Provincetown, Massachusetts

Located on the northernmost tip of Cape Cod sits an eclectic beach town called Provincetown, or if you are a local, or want to seem like you are in the know, Ptown. 

Before we get into the current history of this beach town, we should take a trip down the historical timeline that this town has, it is quite impressive! 

 

Some 600 to 1,000 years before the Pilgrims first arrived in America, Native Americans from the Wampanoag and Nauset tribes settled on this land. They first settled as hunters and gatherers and eventually as time, knowledge and tools progressed these Native Americans eventually became agriculturalists and fishermen.

In 1614 captain John Smith, yes the one that famously encountered Princess Pocahontas, ended his career by exploring the area now known as Provincetown. He collected fish and furs and created charts of the land that would be later used by the captain of the Mayflower. The charts created by John Smith named the Cape as Cape James after King James I of England. 

 

When the Mayflower and the Pilgrims reached North America they actually made landfall on the shores of Provincetown, not Plymouth. The Mayflower had taken a difficult two month journey across the Atlantic Ocean with voyagers seeking religious freedom. 

The Nauset tribes that still inhabited this land experienced some difficulties with previous European explorers, so when the Pilgrims did arrive, they kept a very close eye on them. Not knowing if they had arrived to explore, partake in trade or seek retribution for men that were taken just a few years earlier. 

The Pilgrims only explored this area for 35 days before there was a clash with the Native tribe, therefore pushing them to their next destination, Plymouth.

So contrary to popular belief, while the Pilgrims settled in Plymouth, it was not the first stop that the Mayflower had when arriving in North America. 

 

In the coming years, the whaling industry sustained the economy in Provincetown. During the time that the industry took a downturn, Portuguese immigrants began arriving in the area in the mid 19th century to take advantage of the plentiful fishing industry. These immigrant sailors formed a tight knit community and dominated the fishing industry for decades to come. 

Along with their skills they also brought their foods and strong ties to the Catholic Church. Most of these influences can be seen around the town today in bakeries and restaurants as well as the celebration during the annual Provincetown Portuguese Festival. 

The 1900s brought the community its art influence as it grew to become one of the country’s largest art communities. This can be traced back to 1899 when Charles W. Hawthorne opened his Cape Cod School of Painting. Artists were drawn to the area for the sweeping views of the Atlantic, wind blown sand dunes and the harbors filled with sailing ships. 

 

By World War I, Provincetown had become well known within the community of painters, playwrights and poets. 

 

Provincetown’s diversity continued to expand in the 1960s when the widely known bohemian art community became a popular tourist destination for gay and lesbian travelers. They were drawn to the town's inclusivity as well as the sense of freedom and acceptance. 

 

During the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s Provincetown became a place of refuge, where members of this community could be themselves and receive community support. Residents even went as far as creating networks within the community to provide care to those that were sick. 

In 2004 Massachusetts became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage, thus increasing the destinations popularity within the LGBTQ+ community. Even to this day, Provincetown is one of the most popular places for couples within the LGBTQ+ community to say ‘I do’.

Today, the history of Provincetown and vibrant personality still shine through. You are able to see influences from each historical period. There are many art galleries and museums to explore, you can grab breakfast from the Portuguese Bakery and take a stroll under multi-colored banners while listening to the laughter coming from a Drag Brunch. 

So if you find yourself in Cape Cod and are looking for a long weekend or day trip destination, then look no further than Provincetown. Where you can enjoy an incredible nationally protected shoreline, take a whale watching tour, explore and learn more about the Pilgrims, grab a lobster roll from Canteen or celebrate who you really are. 

 

There is a bit of everything, for everyone, in this coastal city.