A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit Sandwich, Massachusetts, the oldest town on Cape Cod, and explore two of the Cape Cod-area educational treasures: the Sandwich Glass Museum, which celebrates centuries of glassmaking, and the Heritage Museums and Gardens, whose rotating exhibits feature a wide variety of topics, from art, to history, offering visitors a look at something new each time they return.
The Glass Museum
The Glass Museum is heavy on the history of glassmaking in the Sandwich area. Visitors will learn about how a Boston entrepreneur by the name of
Deming Jarves built a glass factory in the town after becoming familiar with the area during hunting and fishing trips. Jarves, already himself a businessman and agent of the New England Glass Company of East Cambridge, opened the Sandwich Glass Manufactory in 1825. The business specialized in making blown, mold-blown and pressed glass and remained a fixture in the town for the next 62 years.
(Deming Jarvis)The museum is in possession of approximately 6,000 items ranging from common artifacts like bowls and lamps, to more intricate objects.
(Uranium Oxide glass, circa 1850)
(
Amethyst Glass, circa 1850)
(
Ruby Glass, circa 1840-1870)
Jarves may have been an innovator when it came to glass manufacturing, but that doesn’t mean he was without his detractors. In fact, his life was threatened due to his ability to make decorative glass more affordable. This made him a threat to the entire glass industry.
(
Glass pressing made decorative glass more affordable)
Jarves explains what occurred at the time. “The glassblowers, on discovery that I had succeeded in pressing a piece of glass, were so enraged for fear their business would be ruined, that my life was threatened, and I was compelled to hide from them for six weeks before I dared venture into the street or in the glass house. For more than six months there was a danger of personal violence should I venture in the street after nightfall.” Luckily nothing happened to Jarves and his business went on to thrive.
(Lamp, circa 1860-1880)
Guests will not only learn more about Jarves, but they will also have the opportunity to view a live glassblowing demonstration during their visit.
(Glassblower addresses the audience)
Among the unusual items on display at the museum are glass coils below which, unbelievably enough, were children’s toys and, according to the explanation, they were extremely resilient.
(Children’s toys called “Jacob’s Ladders”)
The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions that focus on specific components of making glass art and showcasing contemporary glass artists.
Guests can purchase glass items after finishing their tour. A number of them are displayed in the gift shop on the way out where everything from jewelry to home decor is for sale.
(
Gift shop offers everything from home decor to jewelry)
The Heritage Museum and Gardens
The Heritage Museum and Gardens is situated on 100 acres of landscaped gardens where guests can see a variety of plants like rhododendrons, daylilies and hydrangeas.
Also located on the property is a restored 1800s windmill that was originally used to grind corn.
(
Windmill dates back to 1800s)The first exhibit that I was interested in seeing at the destination was the old automobile collection, which includes rare and historic cars from the early 20th century.
(The structure which houses the automobile collection)
The collection of cars was assembled by Heritage founder Josiah Kirby Lily III and was inspired by a car parade he witnessed while on vacation. Lily thought that it looked like so much fun that he became determined to acquire an automobile himself. He purchased his first a Simplex-Crane in 1916 and things snowballed from there.
The Heritage Museum also hosts a variety of art exhibits. During our visit, the theme was impressionism.
(
Doug Rugh, Falmouth, Peonies at Bourne Farm)
(Louise Kamp of Saugerties, NY, Dock at Noank)
(Marguerite Pearson, The Red Dress)
The above painting was done by Boston artist Marguerite Pearson, who, due to a bout with polio, was a paraplegic. The disability did not hamper her artistic ability, however. She was described as a “genius” by art critic A.J. Philpot of the Boston Globe.
The last stop we made on the sprawling property was the building that houses a hand-carved carousel dating to 1908. Visitors are always treated to a ride before leaving the property. It had been quite some time since my husband and I rode one and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We also found the placards that described the history of the carousel quite interesting.
We learned that Charles Looff was a master carver who made about 40 carousels between 1876 and 1916.
(
The carousel dates to 1908)Looff carousels are known for their over-the-top decorations, including animals with real horsehair tails, gold and silver highlights and mirrors. There are only 10 surviving Looff carousels, so being able to ride this one was extra special.
Good Eats
After leaving the attraction, we decided to have lunch at an eatery that also touts a rich history.
(The Daniel Webster Inn)Now called the Daniel Webster Inn, the spot was once known as the Fessenden Tavern and was run by the Fessenden family from the mid-1700s to the 1800s. It was so popular that it took on the distinction of becoming Patriot Headquarters. Some of the most prominent men of the day had a room reserved at the tavern. Unfortunately, the structure was destroyed by fire in 1971, and a new building was erected in its place.
We enjoyed reading about the history of the historic destination which is presented to guests on a menu. We also enjoyed the food enough to recommend the place to anyone who travels to the area.
These are just a few Cape Cod recommendations–there is quite a bit to do in the area, but these three places were at the top of my list.
