• Exhibitions
    • Wampanoag Nation: People of the First Light
    • Joan Pereira: Former Artist in Residence
  • Highland House Museum
  • Cobb Archive
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  • Gift Shop
    • Vintage Maps
    • Notecards
    • “Grace Darling” print available for sale!
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Truro Historical Society

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Our Support for Racial Justice

The Truro Historical Society (THS) supports the peaceful Black Lives Matter movement for racial justice that is taking place in the United States and around the world. “Liberty and justice for all” means justice for Black and Indigenous populations, and for all people of color.

Museums and archives are not neutral spaces. Because we interpret history, we have the responsibility of presenting the past as fully and accurately as possible, including painful and uncomfortable aspects. The past feeds into the present, and when a community actively engages with its past, it can use its understanding to make a better society.

Truro was founded on land that had been inhabited by Native People for thousands of years, but these people were displaced by English settlers. There were enslaved people and indentured laborers enduring near-slavery conditions in Truro. In 1754, the town’s first minister, Reverend John Avery, bequeathed to his children three African-American enslaved men and “my Indian Girl Sarah.”

After reflecting on the “settler privilege” that most of us enjoy, the THS decided in late 2019 to mark the 400thanniversary of the Pilgrims’ arrival with a decolonial exhibition celebrating Truro’s first inhabitants, the Wampanoag Nation, from its origins to today. During the postponement caused by the coronavirus, the THS will continue to consult with Indigenous scholars and community members. We will increase our commitment to diversity and inclusion. As a token of our commitment, the THS wishes to share the Land Acknowledgment we have prepared in consultation with members of the Wampanoag Nation. This statement will stand at the entrance to the Highland House Museum’s permanent exhibition about the Paomet and the Wampanoag peoples.

Land Acknowledgment

The Highland House Museum stands on the traditional homeland of the Paomet Tribe, members of the Wampanoag Nation, who have inhabited Cape Cod for more than 12,000 years and who knew this part of Truro as Tashmuit. The Truro Historical Society acknowledges the displacement, suffering, and forced assimilation of the Wampanoag and other Native Peoples caused by European contact and colonization. We honor the struggles of the Wampanoag, People of the First Light, and support their resilience, and we ask museum visitors to reflect on our shared responsibility to maintain social justice.

In Memory of Susan Howe

With great sadness, the Truro Historical Society Board of Directors announces the death of our
wonderful president, Susan Howe.

Susan brought immense creativity, energy, time and passion to our organization. She loved Truro,
and was totally committed to preserving our history and culture and the well-being of her beloved
town. She was committed to the community and besides the Truro Historical Society, she was very
involved in many organizations, including the Truro Commission on the Disabled, Community
Preservation Committee and the Walsh Committee.

Susan was a bright light in our organization and in our town. She was loved by so many of us, and
we will miss her forever.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE IN MEMORY OF SUSAN HOWE

 

Vintage Maps for Sale

The Museum has reproductions of vintage maps of Cape Cod and the Outer Cape for sale. Visit our “Vintage Maps” page to see our collection. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Notecards Now on Sale


Share your love of Truro with every note you write! Notecards for sale made from vintage postcards from the Truro Historical Society collection – Sets of 4 for $10. Share your love of Truro with every note you write! Click HERE to order yours today! Pictured here: Ballston Beach, Truro, Mass

Visit the Highland House Museum

Highland House Museum
6 Highland Light Road North Truro, MA 02652
Museum Hours
June 1 through September 30
Sundays and Mondays: Closed
Tuesdays: 10 AM to 2 PM
Wednesday-Saturday, 10 AM to 4:30 PM
508.487.3397
Image by Chuck Steinman

“Grace Darling” print available for sale!

 


Reproduction for sale for $40 each
To order yours, contact [email protected].

Grace Darling was one of the Victorian era’s most celebrated heroines.

The painting of Darling is credited to Thomas Brooks, 1818-1891, no date given. It was sufficiently popular. that it was copied in oils by a French artist, Emile Chasse in 1884, as well as giving rise to the 1873 engraving. The engraving reproduced here was printed in Boston in 1873 from a lithograph.

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].

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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

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