Atwood House Museum Map (2024)
Plan your visit with the most up-to-date Atwood House Museum Map and navigate this hidden gem in Chatham with ease.
Atwood House Museum is a historic property in Chatham, Massachusetts, originally built in 1752 by sea captain Joseph Atwood. It now serves as a museum operated by the Chatham Historical Society and showcases colonial life, maritime artifacts, and rotating exhibits related to Cape Cod history.
Locate the Mural Barn, Joseph A. Nickerson Research Center, and the Maritime Gallery without missing a beat. Step into centuries of Cape Cod history, from antique furniture displays to the lighthouse lens exhibit.
Whether you’re tracing genealogy or just love maritime heritage, this map helps you see it all without wandering in circles.
Atwood House Museum Map 2024
The Atwood House Museum in 2024 features a ground floor plan centered around the original 1750s Atwood House, with seven period rooms displaying three centuries of Cape Cod family life. The museum includes twelve spacious galleries, such as the Tool Room (with historic trade artifacts and the Atwood Store Sleigh), the Durand Room (now a Children’s Activity Room with vintage toys and interactive exhibits), and special galleries for art, local history, and rotating exhibits like “A Place to Hang Your Hat” and “In Tune with Chatham.”

Printable Atwood House Museum Map PDF 2024
FAQ
What is the historical significance of the Atwood House Museum in Chatham, Massachusetts?
The Atwood House Museum is historically significant as one of Chatham’s oldest surviving structures, built around 1752 by sea captain Joseph Atwood, and preserved in its original form. It reflects the maritime heritage and domestic life of Cape Cod families from the 18th century onward, serving as a tangible link to the region’s colonial and seafaring past.
Which time period does the Atwood House reflect in its preserved rooms and exhibits?
The Atwood House’s preserved rooms and exhibits reflect daily life from the 1700s through the 1900s, with particular emphasis on the 18th and 19th centuries. Seven ground-floor rooms are furnished with period-accurate furniture and artifacts, while later additions, like Marjorie’s Kitchen from the 1830s, add depth to the historical narrative.
What kinds of artifacts and collections can visitors expect to see at the Atwood House Museum in Chatham?
Visitors can see over 4,000 artifacts, including period furniture, decorative arts, maritime artifacts, nautical charts, paintings, textiles, photographs, and documents related to Chatham’s history. Highlights include the Tool Room with trade artifacts and the Atwood Store Sleigh, the Nickerson Portrait Gallery, the Fishing Gallery, the Lighthouse Turret with an original Fresnel lens, and collections focused on local author Joseph C. Lincoln and Chatham’s lifesaving services.
How does the museum showcase the maritime heritage of Cape Cod?
The museum showcases Cape Cod’s maritime heritage through dedicated galleries and exhibits on fishing, shipping, and lifesaving services, as well as ship models, navigational tools, and the historic Chatham Twin Light lantern. Artifacts and interpretive displays highlight the importance of the sea in shaping Chatham’s economy, culture, and community identity across generations.