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PROVINCETOWN GUIDE
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| DIRECTORY |
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Provincetown :: Monday, March 15th 2010
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Happy Birthday Truro!
300 Years and Counting
By Steve Desroches of Provincetown Magazine
July 16th, 2009
The town of Truro was almost known as Dangerfield. And sometimes, like the comedian with the same name, the beautiful, small town “gets no respect” as its flashy, and noisier, neighbor to the North can often times hog the spotlight. But this year, and more specifically this week, Truro takes center stage as it celebrates its tercentennial with a long list of events, celebrations, and commemorations.
| “What better way to celebrate than to read the original proclamation, listen to a band concert and share a very big birthday cake,” says the Truro 300 organizing committee. |
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Truro has a fascinating history, and a current commitment to preserving what is special about the place many call “the last rural town on Cape Cod.” Its population of just over 2,000 year-round residents, with thousands more seasonal visitors and tourists, is committed to maintaining the unique character of the town as well as the preservation of its natural environment. The Truro 300 celebration reflects that commitment.
When the Pilgrims landed in Provincetown in 1620, the area later known as Truro became important historically as the weary Mayflower passengers found, and helped themselves to, a cache of corn left by Native Americans in the area now known as Corn Hill.
By 1692, the area of what is now both Provincetown and Truro was organized as the “Provincelands” under the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The independent streak in Truro, which is still present to this day, emerged early, and by 1705 the territory of Pamet was allowed to choose its own governing officials. Then on July 16, 1709, the general court of Massachusetts recognized the incorporation of the town of Truro, which navigators and seamen called Dangerfield, a nickname not recognized by its residents.
There was a catch to the newfound independence, though. The area, which is now Provincetown, remained unincorporated, and a bit wild and ungovernable. In 1714, the state essentially ordered the Town of Truro to be its caretaker when the area was named a “precinct of Cape Cod.”
Truro was not happy. The town wrote to the state government asking that Provincetown “be declared either a part of Truro or not a part of Truro, that the Town may know how to act in regard to some persons,” according to several historical accounts. Miffed by the Cape tip’s lawless ways, Truro also asked why Provincetown “does not entertain a learned orthodox minister of the Gospel to dispense the word of God to them as required by law.” In 1727, Truro got its wish when Provincetown formally incorporated as its own town.
From the start Truro was small and rural, but with a definitive identity and strong character, and the Tercentennial celebration’s events reflect that, starting on the actual anniversary of the incorporation, Thursday, July 16, with the Commemorative Celebration from noon to 2 p.m. at the Cobb Library and Pamet Park.
“What better way to celebrate than to read the original proclamation, listen to a band concert and share a very big birthday cake,” says the Truro 300 organizing committee. “This is the heart of the celebration.”
Music will be provided by the Lower Cape Concert Band and a color guard at the Lewis A. Young Post of the VFW. Later that day, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Snow’s Park there will be a concert by the popular Cape Cod Fiddlers. Known for their spirited music, the Cape Cod Fiddlers incorporate Irish, Scottish, Shetland Isles, Scandinavian, Cape Breton, Quebecois, and American fiddle traditions. Bring a picnic, lawn chairs, and all the kids, and be prepared to dance on the green!
Truro is a fun place to explore with all its nooks and crannies and hidden hollows. So what better way to discover the town than through a town-wide treasure hunt.
On Friday, July 17, check out the eight clues on the Celebration’s Web site: www.Truro300.org. The last and ninth clue will be distributed upon registration beginning at dawn at the Truro Public Library the morning of the hunt. Registration will close at noon. Teams may be formed or not, but only one treasure will be awarded to the person who actually signs the registration form. The treasure is an original painting by Truro’s Tom Watson of the Highland Light Complex. It is presently on display in the library’s display case.
Then at 9 p.m., Truro puts on a spectacular fireworks display, which will be visible from all Truro bay beaches, as well as in Wellfleet and Provincetown.
On Saturday, July 18 from 4 to 9 p.m., meet for an old-fashioned Cape Cod beach party at Corn Hill Beach, where there will be games for kids and the young-at-heart, as well as dancing and music in the parking lot.
Anxious to learn more about the history of the town, or maybe even take a piece home with you? Stop by the Highland House Museum at 27 Highland Light Road in North Truro where the Truro Historical Society will celebrate the opening of its Historic Map Exhibit and hold a reception and silent auction from 4 to 7 p.m. It’s a rare chance to view some of the historic maps from the Truro Historical Society’s collection. Refreshments will be served at the reception and a chance to participate in a silent auction of artifacts from the museum’s collection.
Come Sunday, the long weekend’s festivities wrap up with a parade starting at 11 a.m. in front of Dutra’s Market and then proceeding down Highland Road as floats, fire trucks, marchers, and special guests (including representatives from sister city, Truro in Cornwall, England) march down the street. The parade ends at the Highlands Center at the Cape Cod National Seashore, where there will be food and fun.
There are many other events throughout not just this weekend, but also the rest of the year that can be found at www.Truro300.org.
Also visit ProvincetownMagazine.net for more articles and information.
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