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Chatham Massachusetts Aerial

CHATHAM

HISTORIC

Celebrating Our Town's Past

Chatham is a town steeped in history, home to wonderful museums, hidden architectural gems, natural history, and the locations of significant Native American settlements. Historic Chatham is a cooperative effort among Chatham's many museums and organizations focused on local heritage and history.

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June is Chatham History Month!

Sponsored by Historic Chatham, this annual event aims to engage residents and visitors in the town's rich history and unique heritage. In 2025, we are expanding to a full month of special events at Chatham's many historic sites, museums and organizations.

June 2025 Chatham History Month

The Coast Guard Auxiliary will conduct tours of the Chatham Lighthouse.

June 4

Chatham Lighthouse Tours

1 - 3 pm

Chatham Light - 37 Main St

As a seaside community, and having three branches of the Armed Forces present during WWII, Chatham experienced nightly blackouts, collection of scrap material, and fishermen having special radios to report any U-boat sightings during their voyages. Presented by Dick Kraycir, author of Marconi-RCA Wireless Museum: Ocean Waves & Radio Waves.

June 5

Life in Chatham During WWII

7 - 8 pm

Chatham Marconi Maritime Center - 831 Orleans Rd

A WCC Amateur Radio Association Special Event in the museum. Station W1WCC will be "QRV" (on the air), staffed by former WCC and Coast Guard operators. Museum visitors are invited to observe and learn as Morse code operators communicate with museum ships' radio rooms around the world.

June 8

Museum Ship's Weekend

1 - 4 pm

Marconi/RCA Wireless Museum - 847 Orleans Rd

Open 10-4 Tuesdays through Saturdays until Labor Day (except July 4)

June 10

Chatham Railroad Museum Opening Day

10 am - 4 pm

153 Depot St

Roald will use stories of three of the Benjamin Godfreys of Chatham in the 18-19th centuries as a framework to discuss local history, war, emigration, commerce, grist mills, genealogy, and property records. Tickets by reservation/Seating limited.

June 10

Tuesday Talks: Roald Lokken

5 - 7 pm

Atwood Museum Mural Barn - 347 Stage Harbor Rd

The Coast Guard Auxiliary will conduct tours of the Chatham Lighthouse.

June 11

Chatham Lighthouse Tours

1 - 3 pm

Chatham Light - 37 Main St

A proclamation to mark the anniversary of the incorporation of the village of Monomoit as the town of Chatham on 11 June 1712.

June 11

Town Incorporation Celebration

10 am

Eldredge Public Library - 564 Main St

Explore the process and tools for researching the history and genealogy of your historic home with EPL genealogist and Chatham Historical Commissioner Nancy Barr.

June 12

Tracing your Historic House History

1 - 2 pm

Eldredge Public Library - 564 Main St

Open to children of all ages, and a perfect activity while parents peruse the museum! Come explore within the Atwood gardens, learn about gardening in Colonial times, and even plant a potted mini garden that kids can take home for themselves! Session times and registration details will be announced soon!

June 13-14

Atwood Weekend & Colonial Planting

11 am - 4 pm

Atwood Museum - 347 Stage Harbor Rd

Tour the historic Josiah Mayo House (built 1820), headquarters of the Chatham Conservation Foundation, and learn about life on Main Street in the 1800s.

June 13-14

Josiah Mayo House - Open House

10 am - 3 pm

540 Main St

The Coast Guard Auxiliary will conduct tours of the Chatham Lighthouse.

June 18

Chatham Lighthouse Tours

1 - 3 pm

Chatham Light -
37 Main St

Guided tours with a docent from 10:30 a.m. Colonial gardener Sonny Gada will plant a Native American "three sisters" garden. 11 a.m. Robert Nickerson will demonstrate aspects of the barn restoration project. Noon to 2 p.m. Gary Nickerson , who was a member of the archaeological team that excavated William and Anne Nickerson's c. 1664 homestead, will be on hand to speak about the expanded display of artifacts from the dig. 1 to 3 p.m. Fiber artist Cheryl Flett will demonstrate carding and spinning fleece.

June 21

Nickerson Family Association Program Day

10:30 am - 3 pm

Caleb Nickerson Homestead - 1107 Orleans Rd

The 1797 National Register of Historic Places, Windmill will be grinding corn (weather permitting) as it did from 1797 to 1907. Col. Benjamin Godfrey himself will be there to give tours and maybe let you take home some free corn meal!

June 21

Godfrey Windmill Grinding Corn

11 am - 3 pm

Chase Park - off Shattuck Place

Join us for an exciting tour of some beautiful homes within West Chatham. The funds raised will support the Chatham Historical Society and Atwood Museum. Reservations are required - see website for details.

June 22

Annual Chatham House Tour

12 - 4 pm

Various locations - Reservations required

The story of the South Chatham Library spans 150 years and tells the history of not only the library but that of many of the well known Chatham names of the past.

June 24

The South Chatham Library Story

5 - 6 pm

Eldredge Public Library - 564 Main St

The Coast Guard Auxiliary will conduct tours of the Chatham Lighthouse.

June 25

Chatham Lighthouse Tours

1 - 3 pm

Chatham Light - 37 Main St

Enjoy a 90 minute performance on the veranda of Marconi's “Hotel Nautilus”. Bring your chairs, blankets and picnic or snacks to this free family-friendly concert. Parking and lawn space are available on a first come, first served basis.

June 25

Music on the Veranda: "Fine & Mellow" Jazz

4:30 - 6 pm

Chatham Marconi Maritime Center - 847 Orleans Rd

Join Eldredge Library director Amy Andreasson and Chatham Railroad Museum co-director Gil Sparks to explore the life and legacy of Marcellus Eldredge (1838-1898).

June 26

Marcellus Eldredge Presentation

5 - 6 pm

Eldredge Public Library - 564 Main St

In addition to its regular exhibits the Museum will run an O Gauge model railroad with multiple trains continuously. Come enjoy the trains, tour our caboose and learn about the Chatham Railroad’s vital role in Chatham’s history.

June 27-28

Model Train Exhibit

10 am - 4 pm

Chatham Railroad Museum - 153 Depot St

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