The Art of Decoy Making Workshop

Brooks Academy 1887

Brooks Academy in 1887. Four men on the steps out front, and a high-wheel bicycle leaning on the column.

Elmer Crowell Painting a Decoy

Taken in 1938. Elmer Crowell painting one of his duck decoys, surrounded by his work.

Cranberry Bog During Picking

View of cranberry bog during picking with boxes stacked on right and wagons and horses on left. Ralph U Brett Collection.

John H. Paine 1899 HHS Graduating Class

Black & white photo of Harwich High School graduating Class of 1899, with 31 people identified.

Harwich Goes to School

The Brooks Academy building is 175 years old!  We celebrate with a new exhibit about the history of Harwich's schools, from colonial days through the 1960s.

Upcoming:

  • The newest edition of our e-newsletter The Powder House is set to be released in December. To be added to our subscription list, email info@harwichhistoricalsociety.org
  • 12/2: Come visit the Harwich Historical Society gift shop @Harwich Community Center for the Garden Club of Harwich Holiday Boutique 9am-11am
  • Registration for our Spring Decoy Carving and Painting Workshops will be opening in January

 

Brooks Academy Museum is temporarily closed.

We look forward to reopening after construction has been completed! Mid to late 2024 is our anticipated reopening!

Don't want to miss out on important updates and programs? Become a valued Member and get our quarterly Newsletter, "The Powderhouse," to hear all about our Harwich Historical Happenings!

Like us on Facebook to see our most recent updates; check out our Events to see the fun workshops and tours we offer while the museum remains closed.

For research inquiries, please email research@harwichhistoricalsociety.org

Brooks Academy

Sidney Brooks built Harwich's first high school in 1844. Subjects taught were the typical high school curriculum and included surveying and navigation.

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Crowell Barn Museum

Explore the story of the Harwich bird carver A. E. Crowell and see examples of his work in the reconstructed Crowell Barn on the grounds of 80 Parallel St in Harwich.

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Cranberry Culture

Cape Cod’s largest exhibit dedicated to interpreting and presenting the history of Cranberry Culture on Cape Cod is here at the Brooks Academy Museum.

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John H. Paine Collection

A collection of historical documents, it preserves much local history. Collected by Josiah Paine, who was born in Harwich in 1836, and had interest in history and genealogy.

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Are you ready to get into some great history?

We have the collections, and the experts to help you find it!

Learn

Dick Moore

Dick Moore, past president of The Magic Lantern Society, demonstrates the special effects of a late 19th-century Magic Lantern. Our museum features an exhibit of photos from the 1930s, originally shown on a "magic lantern," and now digitized through a grant from Community Preservation.

Have fun

3 girls

Three Harwich youngsters show off the sandpiper models they painted at Paul Phillips's workshop at the Elmer Crowell Barn. Check out our Events using the link at the top of this page to see upcoming workshops!

Help out

Albert_CV

Volunteer Albert Raneo  talks to Monomoy High School students about Cape Verdean culture and history in our Cape Verdean Outreach program. Albert was the HHS 2016  Claire Kenny Volunteer of the Year for his work with HHS.

Call or Email

We would love to hear from you!

508-432-8089
e info@HarwichHistoricalSociety.org