Bourne Historical Society
2009 Season
Second Wednesday Gatherings
Jonathan Bourne Historical Center
30 Keene Street, Bourne Village
Donation: $5
May 13th at 7 PM
Wampanog Traditions
Yesterday and Today
Presented by Carol Wynn, Mashpee Wampanog
June 10th, 7 PM
Opening of the summer exhibit “Crossroads of Bourne:
Then and Now” Pictures of Bourne how it looked years ago and now.
An introduction to exhibit by Thelma Loring, Curator.
3rd Annual Martitime Lecture Series
Wednesday Evenings
April 1st, 7 PM
Boston Light, the Ideal American Lighthouse - lecturer/Slide show by Keeper Sally Snowmen.
For the past 278 years, Boston Harbor Light has safely guided ships into the port of Boston. The original structure of the lighthouse of 1716 was destroyed by the British during the war in 1776. In 1783 it was rebuilt out of rubble stones from the original tower. The new lighthouse was enlarged to its current height of 89 feet in 1859. Additionally, in 1783 the Fressnel Lens was added, and it is still functioning today. Since 1998, all lighthouses in the U.S. are automated with the Boston Light to be the last to adapt this change. But still this site remained to be the last one in the country to be kept by a keeper. To date, 66 men and 1 woman have served as Head Keepers tending Boston Harbor Light. April 8th, 7 PM
Donation: $5
Lightships: THE END OF AN ERA - Lecture/slide show presented by Doug Bingham, Historian for the USCG Lightship Sailors Association, Inc.
Lightships ...
The little Red Lightships were often called floating lighthouses. They were stationed where it would not be practicable to place a lighthouse. Most were stationed in exposed and dangerous locations, such as, far out to sea in deep water; close in to shore with soft sandy bottoms or treacherous/ shifting shoals, in busy shipping channels or wherever maritime needs dictated. Fog, ice floes, collisions and severe violent storms were some of the dangers Lightships and their crews faced. When the weather deteriorated and nature's fury erupted into mountainous seas with raging winds that drove other ships to seek safe harbor and refuge out of harms way, duty demanded lightships to remain at anchor on their dangerous designated stations.
April 15th 7 PM
Donation: $5
Restoration of Race Point Light - Lecture/slide show by Jim Walker, President of the Cape Cod Chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation
In 1995, the Keeper’s house and surrounding property was leased to the New England Lighthouse Foundation. Known for their work on other New England Lighthouses, International Chimney rebuilt the roof and chimney of the Keeper’s house. Master craftsman Richard Davidson of Onset rebuilt much of the interior and exterior. Dana Green, of Green and Robinson, crafted the windows and doors for the lighthouse and Whistle house. Volunteers finished renovations, and the four-bedroom Keeper’s house opened for overnight stays. Jim will tell us about the restoration project.
April 22nd, 7 PM
Donation: $5
The Schooner Ernestine - Lectures by Paul Brawley.
The 114-year-old Ernestina ex-Effie M. Morrissey is a National Historic Landmark, is the official vessel of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and is part of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.
She has served as a successful Grand Banks fishing schooner; as an Arctic exploration vessel that came to within 578 miles of the North Pole—a record that still stands for a sailing vessel; as a U.S. Naval vessel in World War II; as a Cape Verde packet ship—the last sailing vessel in regular service to bring immigrants to this country; and most recently served as a sail training education vessel for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Next to USS Constitution, Ernestina is perhaps the most significant surviving sailing vessel in our nation’s maritime history.
April 29th -
7 PM
Donation: $5
Sharks of New England by Greg Skomal, biologist, MA Division, Marine Fisheries
As the ocean waters of New England warm in May and June, many species of fish migrate north. Among them are more than a dozen shark species. Whether they are oceanic sharks such as the blue, amok or basking sharks; coastal species such as sandbar sharks, spiny and smooth dogfish; or tropical species such as tiger and hammerhead sharks, they all can be found in New England trying to capitalize on the productive northeast waters that are rich in food and reproductive opportunities. The porbeagle shark is the only species found year-round in Massachusetts waters because of its preference for colder waters. Massachusetts represents the northernmost range for several shark species. Therefore, it is an important area for monitoring the health and distribution of shark populations.
Donation: $5
Special Events
Fri. Evening, May 22nd at 7PM
at the Jonatahn Bourne Historical Center
Popular Music of the Gaslight Era (1890-1920)
Presented by John Root, Musician, Naturalist, and Educator
11 AM - 2PM
Strawberry Festival and Craft Fair at the Aptucxet Trading Post Museum Complex
July 18th, Satuday
11 AM-3 PM
Colonial Day - August 15th, Saturday
7 PM
Walk Through History
Sept. 19th, Saturday
11AM - 3 PM
Wampanoag Day
Ongoing Events
Aptucxet Trading Post Museum
Complex and the Windmill Gift Shop
24 Aptucxet Road
Open for the season May 22 - October 11
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM and Sunday 2 to 5 P.M.
Admission: $4.00 individual, $3.50, seniors $2.00 children, $10 family.
Christmas in Old Bourne Village
December 4, 5, & 6– Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Events to be announced at a later date
Addresses of Locations, all with-in walking distance
Jonathan Bourne Historical Center, 30 Keene Street * Briggs-McDermott House, 22 Sandwich Road* Jonathan Bourne Public Library, 19 Sandwich Road * Bourne United Methodist Church, 37 Sandwich Road
Historical Society's Office and Exhibits along with the Archives are open Monday and Tuesday 9:30am -2:30pm and Wednesday 6:30- 8:30pm.
The Historical Commission meets Tuesdays 9:30am- 12:30pm.
Bourne Historical Society Office and Town Archives are open:
Hours: Monday and Tuesday 9:30 am - 2:30 pm, Wednsday 6:30 - 8:30 pm, and by Appointment other times. Must call a week in advance for appointment.
30 Keene Street
Bourne