Hole Cooks Something Up.”
This class will feature four favorites: Savory Stuffies (stuffed quahogs) with Will Moore; Tomato Basil Melts with Wendy Blomberg; First Day of Summer Shortcake with Pat Tucker; and Apricot Galette with Alexandra Fields Collin.
Elevate your cooking skills while savoring the true tastes of local traditions. You’ll master exclusive dishes featured in the cookbook and hear the heartwarming stories behind them. Cookbooks will be available for purchase before and after the class so you can bring home your own copy and dive deeper into the culinary traditions of Woods Hole.
Register online today or call 508-495-1878 ext. 2.
Event costs $75 for Highfield Hall and WHHM members and $85 for non-members.

Renowned Recorder Artists to Perform Concert in Woods Hole
2025-07-19 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Woods Hole Church of the Messiah, 22 Church Street, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, United States
Join us for a performance of “Recorder Duos, from Medieval through Modern Times” featuring the internationally-renowned Tibia Recorder Duo, artists Letitia Berlin and Frances Blaker.
The program will include J. S. Bach’s “Aria and Variation #7 from Goldberg Variations,” the Sephardic song “La Rosa Enflorece,” original compositions by Ms. Blaker and other compositions.
The concert – a highlight of the museum’s summer-long celebration of Woods Hole women artists – will be held at Church of the Messiah, 22 Church Street, Woods Hole. Admission is complimentary thanks to the generosity of the family of Marcella Garber Polisar Katz and George Maxim Katz.
A reception will follow the concert in the courtyard of the nearby museum.
More about the Tibia Recorder Duo can be found at tibiaduo.com.

Woods Hole Cooks Something Up - Memories and Stories
2025-07-23 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Woods Hole Public Library, 581 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA, 02543
Charlotte Emans Moore, editor of Woods Hole Cooks Something Up for the 21st Century, will present a lively conversation about the museum’s award-winning cookbooks, with stories from the archives about beloved community members and favorite recipes.
Location: Woods Hole Public Library Community Room

Woods Hole Cooks Something Up: Fish, Fish, & More Fish! with Chef Katie
2025-08-04 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-08-05 12:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Highfield Hall, 56 Highfield Dr., Falmouth, MA, 02540, United States
A big thank you to Chef Katie Rickard and her team at Highfield Hall & Gardens for hosting the Woods Hole Historical Museum’s program celebrating our new cookbook Woods Hole Cooks Something Up!
Highfield Hall and the WHHM will again team up for Fish, Fish and More Fish! when Grace Dodier, Dan Isenberg and Olwen Huxley present their amazing recipes for Gravlox, Portuguese Fisherman’s Stew and Salt-Encrusted Striper or Bluefish.
Register online here or call 508-495-1878 ext. 2.

Museum Annual Meeting and Salley Mavor Talk
2025-08-07 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Church of the Messiah Parish and Community Center, 16 Church St, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, United States
REGISTRATION CLOSED!
Members are invited to vote on the museum’s 2025-26 fiscal year budget and slate of Steering Committee members.
Following the business meeting, Woods Hole artist Salley Mavor will present a talk on “Enchanting Threads and Woods Hole Roots” about her career creating magical embroidered worlds. She will also share a bit about her family’s 100-year-old history in Woods Hole. This talk reflects the museum’s 2025 focus on women artists of Woods Hole.
Salley’s presentation will cover a wide range of artistic endeavors, from children’s book illustration to stop-motion animation, demonstrating that there are no limits to what can be expressed with a needle and thread. More information can be found at https://weefolkstudio.com/
The meeting will be held at the Church of the Messiah Parish and Community Center, which is next door to the main Church of the Messiah building. The address is 16 Church St., Woods Hole.
Members and the general public are invited to attend, and registration is required.
All attendees are invited to join us for refreshments.

Oyster Talk and Tasting
2025-08-21 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Woods Hole Historical Museum, 579 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA, 02543
Join us for this annual summer fundraiser – an annual sellout! The first part of the evening will be a talk by local oyster growers Pete Chase, Eric Matzen and Mary Murphy of Falmouth Shellfish Cooperative. The cooperative sells its oysters through Coonamessett Farm.
After the talk, which will include a demonstration of oyster shucking, guests will proceed to the tasting tables to sample the oysters. Wine and beer will be available, as well as light snacks and specialty sauces.
The event costs $55 for museum members and $65 for non-members.
Location: Museum/Library Courtyard
Register
