Old Harbor Life-Saving Station

Old Harbor Life-Saving Station in present day.

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

Race Point Beach, Provincetown, MA

Significance:

Last Remaining Life-Saving Station on Cape Cod

Designation:

1897

OPEN TO PUBLIC:

No

Amenities

3 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board, Parking - Auto

The Old Harbor U.S. Life Saving Station is a historic maritime rescue station and museum, located at Race Point Beach in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Built in 1897, it was originally located at Nauset Beach near the entrance to Chatham Harbor in Chatham, Massachusetts. It was used by the United States Life-Saving Service (USLSS), and then by its successor, the United States Coast Guard (USCG), as the Old Harbor Coast Guard Station. The station was decommissioned in 1944, abandoned and sold as surplus in 1947, and was used as a private residence for the next twenty-six years.

In the summer, the "Beach Apparatus Drills" are conducted on the grounds on Thursday evenings.

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 Lifesaving Station is open May-September annually, Friday-Monday, 2-4 pm. **The passport stamp is only available when the station is open.**