Cape Cod Maritime Museum

09/04/2026

History on Tap: Finest Kind: Tales of a Brant Rock Lobsterman

Author and conservationist Sandra Staples-Bortner shares the remarkable story behind her book Finest Kind: Tales of a Brant Rock Lobsterman, inspired by her father, Donal Staples. Raised on his lobster boats and shaped by his stories, Sandra recounts Donal’s journey from joining the Navy at seventeen and serving in the Battle of Okinawa, to returning home to build a life as a lobsterman in the small fishing village of Brant Rock.

As Donal becomes a leader in the local fishing industry, he helps strengthen a close-knit maritime community while raising his family on the water—hauling traps, fishing for food and fun, and passing down the traditions of the sea. His story spans decades of change, culminating during the COVID-19 pandemic, when isolation in a nursing home tested his resilience but never diminished the respect of his peers or the love of his family.

Through personal stories and vivid recollections, this program explores the life of a member of the Greatest Generation and the enduring values of hard work, community, and character — the very definition of being “the finest kind.”

Learn more about Sandra Staples-Bortner, author and daughter of Lobsterman Donal Staples here: https://www.sandrastaplesbortner.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandra.staples.bortner/

🗓 Thursday, September 17th, 2026
🕔 5:00–6:30 PM
📍 Cape Cod Maritime Museum

🍺 Sponsored By Cape Cod Beer
🎟 $10 / $5 members | 🔞 21+ to sample beer
Photo: Harper's Weekly

Tickets are limited and often sell out—register now to save your seat!
Tickets : https://capecodmaritimemuseum.org/events-and-lectures/capecodmaritimemuseum-finest-kind-tales-of-a-brant-rock-lobsterman

09/04/2026

What a night! Thank you to author Don Wilding for joining us for last night's History on Tap - his "Prohibition On Cape Cod: Running The Rum In" talk was a SOLD OUT crowd! 📚

Thanks to everyone who came out, and to Don for bringing Cape Cod's rum-running history to life!

Thanks so much to the Cape Cod Maritime Museum for hosting my “Prohibition On Cape Cod: Running The Rum In” author talk this evening — SOLD OUT! This was my final talk of the summer — next month, I’ll be heading off Cape for Prohibition talks in Raynham (Oct. 19) & Foxboro (Oct. 27). Details at dwCapeCod.com/events.
Arcadia Publishing

08/17/2026

🎤 Meet the Speaker: Sam Notick

🗓 Thursday, August 20, 2026
🕔 5:00–6:30 PM
📍 Cape Cod Maritime Museum

Samantha Notick, Collections & Exhibits Manager at the Cape Cod Maritime Museum, is the curator behind many of the exhibits you see—and the museum’s go-to tech guru! Outside the museum, she enjoys collecting mugs, creating intricate cross-stitch pieces, and showing off her fabulous earring collection.

Join Sam as she explores the lives of seven remarkable women lighthouse keepers on Cape Cod in the 19th and early 20th centuries. At a time when the profession was almost entirely closed to women, these trailblazers stepped in—often after the death of a husband or father—to maintain the lights, safeguard mariners, and earn the admiration of their communities. Discover the dedication, resilience, and skill that kept Cape Cod’s lighthouses shining.

🍺 Sponsored By Cape Cod Beer
🎟 $10 / $5 members | 🔞 21+ to sample beer

Tickets are limited and often sell out—register now to save your seat!

Tickets :
https://capecodmaritimemuseum.org/events-and-lectures/capecodmaritimemuseum-female-lighthouse-keepers-of-cape-cod

08/17/2026

This Week! Female Lighthouse Keepers of Cape Cod

🗓 Thursday, August 20th, 2026
🕔 5:00–6:30 PM
📍 Cape Cod Maritime Museum

Cape Cod is a destination for visitors drawn to our iconic lighthouses. Many imagine the romantic life of a lighthouse keeper — watching the sea, guiding ships, and living on the edge of the coast. But in the 19th and early 20th century United States, this profession was almost entirely closed to women.

For most, the only path to becoming a keeper came through loss — stepping into the role after the death of a father or husband. Here on Cape Cod, seven remarkable women did exactly that. They took on the responsibility of tending the light, maintaining the stations, and safeguarding mariners, earning admiration and respect for their dedication, resilience, and skill.

Sam Notick, Collections and Exhibits Manager at the Cape Cod Maritime Museum, will share the stories of these trailblazing women who kept the lights shining on Cape Cod.

🍺 Sponsored By Cape Cod Beer
🎟 $10 / $5 members | 🔞 21+ to sample beer

Tickets are limited and often sell out—register now to save your seat!

Tickets :
https://capecodmaritimemuseum.org/events-and-lectures/capecodmaritimemuseum-female-lighthouse-keepers-of-cape-cod

08/14/2026

✨ Did you enjoy last night’s History on Tap: The Roaring Twenties?

👉 Register now for our next History on Tap! Female Lighthouse Keepers of Cape Cod

https://capecodmaritimemuseum.org/events-and-lectures/capecodmaritimemuseum-female-lighthouse-keepers-of-cape-cod

🗓 Thursday, August 20th, 2026
🕔 5:00–6:30 PM
📍 Cape Cod Maritime Museum

Cape Cod’s lighthouses inspire dreams of the keeper’s life - but for women in the 19th and early 20th centuries, that dream was nearly impossible. Most only stepped into the role through tragedy, after the death of a father or husband. Discover the seven Cape Cod women who defied the odds and kept the lights shining.

🍻 Enjoy cider from Craft Beer from our sponsor Cape Cod Beer: plus cheese, crackers, water, and non-alcoholic options.
🎟 Admission: $10 / $5 for members
🔞 Must be 21+ to sample beer

Space is limited and events often sell out—reserve your tickets now!

08/11/2026

It was a HOT one on Saturday morning, but that didn’t stop the amazing volunteers from showing up for our beach cleanup!

About three bags of trash were collected from the beach. A huge thank you to everyone who braved the heat and came out to help keep our coastline clean!

08/10/2026

A great day on the water in Scituate!

On Saturday, our rowing team competed in the annual Harbor Days Race! This race carries on a tradition dating back to the days when local fishermen and Irish moss harvesters rowed their wooden dories for work—and came together once a year to race for fun and, of course, bragging rights.

The weather couldn't have been better, and our crew finished third overall!

08/07/2026

Next Week! History on Tap: The Roaring Twenties - Cape Cod Summer a Century Ago

🗓 Thursday, August 13th, 2026
🕔 5:00–6:30 PM
📍 Cape Cod Maritime Museum

📣 Speaker announcement! Join us Thursday, August 13 for History on Tap: The Roaring Twenties with Christopher Setterlund

Step back to the 1920s, a decade of dramatic change on Cape Cod. Author and historian Christopher Setterlund takes you on a tour of a Cape Cod summer in the Roaring Twenties - from tea rooms and beloved local shops to attractions that still welcome visitors today, and treasured places long since lost to history.

A descendant of the Doane family that helped settle Eastham, Setterlund brings deep local roots and a lifelong passion for Cape Cod history to this special look at the Cape a century ago.

🍺 Sponsored By Cape Cod Beer
🎟 $10 / $5 members | 🔞 21+ to sample beer
Photo: Provincetown in the 1920's

Tickets are limited and often sell out—register now to save your seat!
Tickets :
https://capecodmaritimemuseum.org/events-and-lectures/capecodmaritimemuseum-roaringtwenties

08/06/2026

August Beach Cleanup at Loop Beach!

Join us this Saturday from 7:00–9:00 AM to help keep our coastline clean!

No registration required
Gloves, trash bags, and grabbers will be provided

The forecast is looking great—warm and a little humid, so be sure to bring water, wear sunscreen, and dress for the weather.

We hope to see you there!

08/06/2026

Join the Cleanup Crew At Loop Beach
281 Ocean Avenue, Cotuit
Gloves and trash bags will be provided.
Clean-up will be held rain or shine. Please dress accordingly.

Any questions, contact Barnstable Natural Resources: 508-790-6272