Frequently Asked Questions -- FAQs

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Reservations are available in 15 minute intervals from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Each reservation can accommodate up to six people. However, to meet the social distancing guidelines, only members of a single family or close friends should reserve positions in the same 15 minute reservation. Visitors in one party MAY NOT join another party’s reservation. Instead, each party should reserve their own 15 minute reservation time, regardless of how many people are in their party or how many positions are available in another reservation.  

Online reservations can be made any time up until 9:00 AM of the day of visit. After 9:00 AM visitors can call the museum (508-362-8521) or stop in to make a reservation for later that day.

Any reservations made before 9:00AM of the day you want to visit MUST be made using the online reservation system.  After 9:00 AM you may walk  in or call the Museum  (508-362-8521) to make a reservation for any time periods not previously made online.  You will be required to pay admission and provide contact tracing information upon arrival for your visit.

Yes.  In order to meet the Commonwealth's Contact Tracing guidelines, you must provide contact information when making a reservation.  (Note the Museum DOES NOT have any access to credit card information used to purchase online advance reservations.)  If you make a walk-in or call-in reservation you will be asked to complete a small Contact Tracing Information form when you arrive to start your tour.

Maximum capacity of the Museum is 20 visitors. If needed, reservation start times may need to be adjusted to adhere to this requirement,

Each floor of the Museum is divided into five distinct display areas as marked on the floor. Each display area can accommodate visiting parties of up to six family members or close friends. Each party is asked to wait until the previous party vacates the next display area before proceeding into it.

The Museum is completely contained within the two stories of the Old Barnstable U.S. Customs House. As the building is a registered historical landmark, only minimum changes can be made to it. As a result, there is wheelchair access to all of the first floor, including the restroom, but not the second floor. A video showing the upstairs displays is available for people who cannot or prefer not to negotiate the stairs to the second floor.

The system is offered free of charge to all visitors. Each visitor is given a handset to use. With earphones two persons can share a single handset. Small cards located throughout the Museum display areas provide reference numbers for the audio tour system. Visitors can pick and enter which commentaries they would like to hear. After each visitor, the handsets are cleaned with a sanitary disinfectant wipes. Use of the audio tour system is not required for full enjoyment of the Museum.

Yes. One of the marked display areas on the first floor includes a small gift shop. Visitors are asked to wear gloves (provided, if needed) when handling any gift shop merchandise. Minimum handling of the merchandise and funds is practiced when making a purchase. We accept cash, checks and credit cards.

General parking is available on the premises and just a short walk from the building. Handicap parking is available near the back entrance handicap ramp. 

The Museum displays include varied artifacts, models, photographs and videos  With two floors and 10 display areas in over 2,700 square feet, you should plan to spend about an hour to get the most out of the Museum, but visitors are welcome to stay as long or short of a time as they like.  An audio tour system is available free of charge, but is not required to get the full benefit of the Museum.  Most displays are clearly documented and some have videos.

Yes.  Check our ad in the Guidebook of Cape Cod, Kids on the Cape Guidebook, or the Best Read Guide Cape Cod and enter the red three letter code in the Coupon field during online reservation check-out.