Here's just a preview of the many historic sites you'll find in Yarmouth. Some, like the Captain Bangs Hallet House, are museums open to the public according to posted schedules.

Captain Bangs hallet House MUSEUM is now open to the public

We are offering two tours daily, Thursday - Sunday, through the summer with tickets available for purchase online.

KELLEY CHAPEL

Although this small chapel is not routinely open for visitors, it is available for private gatherings and celebrations and provides the serenity and ambiance of a small church nestled in a secluded meadow—yet just steps from the Old King's Highway. It has become a popular setting for many memorable summer weddings as well as christenings, anniversary celebrations, memorial services, concerts and even theatrical events.

An Authentic Native American Dwelling
OF A TYPE NOW RARELY SEEN on the Cape

In the meadow directly opposite the Kelley Chapel sits a unique, traditional Native American dwelling once common on the Cape. It is a Turtle Wetu, built by the very descendants of the indigenous peoples who lived on these same lands some 8-10,000 years ago, long before European colonists arrived.

Fashioned from traditional materials it now serves as an educational center in which members of the Wampanoag Nation share stories from the spoken history of their people and their culture, told from their point of view, one often quite distinct from those versions of Native American history mostly written by late-arriving settlers.

Be sure to check our Events Page for activities scheduled to be held in the Wetu and to book reservations.

Ancient Cemetery

Yarmouth Port’s Ancient Cemetery, on Center Street, has been used for burials since the 1600’s with the oldest permanent marker dating to 1698. The first meetinghouse was erected here and though that building is long gone the spot is marked by a large granite stone, with the oldest burials radiating out from that location. In recent years the Friends of Ancient Cemetery, a volunteer organization, have enthusiastically taken on the task of preserving, protecting and promoting the cemetery, documenting the burials there, photographing the stones and carefully cleaning them using approved techniques. We encourage you to visit their website to learn more about this project and support their ongoing efforts. You may also enjoy this video presentation by the organization.
NEW: The Lost At Sea Walking Tour of the cemetery is now available on YouTube and may be accessed on your phone. A QR code is available on the sign at the Center Street gate.

THACHER HALL

Built in 1870 by followers of Swedish scientist, philosopher, and theologian Emanuel Swedenborg, it's directly across from The Common. The building, no longer a church, was recently restored to its once proud and beautiful condition.
It contains meticulous Gothic details, elaborately hand-painted and stenciled walls. The Foundation responsible for the restoration is dedicated to bringing the best of arts programming to this area of the Cape.

266 Main Street (Route 6a, the Old King's Highway/Route 6A),
at Strawberry Lane across from The Common, Yarmouth Port

WINSLOW CROCKER HOUSE

This house, and the Thacher house located next door (but not open to the public), are both owned by Historic New England (SPNEA). Originally located
in West Barnstable, the Winslow Crocker House was moved to its present location in 1936 by Mary Thacher, an avid collector of antiques and a descendant of Anthony Thacher, one of the three original founders of Yarmouth. Miss Thacher used the house as a backdrop for her collection of colonial furniture, hooked rugs, ceramics, pewter, and other decorative arts.

250 Main Street (the Old King's Highway/Route 6A), Yarmouth Port
Open Saturdays, July through mid-October
Tours 11am-5pm, on the hour, last tour 4pm; advance tickets required.

EDWARD GOREY HOUSE

Purchased by author/illustrator/set designer Edward Gorey in 1979, this 200-year-old sea captain’s home became a museum after his death in 2000 and is now dedicated to Gorey's life, work, and his devotion to animal welfare.

8 Strawberry Lane, (just off the Old King's Highway/Route 6A),
on The Common, Yarmouth Port
The house and its annual Gorey exhibits are open to the public
from April through December.

TAYLOR-BRAY FARM

Originally settled in 1640s by Richard "The Rock" Taylor, and located on the edge of a picturesque salt marsh, the farm was home to seven generations of Taylors, including Captain Samuel Taylor, a noted ship master with many voyages across the Atlantic, and a Revolutionary War veteran of the Continental Army. Samuel’s father and two of his younger brothers also served in the Army and militia during the War.  Taylor soldiers saw service at the Siege of Boston, Valley Forge and battles at Trenton, Princeton, Ticonderoga, Saratoga, Monmouth and Stony Point. Samuel built the existing farmhouse and barn (circa 1780s —1790s). 

The farm remained in the Taylor family until 1896 when George and William Bray, two quirky, bachelor brothers purchased the property. The Brays ran a working farm and successful antique business until 1941. The farm was subsequently owned, in succession, by the Williams and Karras families who continued many farming traditions. In 1987 the Town of Yarmouth acquired the property “for historic preservation and conservation” purposes.

The farm, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, includes sheep, goats, Highland cattle, and chickens. It was also the site of several archaeological digs which documented the Plymouth Colony origins of the farm as well as a seasonal Native American presence dating back some 8,000 to 10,000 years to nomadic people of the Paleolithic and Early Archaic periods.

108 Bray Farm Road North, Yarmouth Port
The farm is open during daylight hours. There is no admission fee although donations are accepted.

JUDAH BAKER WINDMILL

Built in 1791 and named after its original builder, Judah Baker, this mill was moved several before it came to its current location. As large commercial mills appeared in the Midwest, local mills, including this one, fell into disuse.
In 1953, the mill was donated to the town of Yarmouth along with the surrounding Windmill Park, which includes a small swimming beach on
Bass River. In 1999, the windmill underwent an extensive renovation and
now appears in its original condition.

89 River Street, South Yarmouth
Open seasonally. Call the Yarmouth Historical Commission at 608.398.2231 ext. 1292 for a schedule.

FRIENDS MEETINGHOUSE

Yarmouth Friends Meeting was the second Meeting of that faith in America, established in 1659. The present “new” meetinghouse erected on half an acre donated by Friend David Killey in 1808 is over two centuries old and has a thriving membership today holding regular Sunday meetings. In the adjacent cemetery with its small, modest gravestones, lie generations of Quakers who settled and lived in this area. 

Quaker Meeting House
58 Main Street, Quaker Village, South Yarmouth
Silent Service every Sunday at 10 AM

BAXTER GRIST MILL

Built in the early 1700s for grinding corn, the mill was operated until 1900, when electricity and commercial flour became readily available. The mill was restored in the 1960s by Harold Castonguay and George Kelley and given to the town of Yarmouth. It was the first site in Yarmouth to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Route 28, West Yarmouth
Open seasonally. Call the Yarmouth Historical Commission at 508-398-2231 ext. 1292 for a schedule.