Welcome to the Coast Guard Heritage Museum
Phone: 508-362-8521
Welcome to the Coast Guard Heritage Museum
Phone: 508-362-8521
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Phone: 508-362-8521
Phone: 508-362-8521
We are now open for our 19th Season!
Please come by and see us, and possibly meet our new mascot, "Libby", pictured here. Admission is still only $5; hugs and kisses from Libby are free...
In the meantime, check out our periodic newsletter! The Spring 2023 version will be out soon. Sign up below to get email notification as soon as it is posted.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
The Coast Guard Heritage Museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Our mission is to tell the Coast Guard story from a regional Cape Cod perspective. We are one of only two free-standing museums in the country dedicated to celebrating U.S. Coast Guard history. It is very appropriate that we occupy the 1856 U.S. Customs House in Barnstable. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the birth place of the Coast Guard and both Customs and Coast Guard have 18th century origins under the Treasury Department. Both organizations have worked closely since that time. The service’s legacy on the Cape is very deep and rich. It has protected our shores and harbors, rescued thousands of distressed seamen, saved cargo worth millions of dollars, interdicted illegal drugs, promoted vessel safety, and enforced environmental, fisheries and maritime laws. In short, the Coast Guard has performed and continues to perform critical missions that protect our national interests, promote economic prosperity, and ensure public safety. With over 2700 square feet of display space, we have exhibits filled with historic artifacts, models and stories that celebrate that history. Your admission includes use of a handheld audio tour system, if desired.
The Coast Guard Heritage Museum is located in the historic old Customs House at the corner of Main Street and Millway in Barnstable Village on Cape Cod, MA. Built in 1855 to a design by Ammi Young, it was used as a custom house and post office until 1913, continuing to house the post office and other offices until 1958. It was converted into a museum in 1960, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Regular hours are Tuesdays through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Reservations are not required.
Who said, "You have to go out, but you don't have to come back"? Get answers to this and other information in our Fall 2022 Newsletter - just go to the Newsletter page on this web site and click on the "Fall - 2022 Newsletter" link. This last newsletter has some interesting stories on "The Shipwreck that Changed the Coast Guard", special moments in CG History, some words to live by, and much more. If you enjoy reading it, sign up to get notified by email when our next newsletter is posted. Just enter your email address below and click the "Sign up" button.
We have two full floors of displays and over 2700 square feet of exhibits covering the history of the Coast Guard from its beginnings as the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service and U.S. Life Saving Service through stories about the two Coast Guardsmen that went to space. Come and browse on your own, use our free audio tour system, or have a personal tour by one of our friendly volunteer docents. You won't be disappointed!
3353 Main Street (Route 6A), Barnstable, Massachusetts 02630 United States
Phone: (508) 362-8521 Email: CGHeritage@Comcast.net
Our normal operating schedule for the 2022 season will be Tuesdays through Saturdays. Hours will still be 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Admission will continue to be $5.00 for adults. Children under 10, Active Duty Coast Guard personnel and Museum Members are still free.
As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization the Museum is staffed and operated almost exclusively by volunteers. Our operating funds come solely from admission fees, memberships and donations. Always check with your tax professionals, but in most cases, donations to 501(c)3 non-profit organizations are tax deductible.