Located on the Highlands in Truro is a quaint early-1900s historical hotel. While this hotel no longer plays host to overnight guests, it does welcome museumgoers interested in learning more about the early history of Cape Cod.
The Highland House Museum, located inside Highland House, welcomes visitors of all ages looking to learn more about the Wampanoag tribe and the early European colonists who arrived in Truro.
What is the Highland House Museum?
The Highland House, a historic hotel built on the Highlands in 1907, is one of Truro’s most well-known landmarks. Located within it is a museum dedicated to exploring the lives of the people living on the outer Cape in and around the early 1900s.
The museum has several different permanent exhibits that include learning about the indigenous people who lived on the Cape before the Europeans landed, the life of the colonists when they did arrive, and even an art gallery showcasing the natural beauty of the area.
When is the Highland House Museum Open?
The Highland House Museum is the perfect place to visit during the summer as it is only open seasonally from June 1st through September 30th. During that time, the museum is open at the following times:
- Sundays and Mondays – Closed
- Tuesdays – 10 AM to 2 PM
- Wednesday – Saturday – 10 AM to 4:30 PM
Entrance to the museum is $8 for adults and $7 for seniors and children ages 6-17. Members and children 5 and under are free.
Where is the Highland House Located?
The Highland House is located on Highland Light Road, about 1.25 miles from Seamen’s Bank in North Truro. The physical address of the house is 6 Highland Light Road, North Truro, MA 02652.
Wet8 Installation at the Highland House
In 2023 the Truro Historical Society will be installing a wet8 (pronounced ‘wetu’) on the grounds of the Highland House. A wet8 is a traditional Wampanoag-style house. The installation will allow visitors to gain insight into how the Wampanoag lived prior to the arrival of European settlers.
There will be a dedication ceremony for the wet8 house on June 3rd starting at 10 AM. There will be Wampanoag singers and dancers, along with food vendors and an arts and crafts fair. The event will be free of charge, and all are welcome to attend.
Learn more about the Wampanoag Tribe History on Cape Cod.
Other Events at the Highland House Museum
In addition to the wet8 dedication ceremony, the Highland House will have several other events this summer. Some of the upcoming events include:
- Corn Hill Historical Walk with Jay Vivian (multiple dates : June 12th, July 17th, and September 18th) – a brief 2-mile walk with the amateur historian Jay Vivian to learn about the events that happened in and around Corn Hill and how it got its name.
- Center for Coastal Studies – Whale Disentanglement Team (August 2nd) – A lecture on the rescues of whale entanglements and what actions are being taken to prevent further entanglements and efforts to save the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale.
- Poetry Reading Night (August 16th) – A night filled with poetry readings by local poets. Check the Truro Historical Society page for more details.
For More History on Truro
Truro’s first public labrary built in 1912, now serves as the Cobb Archive, which houses maps, charts, books, photographs, family memorabilia, and other historical documents. Located on 13 Truro Center Road, the Cobb Archive is open to the public for research.
Other Things to Do in Truro
The town of Truro has a ton to offer. If you are visiting the Highland House Museum, why not check out some of the other sights in Truro, like Highland Light, the first lighthouse on Cape Cod or Corn Hill Beach?
