National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Cape Cod National Seashore
The Province Lands
Just 20 years after the creation of the Boston Common, Plymouth
Colony set aside the tip of Cape Cod in 1654 as our nation’s
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second-oldest common land. Eventually called the Province Lands,
the area provided resources, like timber and fish, critical to the
colony’s survival.
Approximately
6,000 years ago
1620
The Pamet branch of the Wampanoag people uses the area, known
as “Meeshawn,” for hunting, fishing, and harvesting wild fruits.
The Mayflower arrives from England and anchors in the harbor.
Passengers spend five weeks exploring the dense woods present at
the time, and consider settling. Though they choose Plymouth and
establish a colony there, some colonists secure patents to cross Cape
Cod Bay and use portions of Meeshawn to fish and trade.
1654
A Wampanoag representative sells Meeshawn to Plymouth Colony’s
Governor Thomas Prence, who reserves it as common land,
available to all.
1692
Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay Colonies merge, making Cape
Cod part of the Province of Massachusetts. The tip of the Cape is
called the Province Lands.
1727
The land surrounding the harbor where people had built homes is
incorporated as Provincetown.
1893
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts grants Provincetown’s land
to the town. A border is drawn around the Province Lands, and it is
designated a state reservation.
1961-1962
The federal government establishes Cape Cod National Seashore in
1961. The following year, the Commonwealth authorizes the transfer
of the state reservation land, plus lands from the nearby Pilgrim
Springs State Park, to the National Park Service for the continued
preservation and enjoyment by all.
The 1893 map shows the boundary of the Province Lands. Granite
markers, like this one corresponding to “Bound D” on the map,
may still be found in the landscape.
Historic map image courtesy of State Library of Massachusetts.
Funding for this exhibit provided by Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore.