2011 Cotuit Chronicles

Cotuit Historical Society Lecture Series
Held every third Wednesday of the month
7 pm, Cotuit Library, 871 Main Street
Members free, Non-members $3

June 15th
Cotuit Whaling Families
Presenter: Ken Molloy
The Coleman and Nickerson families were prominent in building the communities of Cotuit Port and Cotuit Highground. They owned stores and hotels and built beautiful homes. Local schools and churches benefited from their generosity. The whaling voyages of the Colemans and Nickersons are legendary--whaling wives and children, Yemen pirates, disasters in the Arctic. This Chronicles' talk explores the Colemans and Nickersons and follows their whaling exploits around the globe.

July 20th
Mariners' Lodge: 140 Years in Cotuit
Presenters: Tom, Mike, and Al
Cotuit's oldest organization, Mariners' Lodge, has extended fellowship and charity--through depression, war, and changing times--within the village of Cotuit and beyond, over almost a century and a half.  A program on how the Masonic spirit, which has inspired a number of presidents, scientists, astronauts and musical composers, has also played out in the lives of Masons in one small New England village.

August 17th
Cranberries and Painters: The Ryder and Harlow Families
Presenter: Richard Kornblum and Jim Gould
Our presenters will tell the story of two families that dominated the cranberry business in Cotuit and Mashpee, and also became our major butchers. They will also describe also how the Ryders started painting figureheads for Cotuit-built schooners, and became the main house painting family of the village.  This talk will be illustrated by photos that have not been seen by the public. 

September 21st
Congressman Charles L. Gifford
Presenter: Jacqueline Zenopoulos
Treaured memoirs of Charles L. Gifford from the lens of a close family member.  A relative for whom "Charlie Gifford" was a role model for life.  Historical and numerous memorabila about a man who loved politics, people and his property on the water in Cotuit.