Highland House Museum
Few towns in America can
match the place held by Truro in the development of our nation. It was
here where Captain Miles Standish and party stayed their second night
ashore in a new strange land, where Native American corn was discovered
and used by the Pilgrims for their survival, and where, in 1851, a
population of over 2000 thrived by working the land and the sea. In
order to preserve this heritage, and to share the knowledge of our
history it can provide, the members and friends of the Truro Historical
Society work to maintain this collection of artifacts, thereby
commemorating the courage, patience and skills of our forebears.
The Highland House Museum
was built in 1907 as a summer hotel to augment a complex of cottages for
summer tourists, the Highland Resort, and was used as the dining
facility for the whole complex, creating scenes of humorous pandemonium
when the dinner bell rang. In the early 1900’s Highland House was THE
place to stay on the lower Cape. Its advertisements proudly proclaim to
have available 55 rooms and a one bath. Room and Board was
$8.00 a week.
The guest rooms upstairs
are a must-see. Furnished with Victorian furniture, old sea chests and a comprehensive
collection of 19th century clothing, our collection will give you sense of times long
past.
Truro Historical Society founder,
Courtney Allen, was a prolific artist and Allen Room exhibit contains fine
examples of his masterful wood carvings, paintings and models. The Courtney Allen Room and
the Fishnet Industries Room contain exhibits not to be missed.
The
Fishnet Industries Room chronicles the growth of Truro’s Tiny
Worthington’s unique business, started in the early 1930’s. Not only
were Tiny’s
fishnet fashions featured in New York department stores, but also the
Duchess of Kent had eight of Tiny’s fishnet turbans and Bette Davis
had a gown made out of fishnet for her movie “Comet Over Broadway.” Don't miss these special exhibits.
Open
May - September
Seven
days a week
10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
