OPEN HOUSE & RECEPTION – FRIDAY, JULY 13TH 4-6 PM – FREE ADMISSION, REFRESHMENTS
The midcentury 1955-1965 was a vibrant, lively era, when visitors arrived by train, car and boat to enjoy the beaches and vacation life on the Outer Cape. The Highland House Hotel known as “The Queen of the Highlands” was a summer gathering place for tourists and locals alike. “The Groaning Board”, pictured here,was a popular fixture at the Highland House during the 50s and 60s.
“Mid-Century: The Outer Cape Comes of Age” explores the 1950s and ‘60s on the Outer Cape, a period of major growth and modernity. Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, and Provincetown saw major bursts of business, construction, and tourism during this period. Motels, restaurants, and souvenir shops sprang up as the population surged and tourism spiked. New businesses, such as Jobi Pottery in Truro, opened and thrived.
Route 6 was extended to Provincetown in 1955, making it easier to get to the Outer Cape. Six years later, JFK established the National Seashore, preserving 40 miles of seashore and more than 43,000 acres of dunes, beaches, forests, and meadows. The untamed beauty of the area attracted artists, writers, and architects. Some of the most innovative architects developed a new kind of cottage: the mid-century modern home—simple, open, and integrated with its environment.
At the same time that the Outer Cape was growing, the Cold War dominated the national landscape. The North Truro Air Force Station opened in response to the tensions between the U.S. and the former Soviet Union. While the 762ndRadar Squadron monitored potential threats, a community of 500 people made this their home for many years.
The exhibit looks at the convergence of all of these factors through a variety of images and objects that capture the story of the Outer Cape’s coming of age. The exhibit opens on July 2nd 2018 and runs through September 30th.