Town Historian to speak on Cuttyhunk and Elizabeth Islands
Seth Mendell was 6 years old the first time he was on Cuttyhunk. It is a memory still clear today and one which may have sparked an interest in the history of Cuttyhunk and the Elizabeth Islands.
Mr. Mendell, a 6th or 7th generational descendent of the Mattapoisett Mendell family, is the President of the Mattapoisett Historical Society and the official Town Historian. A history teacher for 35 years at Avon Old Farms School in Avon, Conn, researching the history of the islands came naturally to him. As Mr. Mendell said “after 20 chapters of a book not written” about Mattapoisett, his curious mind turned to the Elizabeth Islands and Cuttyhunk.
On October 14, 2011 the Sippican Woman’s Club will have a presentation by Mr. Mendell tracing Cuttyhunk’s history dating back to mariner Bartholmew Gosnold’s landing on the island in 1602. His lecture will also include some interesting historical facts about Naushon Island, Tarpaulin Cove , the early tenant farmers, and fishing clubs for the wealthy. He will conclude his remarks with the disastrous wreck of the “Wanderer” on Cuttyhunk’s rocky shores on August 26th,1924.
The Sippican Woman’s Club meets on the 2nd Friday of the month, at 12:30 p.m. Each program begins with a finger food luncheon, and is normally held at Handy’s Tavern, 152 Front Street, Marion. Guests and new members are always welcome!
You can also visit sippicanwomansclub.org.
