Plain and simple, the South Coast of Massachusetts is a gem. These seaside towns are simply stunning without the congestion of the coastal regions closer to the city (the North Shore, South Shore, and Cape Cod). A visit to Marion, Dartmouth, and Westport, to name a few, combines seaside beauty with a slower pace than most of coastal Massachusetts. A few years back, we explored the town of Mattapoisett. As this was during the throes of COVID-19, the Mattapoisett Museum was not open during our visit. I vowed to get back to the museum and finally did.
Mattapoisett Museum
In the center of town is the Mattapoisett Museum. It is housed in a circa 1821 meetinghouse. With three rooms, it features both a permanent and a rotating collection commemorating the town in bygone years, from the distant past to more recent days. The first room of the museum is inside the nave of the church. Although it is a museum, the building still operates as a church. During my visit, the rotating exhibit, called “Mattapoisett: Then and Now,” showcased certain sites around town and featured past and present photographs.
They Call Me the Wanderer
Beginning this July, the annual exhibit is about the Wanderer, the last whaleship constructed in Mattapoisett. The town was well known for its shipyard with the finest boats being built here. The Wanderer was built in 1878. After an illustrious tenure at sea, including sailing out of San Francisco as part of the Klondike Gold Rush, the Wanderer was wrecked off of Cuttyhunk Island. Although gone, it remains here in spirit. As curator Connor Gaudet shares, “The presence of the Wanderer hasn’t changed. There were stores named after it. The elementary school yearbook is named for it. The local pub is named for it.” This year marks the 100th anniversary of the ship’s wrecking. The ship was built twenty years after the whaling industry’s peak and was the last whaler to leave the docks at New Bedford.
The most impressive piece in the Mattapoisett Museum collection is the hand-made model of the Wanderer. It is in a gallery with other artifacts relating to Mattapoisett’s shipbuilding past. The architect of the model boat is George A. Lowery, who is from Arizona. This model alone is worth a visit to the museum. This is currently Gaudet’s favorite piece.
The final room of the museum is the Carriage House. Dating from the mid-20th century it houses artifacts from all eras of Mattapoisett history, including agricultural equipment and displays showing different rooms in a house. It also houses huge pieces, including a fire truck, an ice-hauling sledge, and wagons. The mast from the actual Wanderer is also in the museum’s collection.
Meet Connor Gaudet
Curator Connor Gaudet has his own interesting story. Connor’s passions include storytelling, history, and museums. A native son, after years in New York City, he moved back to Massachusetts when starting a family. Originally in advertising, Connor’s career path changed after the recession of 2008. Gaudet was the oral history coordinator at the 9/11 Tribute Museum in New York City and more recently, worked at the Pilgrim Hall Museum in Plymouth.
During your visit to Mattapoisett, make sure to stop at the wonderful Mattapoisett Museum. The museum is open on Fridays and Saturdays during the summer. Check the website for updated hours. It is located at 5 Church Street.
While You’re There
Hungry? Sure you are! Check out Turk’s Seafood which is located in Mattapoisett on Route 6. Come to Turk’s for its fresh fish dishes, sushi, and cocktails. Some of the most popular menu items include haddock, scallops, and halibut. All of these fish come from the BASE fish auction house in New Bedford. Talk about fresh! Some of the most popular sushi rolls here include the Turk’s Special, the Shrimp Tempura Special, the Tuna Sushi Bomb, and the Peppered Seared Tuna rolls. On the drink side, check out the Ruin Mayan, the Pear Tini, and the Big Turk’s Tini. You won’t be disappointed!
