Wareham Historical Society

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A black, white, and dark blue striped header image with the text Wareham Historical Society

In August 2024, I went on a five-day trip to Cape Cod, MA where I visited many museums and cultural organizations, along with quick history stops and trails. I drove across the bridge to the town of Wareham, which proudly calls itself “The gateway to Cape Cod” to visit a few sites owned by Wareham Historical Society. I took a guided tour of the Fearing Tavern Museum and made quick history stops at the Old Methodist Meeting House, the One-Room Schoolhouse, and the Union Chapel. I also saw the towering Wareham War Memorial and smaller Wareham World War I Memorial in Center Park, the town green.

A two-story 18th century building on a green lawn behind a white fence Large wooden sign with black letters Wood-turned Bowl
A pipe on top of a newspaper near a pair of mugs, all on a wooden table Includes furniture, a model of the tavern, and a hat Green wooden bars run vertically along the edge of the bar.

The Fearing Tavern Museum was a unique building with the oldest portion of the house dating to the late 17th century and additions from 1765 and 1820. A plethora of artifacts from the historical society collections were stored in the space due to the renovation of their other major building, Capt. John Kendrick Maritime Museum, which I did not visit on this trip. Many of the materials were standard for house museums of this time period, including mantle clocks, wooden furniture, reproduction newspapers, spinning wheels, rope beds, fancy dishes, and children’s toys.

A fireplace with a mantle clock and several pieces of vintage furniture Explanation for the Name Aldaberonto Phoscofornia Looking Down the Stairs from the Second Floor of Fearing Tavern
A small spinning wheel and thread winder near a storage cabinet A wooden desk with matching chair and attached cabinet above the desk Pale green painted wall
Simple Bedroom with Gunstock Post in the Corner Simple Bedroom with Large Gunstock Post in Center of the Wall Formerly Outside Window with Shutters Looking from the Attic to a Sitting Room

The house had several unusual architectural features. On the first floor was a jail-like area where the liquor was stored for the night. Since the building was larger than a family home, the gunstock post holding the summer beam on the second floor was unusually thick. A window originally on the outside of the house became part of the attic during one of the additions, and visitors can peek into the adjoining room, much like the attic window at Thomas Lee House in Niantic, CT. Rooms throughout the house had significantly more carved and painted paneling than was typical of the period, indicating that this was once an upscale establishment.

A small room with a rocking horse on the floor and shelves filled with glass bottles against the back wall Parlor with Carved Wall and a 19th century Dress on a Mannequin Four Shelves Filled with White and Pink Ceramics Fireplace and Mantle with Assorted Pewter in Music Room
Edison Standard Phonograph and Wax Cylinders Painted Rose Design on the Bell of a Edison Standard Phonograph A small accordion with a limited number of keys The cylinder-shaped roller has metal teeth on the edge that press metal keys to play music when a crank is turned

For those interested in mechanical music, the parlor featured a beautifully painted Edison Standard Phonograph with many original wax cylinders. Nearby were a Gem Roller Organ from 1867 and a concertina or tiny accordion from about the same time period. I wish I could have listened to recordings of what these instruments sounded like, but at least music from similar instruments is available online. The other most interesting fact from the tour was the naming of Aldaberonto Phoscofornia Bowen Fearing, who was born in 1812. Newspaper articles, her birth record, two U.S. censuses, her obituaries, and her cemetary headstone all have different spellings of her name. Mrs. Fearing had eleven children, all with normal names for their time.

A small whitewashed building set near the road with a double door in front. A small, shingle-style building made of two tiny segments A whitewashed building with a main section in the middle and a slightly small section on either side including its on front door
Sign Reading Old District School No 6 Built Before 1825 An informational sign with a brief history on the area A Small Green Metal Sign attached to a Rock

Just down the street were Old Methodist Meeting House, the One-Room Schoolhouse, and the Union Chapel. These cute little buildings were all built during the 19th century and served as meeting spaces for the town. Today, the two churches can be rented for events, while the schoolhouse is used for field trips. Across the street, Center Park has Wareham War Memorial, also called Soldiers and Sailors Memorial, which was erected by the town in 1904 to commemorate soldiers from the French & Indian War, American Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and American Civil War. Two statues stand atop the base, while a third overlooks the town from a tall pedestal. A much smaller plaque nearby was added for World War I soldiers. Interestingly, I did not see memorials for any later wars.

Two statues stand atop the base, while a third overlooks the town from a tall pedestal The text reads Erected by the Town of Wareham in Memory of Her Loyal Sons 1904 A Civil War Era soldier overlooks the town from a tall pedestal
Statue of a Civil War Era Artillery Soldier with His Foot on His Cannon Statue of a Sailor Looking through His Binoculars A Sign Reading Drive Slow Historic Tours Being Conducted Ahead

A quick note on getting there: be warned that Google Maps will try to take one from Massachusetts Route 28 / Cranberry Highway to Elm Street in order to reach the area, which is not a through way; you can even see the orange traffic cones on Street View. Instead, drive over the bridge and turn left on Tihonet Road. Fearing Tavern Museum is open for free tours on Saturdays in July and August from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Like most historic buildings, it is not accessible for those with limited mobility, and most rooms are dimly lit. While extreme historic house fans such as myself will be delighted by this fascinating building, the casual tourist or family might find the tour less thrilling.


Abby Epplett’s Rating System

Experience: 7/10

Accessibility: 4/10



Location: 495 Main St, Wareham, MA 02571, USA