Virtual2022-01-11T10:27:42-05:00

Virtual Exhibits

In addition to the exhibits presented in our galleries and in our shops each year, the museum website presents several online exhibits. Some of these (like the exhibit about ice houses) are online versions of exhibits that were mounted in the museum galleries at some point in the past. Others (like the exhibit about the guano works) were never mounted and have existed only online.

Here are the exhibits available for viewing or listening to online:

Businesses of Old Woods Hole

T.E. Howe’s Market on Eel Pond Businesses of Old Woods Hole Explore the history of Woods Hole through its businesses. Learn about carpenters and entrepreneurs, about tea ...

Woods Hole Women of a Certain Age

This online exhibit is devoted to Women of Woods Hole over age 75. Joan Pearlman and Sally Casper photographed approximately 115 women and the photographs are paired with short autobiographical sketches. Some of the women are summer residents and visitors, others are year-rounders. Some are scientists, others are artists. Some are associated with MBL, others with WHOI. Most have been parents and home-makers. All love Woods Hole.

Historical Paintings of Woods Hole by Franklin Gifford

Franklin Gifford (1854-1936), a long-time resident of Woods Hole, filled his retirement making paintings of local scenes that he remembered or reconstructed. Twenty or so of Gifford's paintings now hang on the walls of the Woods Hole Public Library. Some of the paintings depict battles or famous historical events, but many (like the paint of eeling shown here) show scenes of village life in Woods Hole in the 1800s and capture a sense of what that life was like.

A History of the Guano Works on Great Harbor

Beginning in 1859, Woods Hole was home to the Pacific Guano works. On Penzance Point, where multimillion dollar homes now stand, ships from around the world brought guano and dead fish to a smelly factory that manufactured fertilizer. Then in 1889, the guano works suddenly shut down. Why was it there? What did it do? And why did it close so suddenly? You can learn more about the guano works here.

An Audio Tour of the Village

Hear Woods Hole: An Audio Tour of the Village. You can take an audio tour of Woods Hole. Visit the Bell Tower, meet Sam Cahoon, and learn about the Buckminster Fuller dome here.

The MBL at 125

During the summer of 2013, the Museum hosted an exhibit honoring the Marine Biological Laboratory for 125 years in Woods Hole.

Become a Member

The Woods Hole Historical Museum is dedicated to the collection, preservation and celebration of the area’s unique and colorful past and present. Your support helps the Museum to continue this work and to further our mission.

Go to Top