AROUND CAPE COD
Osterville
Osterville, one of Barnstable’s seven villages, is located on the southern side of the town along Nantucket Sound. Originally inhabited by the Cotochese Native People, the area was named Oyster Island Village by English settlers in 1639. After negotiations in 1648, it was turned over to Plymouth Colony, and the name evolved to Oysterville, later becoming Osterville around 1815. Today, Osterville is a quiet, mostly residential community with a charming commercial district. Crosby Yacht Yard, a staple since 1850, offers boat services and custom sailboats, including John F. Kennedy’s Victura . The Osterville Historical Museum showcases decorative arts, furniture, ceramics, and historic gardens, while Armstrong-Kelley Park features an arboretum and hillside trails.
Dowses Beach on East Bay offers a rock jetty and soft sand, and Joshua’s Pond has a residents- only beach for swimming. The Mass Audubon’s Skunknett River Wildlife Sanctuary provides tree- lined trails, freshwater ponds, and a variety of wildlife, including birds and amphibians. Osterville is also home to the exclusive Wianno and Oyster Harbors clubs, each with private beaches, golf courses, and tennis facilities. Homes range from oceanfront summer properties to large historic estates, reflecting the area’s affluence. With its mix of history, natural beauty, and upscale amenities, Osterville is a distinctive and desirable destination on Cape Cod.
Hyannis
Hyannis, another one of Barnstable’s seven villages, is the transportation and business hub of the Cape. Ferries depart from its harbor for Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard throughout the year and bring close to one million visitors through town. There’s a little bit of everything in the village, from the stores and restaurants along the stretch of Main Street and inside the Cape Cod Mall, to the busy waterfront and downtown area. Hyannis is also home to Cape Cod Hospital, the Cape’s largest medical facility. The active Hyannis Harbor is the largest recreational boating port on the Cape and the second largest commercial fishing port.
Down by the ferry launch, artist shanties in Bismore Park feature the work of rotating artists throughout the summer. Concerts take over the village green as well as the Cape Cod Melody Tent. There are a few beaches in town, such as Kalmus Park Beach and Veterans Beach. The village has its own Cape League baseball team, the Hyannis Harbor Hawks. Living in Hyannis means access to convenience as well as a variety of cultural events and institutions.
Cape Cod Academy is a top-ranked coed college preparatory school for kindergarten through grade twelve. In addition to rigorous academics, this desirable private school offers its students opportunities to participate in a variety of artistic endeavors and engage in numerous sports on extensive fields, courts, indoor gym facilities, and an outdoor swimming pool.
Most people associate Hyannis with the Kennedys. President John F. Kennedy learned that he was elected president while he was at Malcolm Cottage in Hyannisport. While in office, he famously used his house by the compound as his “Summer White House.” The John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum celebrates the legacy of President Kennedy and his relationship with the region.
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