Discover Harwich’s Maritime Stories with Guided Tours & Workshops

Harwich Historical Society — Historic Tours, Workshops, and Volunteer Opportunities

Harwich Historical Society in Harwich, Massachusetts, offers a variety of heritage experiences designed for visitors and residents who want to explore Cape Cod history. From guided walking tours and evocative lantern tours to a hands-on ten-week decoy carving workshop, each program highlights the town’s maritime heritage, local architecture, and community stories.

Featured Experiences

• Pine Grove Cemetery Walking Tour — Discover stories of sea captains and notable local figures; scheduled dates include July 12 and August 16.
• Captains’ Row Walking Tour — A scenic one-mile walk covering architectural styles from the 1740s to the 1940s; offered July 6 and August 9.
• Harwich Center Walking Tour — A two-hour guided stroll led by former State Senator Paul Doane with individual earpieces for enhanced listening.
• Lantern Tours — Evening storytelling at East Harwich Union Cemetery featuring historic figures and mariners on select dates.
• Fall Decoy Carving Workshop — A ten-week workshop in the Anthony Elmer Crowell studio led by Master Woodcarver Paul Phillips to learn traditional decoy making.
• Volunteer Sign Up for Summer 2025 — Opportunities to assist visitors at Brooks Academy Museum and Crowell Barn during the summer season.

Why Visit Harwich Historical Society

Visiting Harwich Historical Society connects participants with focused local history programming: maritime heritage, architectural interpretation, and folk art preservation through decoy carving. The mix of daytime walking tours and evening lantern tours provides variety for families, history buffs, and visiting travelers. The decoy carving workshop delivers hands-on skill development in a historic studio setting.

What to Expect

• Guided storytelling based on period photographs and local biographies.
• Site-based interpretation at Brooks Academy Museum and Crowell Barn.
• Accessible listening options on some walks via individual earpieces.
• Seasonal scheduling: specific tour dates are published for each season.

Plan a Visit & Practical Details

• Tours and events are tied to Harwich locations including Pine Grove Cemetery, Captains’ Row, East Harwich Union Cemetery, Brooks Academy Museum, and Crowell Barn.
• The Fall Decoy Carving Workshop spans ten weeks and is taught by Paul Phillips in the Anthony Elmer Crowell studio.
• Volunteer positions are available for Summer 2025 to staff museum spaces and assist visitors during self-guided tours.

Keywords & Local Search Focus

To find programming, search terms that match the society’s offerings include: Harwich Historical Society, Harwich MA walking tours, Pine Grove Cemetery tour, Captains Row walking tour, Harwich lantern tours, decoy carving workshop Cape Cod, Brooks Academy Museum, and Crowell Barn Harwich.

Bookings and Seasonal Notes

Dates for specific tours such as Pine Grove Cemetery (July 12, August 16) and Captains’ Row (July 6, August 9) are published seasonally; Lantern Tours and Harwich Center Walking Tour dates are offered on select evenings. Visitors and volunteers should consult the society’s event listings for up-to-date scheduling and registration information.

Experience Harwich’s maritime past, join a focused workshop, or volunteer to support local history programming — each visit supports preservation and public education in Harwich, Massachusetts.