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. It has recently served as an Art Gallery and studio for local artists to work and display their work.
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.
The Museums at Aptucxet are open Memorial Day Weekend through Columbus Day Weekend.
- Days: Thursday, Friday and Saturday
- Hours: 10am – 4pm
- Open by appointment for bus tours, private tours and school groups year round. Contact BourneHistoricalSociety@comcast.net or call 508-759-8167 for more information
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