Bradley House2025-05-02T15:18:17-04:00

Bradley House

Displays in Bradley House – the Museum’s main building – feature highlights of the village’s intriguing past and present. 

New 2025 Exhibit – A Fruitful Collaboration: The Woods Hole-Japan Science Connection

On a 1975 goodwill tour to America, Emperor Hirohito of Japan—long interested in marine biology—made a special visit to Woods Hole to talk with scientists at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). This exhibit features archival photos from the visit and historical background about the Japan-Woods Hole science connection, and is part of a collaboration with WHOI, MBL and Highfield Hall and Gardens in Falmouth, which is featuring a Japanese print exhibition over the summer.

Permanent Exhibit – The History of Woods Hole

Continuing this season in the museum’s Gallery 1 is The History of Woods Hole, the story of whaling, science, architecture, hurricanes, ferries, railroads, tourism, local industries and more, using photographs, documents, artifacts, recordings and tools. The core of this exhibit is a timeline describing key people and significant events in the settlement and development of Woods Hole, covering the time period from the 1600s to the present.

Permanent Exhibit – Scale model of Woods Hole Village in 1895

This impressive, room-size model of Woods Hole Village in 1895 was crafted by 37 museum volunteers in 1982. The year 1895 was chosen because most present-day activities had begun about this time: ferries to the islands, scientific research and summer tourism.

Join and Support the Museum

The Woods Hole Historical Museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving and sharing the area’s unique and colorful past. Your support – whether joining, donating or volunteering – helps further our mission.

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