Historic Provincetown, Massachusetts
Provincetown’s rich history as one of the nation’s largest art community dates back to 1899 when Charles W. Hawthorne founded the Cape Cod School of Art, and, for 30 summers, Hawthorne taught plein air painting. Hans Hoffman, Franz Kline, Mark Rothko, Blanche Lazzell, Milton Avery, Jack Tworkov, Robert Motherwell and Edward Hopper are a handful of the well-known artists with strong ties to the tip of Cape Cod. Provincetown is also closely associated with the birth of modern American Theatre with Eugene O’Neill’s production in 1915 of his first play Bound East for Cardiff. The area’s stunning wind-swept dunes, picturesque wharves, and sailing ships quickly captured the imagination of artists, drawing them to Provincetown to find inspiration and bring their creative visions to life.
Provincetown is a charming New England town located at the very tip of Cape Cod in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. With a year-round population of 3,664 (according to the 2020 U.S. Census), this small coastal resort town can swell to as many as 60,000 during the summer months. Its lively and steadfast Portuguese community celebrates its heritage, its music, and its delicious cuisine in June, with parades and dancers in the Portuguese Festival and the breathtaking Blessing of the Fleet. Provincetown celebrates the joie de vivre and dynamic gay, lesbian, and transvestite community throughout the year but, especially during August, with its spectacularly flamboyant Carnival Week, marked by magnificently decorated glitzy floats in a parade of vibrant music, fabulous dancers and bedecked and festooned participants. Provincetown is renowned for its beautiful beaches, scenic harbor, vibrant arts community and thriving tourism industry, making it a popular destination for visitors from all over.
The Pilgrim Monument, shown here, is the tallest granite structure in America, designed in 1910 by William Sears and it is a 252-foot-7½ inch-tall campanile, with an amazing 60 ramps. It commemorates the Pilgrim’s First Landing in America in November 1620, the first soil the Pilgrims stepped upon and astonishingly stayed for five weeks. The Mayflower arrived on Provincetown’s shore and on November 21, 1620, aboard ship in Provincetown Harbor, the historic Mayflower Compact was signed by 41 men, as the 60 other passengers stood by. It affirmed individual freedom and communal responsibility. This coastal town is a hidden gem, known for its stunning beaches and vibrant guest houses, boutiques inns, and quaint shops. Renowned as a favorite LGBTQ destination, Provincetown is an astounding place that celebrates individuality and freedom of expression.
Located at the very tip of Cape Cod—the rim of sand with no next step—this town is a picturesque and remote destination that has long inspired a thriving and celebrated artist community. As one of America’s oldest artist colonies, it is home to a rich array of galleries, innovative theater, fine arts writing classes, and eclectic shops and fabulous restaurants. Provincetown’s welcoming and inclusive atmosphere makes it a beloved haven for many, drawn to its remarkable spirit of acceptance and individuality.
