History on Tap - Now Streaming!
Shells of Everyday World January 22nd, 2026
What can shellfish teach us about the world, and ourselves? Sandy Macfarlane, retired Shellfish Biologist and Conservation Administrator for Orleans, blends science, personal stories, and coastal history to uncover the deeper meaning behind these small but powerful natural objects.
Cape Cod's Lost Lights December 4, 2025
With more than 30 lighthouses once guiding mariners across the Cape and Islands, what happens when these silent sentinels are abandoned? When they fade, what stories fade with them? Sam Notick explores the history of five vanished lights: Bishops and Clerks Light, the Hyannis Harbor Range Front Light, Billingsgate Island Light, Cuttyhunk Light, and Mayo's Beach Light.
The Otis Family, Ties to Cape Cod and the Revolutionary War January 30, 2025
Join Nancy Shoemaker, historian for the Barnstable Historical Society, as she delves into the remarkable history of the Otis family and their deep ties to Cape Cod and the American Revolution. Learn about their contributions to the fight for independence, their legacy, and the vital role Cape Cod played in the birth of a nation.
Alice S. Wentworth: A Look at the Schooner, Her People, and the Model January 8th, 2026
What made the century-long voyage of the Alice S. Wentworth unforgettable? Who was the man behind her legend, Captain Zeb Tilton? Discover their story brought to life by master model maker Tom Lauria and his extraordinary model!
The Sandwich Glass Museum March 6, 2025
Olivia Padula, Curator of Collections at the Sandwich Glass Museum, shared the story of the Boston and Sandwich Glass Company, from its beginnings in 1825 to its closing in 1888. This talk covered everything from the artistic to the technical processes of making glass, many of which are still used today. Learn how the glass industry in Sandwich shaped — and continues to shape — the local community.
The SOMERS Mutiny with Gregory Williams December 5, 2024
Step back in time with Gregory Williams, historian of crime and the macabre, as he delves into the dramatic SOMERS Mutiny of 1842. Were the alarming events on board U.S.S. Somers in 1842 actually the only "mutiny" in the U.S. Navy? Were they a mutiny at all? Was the harsh punishment levied upon three suspected plotters--one the troublesome son of a Cabinet member--warranted?