Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum

          The Pilgrim Monument tower as seen from the Provincetown harbor

Each year on April 1, The Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum, out on the tip of the Cape, opens the summer season.  The tall spire of this well-known monument can be seen from all over Cape Cod on clear days.

Pilgrim Monument’s History

The Pilgrim Monument was built to commemorate the landing of the Mayflower at what is now Provincetown in 1620. They left this part of Cape Cod after 5 weeks of exploration, and sailed on to Plymouth where they settled permanently.

Constructed by the Cape Cod Pilgrim Memorial Association the monument opened in 1910 becoming the Cape’s first museum

 The Pilgrim Monument Tower

When you visit be sure to climb the 252 feet tower. It’s worth the effort for the views over the harbor and far beyond. The Pilgrim Monument tower is also used as a haze and fog barometer in other areas around Cape Cod Bay. If you can see the tower from the beaches it’s a clear day.

The Provincetown Museum

Be sure to spend some time in the museum at the base of the Pilgrim Monument tower. View the diorama commemorating the signing of the Mayflower Compact or find out about the history of town meetings. Learn more about Provincetown and its people through the ages.

Yearly Special Exhibits

In 2010 the 100th anniversary of the dedication and opening of the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum will be celebrated. The special exhibit, 100 Views, features one hundred images of the monument through various artworks and decorative objects. The 100th anniversary dedication will take place on August 5th.

The Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum High Pole Hill Road Provincetown, MA 508-487-1310

Open April 1 to October 31, 9am – 5pm.  June 1 to September 15 the museum stays open until 7 pm. There is a small admission fee.

Directions: From Route 6 take the second Provincetown exit (the only traffic light) onto Conwell Street. Where it dead ends go right onto Bradford Street. Then right onto Winslow. The Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum parking lot is on the right.