I sensed I would learn not just about the history of the library, but also about this village that I’d come to enjoy, with its bucolic setting on the Nantucket Sound, large swathes of protected land, and a village center that served all of our needs.
The Osterville Free Library, as it was known when founded in 1882, can actually be traced back to 1873 as the Osterville Literary Society, and the lending library was located in the converted dining room of the James Allan Lovell House, where Thankful Hamblin Ames lived and served as the first librarian. The library was to outgrow the small room in less than a decade, and was moved to the Dry Swamp Academy behind the Osterville Baptist Church.
In 1881 William Lloyd Garrison, Jr. solicited both year-round and summer residents to pledge money to build a new village library.
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Paul Chesbro’s roots are firmly planted in Osterville. He remembers
Charles Jones and Albert “Allie” Colman driving their horse-drawn
wagons in Osterville Center when he was a boy in the early 1940s.
Just a few years later, Studebaker cars were parked along the side
of the street – a subtle indicator that times were changing. But what
had come before? What was it like when his ancestors walked the
streets of Osterville? Who were their neighbors? What was their life
like way back when?
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Oysters, soft-shell clams, quahogs – oh my!
There’s nothing better than these fruits of the sea,
and the best way to ensure you’re getting the freshest
shellfish is to harvest them yourself. It’s great family fun
and a wonderful way to introduce the kids to a lifelong activity,
the importance of environmental preservation, and the concept
of “catch and eat local.”
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Clambakes, a time-honored tradition here in Osterville, are often
the culinary centerpiece for weddings, neighborhood parties, and
family gatherings.
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Picturing Osterville
Picture perfect is an apt description of Osterville, which blends the best
of quaint villages scenes and majestic water vistas. Osterville-born photographer David Hansen has a keen eye for what makes this special
place so visually appealing.
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The beloved Osterville native is over 100 years old and still going strong, gracefully plying the waters of Nantucket Sound, skimming the
shallow current, averting shoals, harnessing the fickle winds, and asserting her place in the hearts of sailors who have, for generations,
built the foundation of family and friendship upon her full keel.
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Cape Cod is certainly considered a world-class fishing destination, and Osterville in particular offers anglers an incredible variety of landscapes. From the vast system
of estuaries and inshore bays to open ocean beaches, anglers can catch trophy fish right from the shore, harbor jetties, a boat, a kayak and even a paddleboard. Here are some specific areas to try next time you decide to go fishing.
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There’s no better way to get to know Osterville than to hit the road on foot or bike. And, for those who like to wander off road, we’ve got some great options as well. These great routes will reward you with great views along the way.
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Early in the history of Osterville, the area at the intersection of Parker Road, Bay Street, and Wianno Avenue housed the village hay scales where produce in this farming community was weighed. Eventually the island at the center of these streets was turned into a World War I memorial on which the names of local service men and women were etched in bronze to acknowledge and honor their service.
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For many of the early years, there was a caddy camp on the lake near the 18th tee. Young boys from the city would spend summers there earning money and learning the game.
Donald Ross returned to Osterville in 1927 to design and build the Oyster Harbors Golf Course on the gated community of Oyster Harbors on Great Island. Oyster Harbors was described by Mr. Ross as one of his favorite layouts. Playing 6,800 yards to par 72, the course includes many fairway bunkers and offers scenic water views.
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A 12-foot tidal surge flooded the area (seen above) following the destructive winds of the 1944 storm. The main house on the Dowse property was lifted off of the foundation and floated into East Bay.
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East Bay Road, was built in 1886 by retired sea captain Nelson H. Bearse, Jr. It dominated the seaside landscape of Osterville during its glory years in the early 1900s. Home, Sweet Home-away-from-Home Osterville's Historic Inns & Lodges
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Cape Cod — the name conjures up images of sandy beaches and endless waves. The 12,458-acre Three Bays watershed not only has the beaches and waves, but also includes bays, salt marshes, rivers, ponds and cranberry bogs.
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