Today, this sea captain’s home, the only one on Cape Cod regularly open to
visitors, provides an intimate glance into 19th century family life. The
parlors are arranged as if the captain was just returning from his voyage to
China, likely 16 to 18 months duration. His gifts of silk fabric, toys,
porcelain, lacquered pieces and tea are on display as well as costumes from
the period. Knowledgeable docents lead guided tours of the museum and relate
lively stories of Yarmouth captains’ hair-raising adventures at sea. New
this year is a gentleman’s study and a refurbished dining room. In the
basement of the original house, a special exhibit of an 18th century kitchen
features an extensive collection of early lighting fixtures.
Prominent in the Maritime Room hangs a large oil painting of the clipper
ship The Red Jacket by artist Axel William Torgerson. The Red Jacket’s first
commander was a Yarmouth captain, Asa Eldredge. In this room one will see
artifacts, other marine paintings, ship models and antique navigational
equipment.
The Captain Bangs Hallet House was built by a member of the Thacher family
around the year 1840. Incorporating an older structure to the rear, the
house has an unusual floor plan and a unique cellar kitchen. After the
Thacher family, the house was occupied by the family of Captain Allen
Hinckley Knowles, one of Yarmouth's better known clipper ship captains and
skipper of the famous Donald McKay ship Chariot of Fame. In 1863, Knowles
swapped homes with Captain Bangs Hallet who had recently retired from a long
and illustrious career at sea. Bangs and Anna Hallet occupied their
retirement home until their deaths in the late 19th century.
HOURS
The house is open on Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday, June 1 through October
15, with tours at 1, 2
& 3 p.m.
ADMISSION
$3.00 for adults and 50 cents for children. Yarmouth residents and HSOY
members free.
DIRECTIONS
Located on the Strawberry Lane Common, just off Route 6A in Yarmouth Port.
From Route 6 take exit 7. Right on Willow street to Route 6A. Right on 6A
about a mile, past the Yarmouth Port Post Office. Turn right onto
Strawberry Lane (the Common). The Bangs Hallet House is the second house on
the right.