ARTICLE
April 7, 2022 (Cotuit, Massachusetts) The Cahoon Museum of American Art announced today it has acquired the historic Crocker homestead at 4698 Falmouth Road, adjacent to the museum site. The property is one of six original Crocker homes, of which the museum is another, dating from the mid-to-late 18th century along the old stage road from Falmouth to Hyannis. The purchase of the 1.9-acre property, complete with the original house, outbuildings, and a landscaped garden, will expand the museum’s mission of creating more meaningful and engaging art experiences for visitors. “Our Board and staff see this purchase as an extraordinary opportunity to build upon the museum’s growing strengths as a regional arts organization deeply rooted in the special heritage of Cape Cod,” says Dr. Sarah Johnson, executive director of the museum. “We are excited about the possibilities and will soon be engaging members, donors and friends in a strategic planning process and a fund development plan to support the best use of the combined properties.” The museum will begin planning the next steps which will include input from stakeholders and community leaders over the next several months. Expanded facilities for educational programs, new galleries for exhibits, space for events and gatherings of museum friends and community groups, and a garden for reflection and refreshment are among the ideas museum leaders are hoping to explore. “We see this beautiful addition to the Cahoon Museum as a commitment to create a richer arts experience for our community, and to preserve an historic structure that embodies the character of Cotuit and Cape Cod,” says Board Chair Jessica Rapp Grassetti. “We believe the past and present are in dialogue through art, architecture, and the natural environment.” The 4698 Falmouth Road property remained in the Crocker family for several generations, and most recently had been home to Sow’s Ear Antiques. Its prominent location at the corner of Main Street and Route 28 in Cotuit makes for an attractive and highly visible combined parcel along a busy roadway connecting upper- and mid-Cape communities. “In the last several years, the Cahoon Museum has expanded its educational and public program offerings, including a high-caliber series of art exhibitions,” says Johnson. “We have connected the Museum’s historical collections with contemporary art and ideas and have experimented with making the permanent collection and gallery spaces into more dynamic experiences. Contemporary artists have explored connections between natural resources of Cape Cod and the arts. We have colored trees blue (safely!) and hosted exciting installations. We took risks and had fun. With this new property we plan to continue the adventure of sharing American arts on a new campus that is itself an important American story.”