🎣 A quiet day of fishing—with a national story behind it

Used by Joseph Jefferson (1829-1905), the celebrated stage actor best known for his role as Rip Van Winkle, this creel reflects the way nationally prominent Americans engaged with local landscapes and traditions. Jefferson summered on Cape Cod, lived in nearby Bourne, and frequently hunted and fished in Sandwich during the late 19th century.

At a time when the United States was rapidly industrializing, leisure activities like fishing took on new meaning. For Jefferson and others, time spent outdoors offered a counterbalance to urban life and modern change. His most famous character, Rip Van Winkle—out of step with time itself—became a powerful symbol of nostalgia and reflection in a changing nation.

This humble creel reminds us that Sandwich was not a remote corner of history, but part of a wider cultural network where local places shaped national imagination.

2026 Collection Focus — 🇺🇸#America250 #SandwichMAHistoricalSociety
Throughout 2026, we’re diving into our permanent collection—researching familiar objects, uncovering new stories, and rethinking how they connect to Sandwich, the nation, and the world as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.