Cobb Archive
13 Truro Center Road, North Truro, Massachusetts
Open Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9:30AM – 12PM, and by appointment
Visit the Cobb Archive
The Cobb Archive houses maps, charts, books, photographs, family memorabilia, and other historical documents. This 1912 building was designed in the Arts and Craft style, and originally served as the town’s first public library. Located in Truro Center, the Cobb Archive is accessible to the public for research.
To schedule an appointment, send an email to research@trurohistoricalsociety.org.
Directions to the Cobb Archive
From Provincetown: Take the Truro Center Pamet Roads Exit and continue straight along Truro Center Road, past Jams on your left. The Cobb Archive is a couple buildings up on the right, on a hill. It’s at 13 Truro Center Road, Truro, MA.
From Wellfleet: Take the Truro Center Pamet Roads Exit and take a right off the exit. At the stop, take a right and drive under the highway. At the next stop take a right onto Truro Center Road and pass the Post Office on the left. Up a few buildings on the right you’ll find the Cobb Archive at 13 Truro Center Road, Truro, MA.
The Cobb Archive Collections
Sea Charts and Maps
- Historic maps of Truro
- Survey maps of town roads, power lines, and properties by John Raymond Dyer, Surveyor, 1925 to 1957
- Capt. Atkins Hughes’ sea charts from the early 1800s
- 19th century U.S. Coastal Survey maps
Works by Truro Authors
- Prose and poetry
- Fiction and non-fiction
Family Memorabilia
- Valentines, greeting cards, wedding and graduation invitations, and more
Vintage Post Cards
Photographs
- A collection of about 2,000 images of Truro: people, families, buildings, landscape, leisure, livelihood, and scenery
Books and Oral Histories – Rare and historic books and oral histories can be found on our shelves:
- Cape Cod and Truro history
- Etiquette and household hints for women
- Bibles and other religious works
- Children’s literature
Archival Records
- Archives of Truro families such as Small, Dyer, Lewis, Farnsworth-Sawyer
- Newspapers
- Merchant Letters
- Pamphlets
- Historical information related to the US Coast Guard
We are always interested in expanding our collections.
If you have maps, books, other works on paper, and images that you would like us to preserve and make available to researchers and the public.
How Our Volunteers Can Help You
Our volunteers will assist your search for information from our Museum and Cobb Archive collections. The first cumulative half-hour per day of assistance is free. Any additional research may be subject to an hourly fee of $20 (10% discount for members). Simple inquiries by email are also welcome, and follow-up assistance is subject to the same pricing policy. Printing, shipping, and handling costs will apply.