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Museum History
MUSEUM HISTORY
The Coast Guard Heritage Museum at the Trayser opened its doors for the first time in May of 2005. Two former Navy men, CDR Maurice Gibbs (ret) and Lou Cataldo, a local historian, were the driving forces behind the initial idea. CDR Gibbs, President Emeritus of the Nantucket Lifesaving Museum, suggested that the museum should be named in honor of the USCG. The group expanded when three former Coasties - Jim Walker(USCG), of the American Lighthouse Foundation, Albert L. "John" Manning(USCG), and CPO Dan Davidson(USCG) -the last two charter members of the Eastwind Association - came on board. John Manning eventually served as President of the organization. Capt. Robert L. O'Brien (USCG Ret), former comptroller of the USCG, was a charter member.
The museum site is owned by the town of Barnstable, Massachusetts. In addition to the museum building, which is a former US Custom House and was later a Post Office, the property includes the Villige Smithy, a working blacksmith shop with daily demonstrations, and "The Oldest Wooden Jail in America". The Jail was relocated to the site from another site nearby, and has recently been opened to visitors.
Click on "How we began" for a more detailed history.
The Coast Guard Heritage Museum at the Trayser opened its doors for the first time in May of 2005. Two former Navy men, CDR Maurice Gibbs (ret) and Lou Cataldo, a local historian, were the driving forces behind the initial idea. CDR Gibbs, President Emeritus of the Nantucket Lifesaving Museum, suggested that the museum should be named in honor of the USCG. The group expanded when three former Coasties - Jim Walker(USCG), of the American Lighthouse Foundation, Albert L. "John" Manning(USCG), and CPO Dan Davidson(USCG) -the last two charter members of the Eastwind Association - came on board. John Manning eventually served as President of the organization. Capt. Robert L. O'Brien (USCG Ret), former comptroller of the USCG, was a charter member.
The museum site is owned by the town of Barnstable, Massachusetts. In addition to the museum building, which is a former US Custom House and was later a Post Office, the property includes the Villige Smithy, a working blacksmith shop with daily demonstrations, and "The Oldest Wooden Jail in America". The Jail was relocated to the site from another site nearby, and has recently been opened to visitors.
Click on "How we began" for a more detailed history.
We are open Tuesday through Saturday from May to October.
Our hours are 10 AM to 3 PM.
Admission is $5 for adults. Active duty USCG personnel and children under 10 are free.
The Old Jail was constructed sometime in the 1600's. It was moved to the Museum Site in the late 1960's. It has recently opened for visitors due to the efforts of Derek Bartlett of CAIPRS.
For the full story, go to
www.caiprs.com/Theoldjail.htm
For the full story, go to
www.caiprs.com/Theoldjail.htm
