Museums at Aptucxet: Summer Hours and Tour Information
Come visit the Museums at Aptucxet, where history comes to life against the scenic backdrop of the Cape Cod Canal!
The Museums at Aptucxet are open for walk-in tours Thursday – Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM and Sundays noon to 3 PM. Private tours can be arranged any days and times by booking in advance, offering a personalized experience with deeper insights into our exhibits and historic sites.
Private Tours: Private tours can be arranged for large and small groups at any time during the year. The cost for a private tour is $60 for up to 6 people, with an additional $10 charge per person beyond that. To book your private tour, please email BourneHistoricalSociety@comcast.net or call (508) 759-8167.
We look forward to seeing you at Aptucxet. Thank you for supporting local history!
About the Museums at Aptucxet
The Museums at Aptucxet is a 12-acre campus on the banks of the Cape Cod Canal in Bourne, Massachusetts consisting of small historical buildings, historical replicas and outdoor installations that collectively tell the story of local history from the colonial era through the 20th century.
The main museum building is the Aptucxet Trading Post, a replica of the 17th century Pilgrim Trading Post built by Plymouth Colony in 1627 in this area to trade with the local Wampanoag people and travelling Dutch traders.
The property also features the 19th-century Gray Gables Railroad Station, which was built to serve President Grover Cleveland during his second term and now functions as a mini museum of Cleveland’s connection to the area.
The historic Joseph Jefferson Windmill was originally built as an art studio for the actor Joseph Jefferson at his summer home on Buttermilk Bay and was relocated to the grounds of Aptucxet in 1976. In recent years, it has served as a gallery and studio space for local artists. For the 2025 season, the Windmill will be home to our Windmill Vintage Shop, offering a curated selection of antiques, collectibles, and unique vintage finds.
An artisan-lead Gift Shop is housed in a historic information booth from mid 20th century Sagamore Village. The museum property also features a replica of a 19th-century saltworks, a replica of a 19th century coastal schooner and a work-in-progress 1/2 size model of the Schooner Sultana. A walk through the property will bring you by the Colonial Gardens, Three Sisters Garden and Wildflower Garden and recently added Hydrangea Gardens next to a 3 season open-air event pavilion.
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