Summer at the State Library: Cape Coddities, Trail Maps, Novels, and More!

Summer is officially here! And the State Library has something for everyone to read and enjoy. Stop by the reading room (room 341 of the State House) to check out our latest display on the Cape and Islands. We have selected some unique titles from the collection which highlight Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard - popular vacation spots for many New Englanders! 

Cape Cod Old Salt, 1935 - Published by the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce and the Hyannis Board of Trade in support of the Cape Cod Canal Bridges, this pamphlet offers a collection of photographs of “old Cape Cod.” Of particular interest, there is a photo of the Legislature’s Committee on Railroads visiting Hyannis in 1896 (p. 7). Throughout the pamphlet are vintage advertisements for everything from theaters, to inns, ice cream shops, to general stores all located down the Cape.

Cape Cod IQ - Test your Cape Cod knowledge with this 1951 pamphlet which cost only 35 cents! This fun little pamphlet includes over 250 questions and answers as well as some Cape Cod lore. Here’s two questions from the pamphlet: In what town does the eastern entrance to the Cape Cod Canal lie? What town was the site of the Marconi wireless station?

Answers at the end of this blog post!

Nantucket, 1925 - We love this colorful pamphlet by Walter Prichard Eaton with illustrations by John Held Jr. The pamphlet includes a history of the island written by Prichard, with points of interest, details of the island’s architecture, beaches, popular sports, with fun illustrations and photos throughout.  

Cape Coddities - This 1920 book by Dennis and Marion Chatham (a fitting last name) is a collection of essays that “should not be taken as a serious attempt to describe the Cape..” Included are quirky essays on scallop farming, the Cape’s freshwater ponds, cottages and more. 

We hope these items inspire your next beach trip or bring about a sense of nostalgia for past summer trips.

Speaking of beach trips - looking for a good book to bring to the beach? State Employees, come check-out some of our latest titles or use your State Library card to download Libby and read ebooks no matter where you go this summer. Non-state employees, if you’re looking for a spot to cool down, the library is open, Monday through Friday, 9-5. 

In addition, reference services are available for all your research needs whether you are an intern or taking a summer course, we are here to help you navigate legislative materials. Contact us via email at reference.department@mass.gov. 

Answers: Sandwich and Wellfleet

April Pascucci 
Legislative Librarian

Hopping into Spring!

Happy Spring! Did you know that Massachusetts was home to beloved naturalist and author Thornton Burgess. Born in Sandwich in 1874, Burgess was responsible for writing over 170 children’s books inspired by the woodland creatures native to the Cape Cod area. His most famous character being Peter Cottontail, from his 1914 book, The Adventures of Peter Cottontail. This is not to be confused with Beatrix Potter’s rendition of Peter Rabbit.

Peter Cottontail as illustrated by Harrison Cady.
Image courtesy of Thornton Burgess Society.

Throughout his 50 year career, Burgess contributed to his Old Mother West Wind series with characters known as Jerry Muskrat, Bobby Raccoon, Spotty the Turtle, among others. However, it was illustrator, Harrison Cady, who brought these characters to life. Another Massachusetts native, Cady was born in Gardner in 1877. Burgess and Cady would go on to have a lasting business partnership and friendship.

Today, the Thornton Burgess Society along with the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, work to preserve and carry-on the mission of Burgess to instill an appreciation for nature among our communities. For more information, see www.thorntonburgess.org.

For continued reading held in the State Library’s collection:

• Lovell, Russell, and Ralph Titcomb. The Cape Cod Story of Thornton W. Burgess. 1st ed., Town of Sandwich, 1974.
• Meigs, Frances. My Grandfather, Thornton W. Burgess. Commonwealth Editions, 1998.

April Pascucci

Reference Staff