Just a short 1/2 hour drive from The Captain’s Manor Inn, Sandwich was the first town settled on the Cape in 1637 and its name was based on a seaport in Kent, England. What was a small agrarian community changed dramatically when a Boston businessman Deming Jarvis established a glass factory in Sandwich. The Boston and Sandwich glass company grew to be one of the largest glass makers in the nation.

While there, a visit is the Sandwich Glass Museum is a highly recommended. The Museum houses displays of more than 6000 different glass pieces created by different glass companies in Sandwich during the 19th and 20th centuries. A highlight of your visit will be the opportunity to view glassblowing demonstrations on site. The glassblowing demonstrations are held daily from 10 AM until 4 PM every hour on the hour.

Other interesting glass shops to visit in Sandwich include:
• McDermott Glass Studio & Gallery (272 Cotuit Road, Sandwich, Ma 02563)
Closed Monday, Gallery Tue-Sun 10-5, Glassblowing Thu-Sat 10-5
• Glass Studio on Cape Cod (470 Route 6A, East Sandwich)
www.glassstudiooncapecod.com
• Pairpoint – Americas Oldest Glass Works (Route 6A Sagamore Ma)
www.pairpoint.com

Switching gears, the Heritage Museum Antique Autos are a must see in at the Heritage Museum and Gardens. This is the largest public garden in southern New England, located on 100 acres of magnificent grounds on the banks of Shawnee pond. This site is especially famous for their Dexter Rhododendrons as well as numerous daylilies, hostas and hydrangeas. The gardens also feature nationally recognized specialty gardens, water features and sculpture.

The Heritage Museum covers three gallery buildings with diverse exhibitions. Our particular favorite, housed in a reproduced Shaker Round Stone Barn, is an automobile gallery featuring more than 30 beautifully maintained antique American automobiles. Another fine collection is the American Art & Carousel Gallery which includes an extensive collection of folk art and a working vintage carousel from 1908.

If you have more time to spare in Sandwich, you might enjoy exploring the Heritage Trail.