Chatham

The main part of the town is typical for the Cape Cod, with number of ponds, brooks, rivers and harbours. The town also includes two narrow strips of land, the northern of which is the southern part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, which serve as a barrier between the Atlantic and the mainland. There are several islands, including Strong Island, Tern Island, Morris Island and Monomoy Island. The Monomoy Wilderness Area is a 9-mile strip of land which is shrinking from coastal erosion. Accessible only by boat, it teems with wildlife including dozens of endangered birds.

Chatham has quite an off-season character, as well. Everyone can find something for him from “Christmas by the Sea” to the popular Chatham “First Night” and the “Spring Fling” held in May. Downtown Chatham is charming, with a lot of of shops, galleries, restaurants and inns. Main Street is home to numerous family owned and operated shops, restaurants and businesses.

The history of the original Cape Cod Railroad line, one of the things Chatham is famous for is preserved in the Railroad Museum.

Chatham fish pier is also interesting place in the town. Here you can buy fish right from the docks.Built in 1808 and rebuilt in 1878 Chatham Light offers the town’s best ocean views. From telescopes mounted at the foot of Chatham Light, observers can see the growing ocean channel – the Chatham Break which is situated between Nauset Beach and Monomoy Island.

Chatham is also the home to the Chatham Lighthouse, which was established by President Thomas Jefferson in 1808 to protect the ships circling the Cape.

Every Friday evening in July and August, the town holds band concerts at Kate Gould Park on Main Street. Hundreds attend regularly to hear this famous band play.

Other points of interest in Chatham include the Atwood House Museum, operated by the Chatham Historical Society, and the wind-powered Godfrey grist mill. Built in 1797, the mill is fragile and can only grind corn at certain wind velocities.