We're Proud to be the Only
"Preserve America"
Community on Cape Cod
The "Preserve America" program was started in 2003 as a federal effort to encourage and support community efforts for the preservation and enjoyment of America’s priceless cultural and natural heritage. The program is administered by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation in partnership with other federal agencies. To date a total of 751 cities, counties, tribes and neighborhoods in 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands that have also received this award, 20 of them in Massachusetts.
In 2009 the Town of Falmouth was designated a "Preserve America Community" by the White House. This award is important because it is for perpetuity and because right now Falmouth is the only town on the Cape to have received this award. Last year we joined nineteen other communities or neighborhoods in Massachusetts that are "Preserve America" communities or neighborhoods. This award is a tribute to the Town's historical organizations and individuals who have helped to keep our town's history preserved and relevant for us and for the future.
Our town is alive with stories of heroes and common folk - whalers and fishermen and farmers - who built their own homes and made their living here in a variety of trades and professions, from salt-making and growing strawberries to processing guano for fertilizer, brick-making and cranberry-growing. This award is a tribute to those who have lived here over 350 years, who have lent their time towards the preservation of our past, who have physically toiled on the upkeep and restoration of our historic buildings, who staff historical organizations and committees, who serve as docents and volunteering for special events, who donate to the preservation of our town - too many to mention here by name, but who are thanked for their selfless efforts to remember Falmouth roots and Falmouth historical events.
To celebrate this award,
- Falmouth Selectmen designated November 2009 "Historic Preservation Month".
- The Falmouth Enterprise sponsored the purchase of "Preserve America" banners flew on Main Street during November.
- On Sunday, November 15th last year, the public was invited to a free, rain-or-shine Award Ceremony at Highfield Hall, followed by informal tours of some of our historical organizations, buildings and two farms. Each location was staffed by volunteers so residents and visitors could learn more about Falmouth's history.
- Highfield Hall
- Museums on the Green
- Falmouth Chamber of Commerce, 20 Academy Lane off Main Street
- Odd Fellows Hall in Town Hall Square
- Falmouth Poor House, now the Edward Marks, Jr. Building, at 744 Main Street, adjacent to the Methodist Cemetery
- Methodist Society Burying Ground, Main Street, next to the Gus Canty Center
- Peterson Farm, 109 McClellan Drive Falmouth, off Woods Hole Road
- Emerald House, Davisville Road, next to East Falmouth Elementary School.
- Waquoit Congregational Church, 15 Parsons Lane, facing Route 28 in Waquoit Historic District
- Emerson House, 554 West Falmouth Highway, opposite the Library
- West Falmouth Library
- West Falmouth United Methodist Church, 636 West Falmouth Highway
- Bourne Farm, 6 North Falmouth Highway, Route 28A at Thomas Landers Road
Participating Organizations included:
Falmouth
East Falmouth
West Falmouth
Woods Hole
Going forward, it is our collective intention as a town to honor the "Preserve America" designation by continuing our preservation efforts, by strengthening our outreach for heritage tourism and by seeking funding sources to support our energy and love of regional history. We understand that historic preservation is a cornerstone to our economic health as well as to our love of culture. We aspire to connect our local residents to their history and encourage visitors from afar to enjoy our town as much as we do.