Chatham, MA

Long before European settlement, the area now known as Chatham was home to the Monomoyick people, who sustained their communities through farming, hunting and fishing. English settlers arrived during the 1660s, and the community, originally known as Monomoit, was incorporated as Chatham in 1712. Located at the elbow of Cape Cod, the town developed around agriculture, fishing, whaling, shipping and other maritime enterprises. Its surrounding shoals and shifting coastline also made these waters particularly dangerous, leading to the establishment of lighthouses and lifesaving stations.

Today, Chatham’s lighthouse, fishing pier, historic homes, museums and preserved coastal landscapes reflect more than three centuries of town history and the much older story of the people who lived here before European settlement. Its working harbor, traditional downtown and access to the beaches and wildlife of Monomoy preserve its strong connection to the sea. Exploring Chatham allowed us to experience another of Cape Cod’s distinctive communities, where maritime history remains an important part of everyday life.