Although Provincetown lies at the tip of a narrow sand bar that curls off the coast of New England just south of Boston, it is far from insignificant. Today it is a major tourist destination especially for the gay and lesbian market, but it has a rich and varied history that has put it permanently on the map!

The Pilgrims First Landing Place… Provincetown was visited briefly in 1620 when the Pilgrims set foot here only to move on soon afterwards in search of fresher water which they found in Plymouth. The Mayflower Compact, which formed the basis for the American Constitution, was written and signed here. The Bas Relief, opposite the Town Hall, commemorates this event.

The Portuguese Community Begins… The teeming fish shoals around the Cape eventually attracted fishermen to the area, including a large number of Portuguese who settled here and formed a year round community. With the growth of Provincetown, and the fishing and whaling industry, in the nineteenth century, came better communications with the mainland, including a railroad, which in turn allowed those who could afford it to start vacationing in Provincetown. As a symbol of this new found prosperity came the houses; Greek, Roman, Gothic and Victorian revival in style, some grand, others simple. Many still survive, some as private dwellings, others restored as guesthouses.

The Wind of Change… Then early in the 20th century the fortunes of the fishing industry were dramatically cut first with the increasing competition from other successful fisheries in Canada, and then when a devastating storm, the legendary Portland Storm, destroyed many of Provincetown's wharfs. At that time the town could have gone into decline were it not for the elite of Boston and New York who had discovered it to be a place of incredible beauty and a great place to vacation and escape the oppressive city temperatures of the summer. Provincetown continued to thrive. In 1910, President Teddy Roosevelt dedicated The Pilgrim Monument, built to commemorate the first landing of the Pilgrims in Provincetown.

The Beginning of our Art's Heritage… Among the wealthy summer vacationers were writers and artists who found the freedom in Provincetown to express their talent. The Cape is known for its amazing colors and this is reflected today in the paintings of the many artists who continue to flock here and make Provincetown their home. One of the earlier artists to settle here was Charles Hawthorne who along with others established the Provincetown Art Association and Museum in 1914. Today this continues to thrive.

The Growth of our Writer's Heritage… Many famous writers wrote some of their most important works here in town and they in turn attracted actors to this very special place. In 1916 a group of writers and actors built a theater in an abandoned wharf and the Provincetown Players were formed. The opening play, Eugene O'Neill's 'Bound East for Cardiff' received rave reviews in the Boston papers and Provincetown was placed firmly on the map as a cultural center. Today the list of famous writers and artists who have found inspiration in Provincetown is a truly long one and includes such names as Eugene O'Neill, Tennessee Williams, Norman Mailer, Edward Hopper and Jackson Pollock. But the list doesn't end there because many famous performers have entertained in town. Such names as Marlon Brando, Billie Holiday, Eartha Kitt, Al Pacino and Richard Gere have all performed here. The tradition of supporting and sponsoring the arts continues. In 1968, the Fine Arts Work Center was created by a group of Provincetown artists and patrons. This creative learning center continues to offer fellowships to emerging artists and writers throughout the year.

The Flower Power 60's and beyond… With the development of such a rich artistic colony came the open mindedness which attracted Hippies to the town in the 1960's and which laid the foundations of a tolerant and welcoming society where gays, lesbians and other oppressed minority groups felt safe on vacation and also a place they could make their home. So it is that Provincetown has mutated into the melting pot that it is today! The town has embraced its new role as a major tourist destination and Commercial Street now bustles with cafes, restaurants, shops and art galleries along with the colorful mix of gays, lesbians, mothers and fathers, children, drag queens and all those other people who make Provincetown what it is!

Provincetown Today… Provincetown is unique in so many ways. But one thing is certain - very few people are able to visit the town without experiencing its magic! Many find the magnetism so strong that they change their lives just to be here. Perhaps it has something to do with being able to experience a sunset over the water while being on the East Coast or perhaps it's just down to the magic of the place and the people who embrace it as home!