"To PRESERVE, PROMOTE, AND PRESENT the history of yarmouth, massachusetts."

The Historical Society of Old Yarmouth was founded in 1953 with the mission of preserving and developing community interest in the history of Yarmouth. Led by Caroline Siebens and Ann Maxtone-Graham the Society soon grew to more than 500 members who work to collect the objects and documents that convey Yarmouth’s past and promote the preservation of historical sites in the town.

In 1958, Guido Perera, a descendant of early Yarmouth settler Anthony Thacher, gave the Society an historic family house on Yarmouth Port’s Common, as well as 50 acres of adjoining woodlands. This generous gift is now the Captain Bangs Hallet House Museum and the Nature Trails. The Museum, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is today the only furnished sea captain's home on Cape Cod regularly open to the public.

For more history of HSOY - click the link to read the pamphlet: The Historical Society of Old Yarmouth Makes History: 1953-1993, written by Margaret Milliken.

WHERE WE ARE NOW

The Historical Society of Old Yarmouth continues to actively carry out the mission by collecting Yarmouth’s past, and sharing that past with the local community as well as with visitors from around the world. The Society, led by a Board of Trustees, has two part-time staff members and a number of active and enthusiastic volunteers. Our operations include the Captain Bangs Hallet House Museum, the Nature Trails, Kelley Chapel, and our administrative headquarters at the relocated and reconstructed Gorham Cobbler Shop (behind the Post Office on 6A). Our Archival Collections are located there in a climate controlled archival storage facility. Our office is normally open to the public on Tuesdays 11:00 - 4:30 and Thursdays 10 AM – 3:30 PM or by appointment.

Each year we sponsor lectures, school programs, exhibitions, walking tours, concerts, holiday events, and other social and educational opportunities for the community. We also have an active publishing program designed to encourage historical scholarship about Yarmouth and make it available to all.

wHERE WE'RE HEADED

Future plans for the Society include developing new space for permanent and changing exhibits and expanding our presence in the villages of South and West Yarmouth, both rich in historical importance. The Society is also working to better present and expand The Captains' Mile, the Captain Bangs Hallet House Museum and its surrounding historic sites, as well as the beautiful grounds and Nature Trails that contain so many outstanding botanical specimens.

DIRECTIONS

To the Bangs Hallet House Museum: Located on Strawberry Lane Common, just off Route 6A in Yarmouth Port. From Route 6 take Exit 72 (Old Exit 7). Right on Willow Street to Route 6A. Right on 6A about a mile, just past the Yarmouth Port Post Office. Turn right onto Strawberry Lane (the Common). The Bangs Hallet House Museum is the second house on the right, #11. Parking is along the Common fence.

To the Historical Society’s Administrative Headquarters & Archives: Located at 229 Old King's Highway (Route 6A) in Yarmouth Port, on the lane adjacent to and slightly behind the Yarmouth Port Post Office. Please park next to our building, not in the post office lot.