Historic site
Cape Cod School of Art
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The Cape Cod School of Art, established by Charles Webster Hawthorne in 1899, was one of the first summer art schools in the United States and a crucible for American Impressionism. Hawthorne taught students to paint en plein air, capturing the unique light and color of Provincetown's harbor and dunes. The school operated from a former fish house on the wharf, where students worked alongside fishermen and locals. Today, the site is marked by a historic plaque, and the school's legacy lives on in the town's vibrant arts scene. Visitors can walk the same streets and beaches that inspired generations of artists, and explore galleries that continue the tradition.
Don't miss
- Find the historic plaque at the original school site on the Provincetown wharf.
- Visit the Provincetown Art Association and Museum to see works by Hawthorne and his students.
- Stroll along Commercial Street to see galleries carrying on the school's plein air tradition.
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Cape Cod School of Art
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inMayflower Trolley Tour!4.3★ · 50 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$40 per personSee dates →
Most bookedProvincetown and Cape Cod High Speed Ferry to/from Boston4.2★ · 173 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$79 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleChatham Bites and Sights Walking Guided Food Tasting Tour5★ · 58 travelers~3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$108 per personSee dates →More attractions in Provincetown