The Woods Hole Business Association is proud to partner this September with the world-renowned Woods Hole science community to present “Destination Science: Discover Woods Hole,” two weekends packed full of mostly free events in celebration of the global impact being made by laboratories right here! Come this fall to experience Cape Cod like a local, and discover the big science happening in the little village of Woods Hole.
“Rachel Carson: Women in Science Pioneer,” will run from September 15 -17 to commemorate the 55th anniversary of Carson’s groundbreaking work, Silent Spring, released on September 27, 1962. Carson’s ties to Woods Hole run deep; she first arrived in 1929 as a 22-year-old summer researcher with the Marine Biological Laboratory. It was the first time she saw the ocean, and she learned to swim in the waters of Woods Hole. Carson also worked for the Bureau of Fisheries (now part of NOAA), and conducted research at its station in Woods Hole. In 1949, she became the first woman to go to sea on its research vessel, the Albatross III. Carson’s trilogy of books, “Under the Sea Wind,” “The Sea Around Us,” and “The Edge of the Sea” were all influenced by her first summer in Woods Hole. In 2013, a statue was erected in Waterfront Park to commemorate that connection, and to celebrate her trailblazing role in the worldwide environmental movement.
“The Sea Around Us: You Are What You Drink,” September 29 – October 1, will celebrate the 11th Annual Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride, beginning in Little Compton, Rhode Island on October 1 and ending in Woods Hole. Proceeds benefit the Buzzards Bay Coalition, a membership-supported nonprofit organization dedicated to the restoration, protection, and sustainable use and enjoyment of the Bay and its watershed. The Coalition works to improve the health of the Bay ecosystem through education, conservation, research, and advocacy. For the past 25 years, the Coalition has kept a watchful eye on Buzzards Bay’s health to understand the ecosystem’s response to human-related impacts.
The schedule of events is below. Details are subject to change, and new events will be added. For more information, visit woodshole.com and tune into media sponsor WCAI to find out about special offers from Woods Hole restaurants and retailers!
“Rachel Carson: Women in Science Pioneer”
September 15-17
Friday, September 15
7:30 PM
Rachel Carson Remembered
Falmouth director Annie Hart Cool will produce a one-woman performance inspired by Rachel Carson, who first came to Woods Hole in 1929 as a summer researcher with the Marine Biological Laboratory.
Saturday, September 16: Village Visitation
Discover the big science happening in the little village of Woods Hole at the following institutions, all within walking distance. Better yet, taking the Shining Sea Bikeway into town!
11 AM – 4 PM
MBL Pierce Exhibit Center, 100 Water Street
Colorful exhibits tell the story of the Marine Biological Laboratory and its impact on life sciences. Live animals, stunning underwater video footage, a hands-on microscope, and an interactive squid are all part of the visitor experience.
10 AM – 4:30 PM
WHOI Ocean Science Exhibit Center, 15 School Street
Discover the research happening at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the tools of their trade; get a glimpse into a day in the life of the deep submersible Alvin, the discovery of the Titanic, and much more.
11 AM – 4 PM
Woods Hole Science Aquarium, 166 Water Street
Home to more than 140 species of marine mammals, the aquarium offers touch tanks of lobsters, horseshoe crabs, and starfish, just to name a few. Consider scheduling your visit around the daily seal feeding, most days at 11 and 4 – a crowd-pleaser for all ages and a great photo opportunity. Complimentary parking is available.
10 AM – 4 PM
Woods Hole Historical Museum, 579 Woods Hole Road
On view: “Navigating the Seas in the Age of Sail” and “A History of Shellfishing on Cape Cod”
Sunday, September 17
Self-Guided Village Tour with the “Discover Woods Hole” App
It’s not all about the science! Download the “Discover Woods Hole” app on your iPhone or iPad. Take in all that the tiny, yet booming village has to offer, including waterfront restaurants, local art, and quintessential Cape Cod scenery. Iconic photo opportunities abound, such as the Rachel Carson statue in Waterfront Park by Barnstable sculptor David Lewis, known for his iconic sculpture of John F. Kennedy outside the JFK Hyannis Museum.