Scituate offers visitors more than just a lovely coastline with fabulous views, it’s also home to art galleries and town landmarks rich with historical significance. If you’re spending one day or the entire summer in this seaside town, you have lots of options to soak up all that Scituate has to offer. Here are a few highlights worth exploring.
Old Scituate Lighthouse
100 Lighthouse Rd. / scituatehistoricalsociety.org
With its classic design and storied past, no trip to Scituate would be complete without a visit to Scituate Lighthouse. This iconic landmark was commissioned by U.S. Congress and built in 1810. Captain Simeon Bates was the first lightkeeper and lived in the adjacent quarters with his wife and nine children. According to the Scituate Historical Society, two of his daughters helped protect the town from attack during the War of 1812 when…
“Noting the approach of two Redcoat-filled barges from a British ship of war hovering off-shore, the girls snatched a fife and drum. Hiding behind a thick cluster of cedar trees, they made such a din that the British mistook them for an entire regiment and made a hasty retreat. Abigail and Rebecca Bates have gone down in history as the fabled “American Army of Two”, the subject of many storybooks and legend.”
Whether or not you believe that two young girls could ward off a British attack, there’s no denying that the views from the lighthouse are spectacular! The lighthouse itself is open to the public several times a year, but you can stroll around it and onto the breakwater any time of year.
Lawson Tower
Lawson Tower, a stately shingled structure in the center of Scituate, calls to mind the turret of a European castle. It was built in 1902 to enclose a water tank so wealthy Boston businessman, Thomas Lawson, would not have to look upon it from the estate he was building nearby. Lawson also commissioned a foundry to install 10 bells at the top of the tower—the largest weighing in at 3,000 pounds! It has since earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. On certain weekends, Lawson Tower is open to the public and offers panoramic views of the South Shore to anyone who is willing to climb the 123 narrow, spiral steps to the top. There are also scheduled carillon concerts that make for a fun and unique way to listen to a medley of songs. Upcoming concerts will take place on July 4th, August 7th, October 30th, and December 18th.
This year Full Moon Tower Tours will also be offered by the Scituate Historical Society. You can climb to the top where members of the South Shore Astronomical Society will have telescopes available for viewing the night sky. Full Moon Tours will take place, on June 14th and July 13th, weather permitting. To learn more and register, email GAR Hall Events.
History buffs can learn more about Lawson Tower by visiting the Scituate Historical Society website.
Ellis Estate
709 Country Way / scituatehistoricalsociety.org
The Ellis Estate, now home to the Scituate Arts Association (SAA), is made up of art studios, classrooms, and gallery space, but like most landmarks in Scituate, it also has a story to tell. Built in 1830 by John Wade Bailey, the property was originally called Elm Heights because of an elm tree on the land that was so large that “mariners at sea took their positions from it.” At that time, the property had a clear view of the ocean.
The name was later changed to Ellsberg by Bailey’s grandson. “Ells” an homage to his wife’s family name and “berg” is Latin for hill. The Bailey and Ellis families owned the property until 1969 when it was sold to the town. In 2015, the town voted to place the estate in conservation. Now the estate comprises 96 acres of woodlands surrounding the historic home. Well-marked trails on the upper loop near the estate are easy, level walking paths, while the lower trails have a slight pitch to them. Unfortunately, the sea views are now obscured by 100 years of tree growth, but the local birds, deer, and small animals that inhabit the woods are not complaining!
The Front Street Art Gallery
124 Front St. / frontstreetartgallery.com
If you like to support local artists, then a visit to Front Street Art Gallery should be on your list of things to do while in Scituate. Located in scenic Scituate Harbor, this juried co-op gallery is home to some of the best artwork the local arts community has to offer. Approximately 20 accomplished artists and artisans are represented here, and many special shows and exhibits are on display throughout the year. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 12 – 5pm, or by appointment.
The Maritime & Irish Mossing Museum
301 Driftway / scituatehistoricalsociety.org
Scituate’s Maritime & Irish Mossing Museum was established in 1994 but is located in a structure that predates the American Revolution and was the former home of Captain Benjamin James. So much history is housed in this small museum that it has been featured in Smithsonian Magazine, The History Channel, and The Discovery Channel.
Six exhibits provide a treasure trove of interesting, and sometimes little-known, facts about shipwrecks along this stretch of dangerous coastline; the Portland Gale, a storm that devasted the area in 1898; and lifesaving measures that were undertaken by fearless volunteers. There are also exhibits on shipbuilding and a ship captain’s room which let you look back in time to what a ship captain’s life was like during that era.
Lastly, there is an exhibit devoted to the business of Irish Mossing. Never heard of it? You’re not alone, but this industry made a big impact on Scituate. In the mid 1800s, Daniel Ward, a fisherman and Irish immigrant, spotted carrageen (Irish moss) below the ocean surface. Back in his homeland of Ireland, this special type of seaweed was harvested and used to give pudding its smooth consistency and to clarify beer—today it’s used in everything from toothpaste to almond milk. Ward seized the opportunity to start the industry here in America and soon Irish immigrants fleeing the Potato Famine were coming to the area in droves. The industry thrived well into the 1960s, but its legacy will always be having established Scituate as the “most Irish town in America.”
Stop in for a visit and you’ll travel back in time while poring over nautical artifacts and treasures wrested from the murky depths. The museum is open to the public on Sundays, 1-3pm.
South Shore Irish Heritage Trail
Weymouth to Plymouth / South Shore Irish Heritage Trail
This new attraction just held its ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 22, 2022. The South Shore Irish Heritage Trail (SSIHT) was inspired by the Wild Atlantic Trail in Ireland and the Irish Heritage Trail in Boston. The South Shore version meanders its way through nine towns starting in Weymouth and ending in Plymouth and highlights the most Irish area of our country. This project aims to celebrate how Irish contributions molded life on the South Shore. To learn more about the South Shore Irish Heritage Trail, visit ssirishtrail.org.
Scituate is fortunate to have a community that values its heritage and is committed to preserving these historic treasures for future generations. Devoted organizations like the Scituate Historical Society and Scituate Chamber of Commerce are regularly promoting events to engage both residents and visitors alike, so check their websites regularly for updates. Also visit Scituate Oceanside Rentals to find your ideal lodging so you can relax and recharge after a full day of sightseeing.
Get Out on the Water
While rich in history, Scituate is a coastal town and if you visit during the warmer months, take advantage of the opportunity to get out on the water. There are lots of options from fishing charters and whale watching excursions, to sunset cruises and harbor tours. Scituate’s location provides easy access to some of the best fishing and whale watching the area has to offer thanks to its proximity to Stellwagen Bank, a national marine sanctuary located between Cape Ann and Cape Cod. If a day (or half day) at sea is on your summer bucket list, book a trip on one of these local charters.
Scituate is fortunate to have a community that values its heritage and natural beauty and is committed to preserving these treasures for future generations. Devoted organizations like the Scituate Historical Society and Scituate Chamber of Commerce are regularly promoting events to engage both residents and visitors alike, so check their websites regularly for updates. Also visit Scituate Oceanside Rentals to find your ideal lodging so you can relax and recharge after a full day of sightseeing and be ready for tomorrow’s adventures.
