• Exhibitions
    • Wampanoag Nation: People of the First Light
    • TREASURES OF THE TIDES; an exhibition of the work of Neal Personeus
    • Joan Pereira: Former Artist in Residence
  • Highland House Museum
  • Cobb Archive
  • Truro Self-Guided Tours
  • Notecards
  • Webinars

Truro Historical Society

  • ABOUT US
  • MEMBERSHIP
  • DONATE
  • EVENTS
  • Collections
  • CONTACT US
  • VINTAGE MAPS

Helen McNeil-Ashton — Creativity and Conflict: The Marriage of Edward and Josephine Hopper

August 15 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

In 1924 Edward Hopper married Josephine (“Jo”) Nivison, an artist whose works at that time had been more widely exhibited. During their 43 year marriage Jo was Edward’s muse, model, accountant and, arguably, victim.  In the era of #MeToo, this lecture places the tumultuous Hopper marriage in the context of period relationships and other artist-artist marriages while asking questions about historical method. How important is biographical information — if at all — in understanding the art work? How does the viewer deal with the “curse of knowledge,” as we inevitably bring cultural assumptions to the viewing of the art work? Once known, can biographical knowledge ever be undone?

Edward Hopper said several times that his paintings were himself; what happens if we take him at his word and read his works as psychobiography? After looking at works by Edward, Jo and some contemporaries, the talk ends with an analysis of Edward’s “Rooms by the Sea” (1951).

Helen McNeil-Ashton is Vice-President in Charge of the Collection at the Truro Historical Society and curated the new permanent exhibition in the Edward and Josephine Hopper Room at Highland House Museum.

For over two decades Helen was a lecturer in American Literature, Film Studies and literary and visual Modernism at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, England.  She holds a B.A. from Reed College and an M.A .and Ph.D. from Yale University.

Michael Pregot: Sea Captains of Cape Cod


Join Michael Pregot, author, lecturer and educator,
as he discusses his new book Sea Captains of Cape Cod,
which explores the connection that each Cape Cod town
has to the sea as demonstrated through its seafaring residents.
Wednesday, July 6, 2022
6:30 – 7:30 PM

Visit the Highland House Museum

Highland House Museum
6 Highland Light Road North Truro, MA 02652
Mondays through Saturdays, 10 AM to 4:30 PM
June 1 through September 30
508.487.3397

A Taste of Summer – Annual Party

Refreshments by Cosmos Catering, Truro Vineyards and Yardarm Liquors, music by the Bert Jackson Quartet, and a silent auction where you can buy a seat at the table of some of Truro’s finest home chefs, restaurants and markets. Reserve your ticket(s) HERE

Outer Cape Chorale Chamber Singers Perform at the Museum

Live music is back!

Outer Cape Chorale Chamber Singers
at the Highland House Museum
June 29, 2022
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Dan Haslam: July Walking Tour of Highland Historic District

Dan Haslam Walking Tour of Highland Historic District
July 7, 2022 at 10 AM
Starting on the front porch of Highland House Museum, one-hour guided walks on flat land – starting at 10:00 a.m. Cold drinks and a snack provided.
Donation: $10.00 per person

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.
Open by appointment, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 AM-12 PM
13 Truro Center Road
508-349-0200
To schedule an appointment, send an email to [email protected].

Truro Historical Society Contact Information

Truro Historical Society (THS)
PO Box 486
Truro, MA 02666-0486
[email protected]

Sign Up for Our Email Updates

Privacy by SafeUnsubscribe

Follow Us!

  • Facebook
  • Vimeo
  • YouTube

Cobb Archive

13 Truro Center Road Truro, MA 508.349.0200
9:30 – 12:00 Tuesday and Thursday

Highland House Museum

6 Highland Light Road North Truro, MA 02652 508.487.3397
Monday through Saturday: 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Copyright © 2022 · Magazine Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in