Camp Candoit Joseph Yukna, Co-Founder, Cape Cod Military Museum
June 14 | Cotuit Library | 7 PM The peaceful waters of Cotuit Bay seemed far removed from the battles of WWII, but it led the way to the beaches of North Africa, New Guinea and for the invasion of Japan, with Camp CandoIt being the connecting link.
The Engineer Amphibious Command, formed in 1942 at Camp Edwards, MA, had three satellite camps located in Cotuit, Osterville and Popponesset. These camps were set up to train Army personnel in amphibious doctrine, utilizing local boat yards and local citizens experienced with the building, maintenance and skills required in operating small boats under 100 ft in length.
Come hear about the history of Cotuit’s Camp Candoit, which was located where present day Cotuit Bay Shores now stands. This first Chronicles presentation of 2018 will kick off HSSC’s special exhibit at the Museum which highlights memorabilia from the Camp.
Now More Than Ever: Bobby Kennedy's Legacy 50 years After His Death. Larry Tye, author and journalist
July 19 | Cotuit Library | 7 PM History remembers Robert F. Kennedy as a racial healer, a tribune for the poor, and the last progressive knight of a bygone era of American politics. But Kennedy’s enshrinement in the liberal pantheon was actually the final stage of a journey that had its beginnings in the conservative 1950s. He'll also discuss the central role Cape Cod played not just in Bobby's rearing, but in his public life.
Larry Tye, former award-winning journalist at the Boston Globe, is a New York Times bestselling author whose most recent book is a biography of Robert F. Kennedy, the former attorney general, U.S. senator, and presidential candidate. Bobby Kennedy: The Making of a Liberal Icon explores RFK’s extraordinary transformation from cold warrior to fiery leftist.
History of the Falmouth Road Race Paul Clerici
August 9 | Cotuit Library | 7 PM The seven-mile Falmouth Road Race catapulted Cape Cod onto the running radar. Frank Shorter winning gold in the 1972 Olympic marathon inspired local barkeep Tommy Leonard to start a race in his own town. That inaugural race in 1973 garnered fewer than one hundred runners. Participation soon swelled to the thousands, thanks to the success of organizers, volunteers, and talented fields, including running legends like Bill Rodgers and Catherine Ndereba, as well as wheelchair champions Bob Hall and Tatyana McFadden.
Paul C. Clerici, a freelance writer and former newspaper editor, has covered the sport of running for over 30 years, including the Boston Marathon since 1988. He has been a marathon runner for over 35 years. His book, “The History of the Falmouth Road Race” takes a look at this local race's history from the early stages of the running boom to resetting the road-racing calendar.
The History of Cape Cod Aviation Nancy Viall Shoemaker, Historian
September 20 | Cotuit Library | 7 PM Cape Cod’s rich aviation history dates back to 1917 with the Chatham Naval Air Station that served as a base for blimps during World War I. The first air craft to fly non-stop over the Atlantic was a seaplane, the NC-4, that stopped in Pleasant Bay for repairs in 1919.
Cape Cod’s first airfield was built in Hyannis in 1928 and was a huge success. Learn about the colorful aviators of that time, from local girl “Tailspin” Kelley to Boardman & Polando who trained in Hyannis for their record-breaking Transatlantic flight to Istanbul. There was a glider pilot school - the first in America - in Truro in 1928! From Provincetown to Falmouth, Cape Cod has hosted the pioneers, the experts in aviation and continues to boast state-of-the art fields with Barnstable Municipal Airport as its center
Nancy Viall Shoemaker, owner of West Barnstable Press, is the historian of the Barnstable and West Barnstable Historical Societies and is a board member of the Coast Guard Heritage Museum and the 1717 Meetinghouse Foundation. Nancy is also the Historian for Barnstable Municipal Airport.
Massachusetts: The Birthplace of the US Coast Guard Greg Ketchen, President, Coast Guard Heritage Museum
October 18 | Cotuit Library | 7 PM The Coast Guard can trace its origins back to eighteenth century maritime activities along our state’s coast. The U.S. Lighthouse Service, U.S. Lifesaving Service and the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service were the predecessor organizations that became the modern Coast Guard. All three can call Massachusetts their birthplace. Cape Cod specifically can be proud of its role in the early legacy of this service including lighthouses, heroic rescues (Pendleton, City of Columbus, Andrea Doria, Argo Merchant), and our earliest aviation history.
Greg Ketchen is a retired U.S. Coast Guard Captain living in Osterville. He is currently serving as the president of the Coast Guard Heritage Museum located in Barnstable’s Old Customs House, a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating the Coast Guard’s rich history, particularly here on Cape Cod.
