Historical Archives

In the spring of 1644 some members of the  Church of  New Plymouth decided to move west to "Nausett".   In June, 1644 this committee purchased a large tract of land from the Native Americans for "moose-skins, Indian boats,  wampam, l ittle knives" etc.   Today this tract of land comprises the towns of Orleans, Eastham and Wellfleet. 

The settlers were Thomas Prence, Nicholas Snow, John Doane, Edward Bangs, Josiah Cooke, Richard Higgins, John Smalley, Samuel Hicks, John Jenkins, Robert Wixon, Joseph Rogers, John Freeman, Thomas Williams, and Thomas Roberts.

The library has an extensive genealogy and local history collection and subscribes to a number of online genealogy resources.  The archives of the Eastham Historical Society, which include many primary source materials, are stored in the Vivian Andrist Room (access by appointment).

The town has assembled several resources on Eastham history on the town web site.  They can be viewed  here.

Our library building has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.