• Atlantic Ocean beach at Cape Cod National Seashore

    Cape Cod

    National Seashore Massachusetts

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  • Access at seashore locations; reduction in programming

    Stairs at Marconi Beach are being constructed, and the beach will remain closed until late June. Parts of the Nauset Marsh and Red Maple Swamp trails are closed. More »

Old Harbor Life-Saving Station

Old Harbor Life-Saving Station, Race Point, Provincetown

Old Harbor Life-Saving Station, off Race Point, Provincetown

Old Harbor Life-Saving Station was built in Chatham in 1897. The station was operated by the U.S. Coast Guard, and its precurser the U.S. Life-Saving Service, until it was decommissioned in July 1944. The building was later obtained by the National Park Service, and in November 1977, it was moved by barge to Provincetown. In summer, breeches buoy rescue re-enactments are conducted on the grounds on Thursday evenings.

A Guide to Old Harbor Life-Saving Station
history and station use

An Introduction to the United States Life-Saving Service
(.wmv file, 4:20 minutes)

Life and Service of a Surfman
(.wmv file, 3:39 minutes)

Old Harbor Life-Saving Station Historic Structure Report

Did You Know?

Carns Site archeology dig, Eastham, MA

In 1990, an intense series of storms uncovered a prehistoric site on Coast Guard Beach in Eastham, MA. Archaeologists excavated the Carns Site, which was lived in by native peoples during the Early and Middle Woodland period, or approximately 2,100 to 1,100 years ago.