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.

The Fearing Tavern Museum was a unique building with the oldest portion of the house dating to the late 17^th 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.

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.

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.

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 19^th 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.

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