SCITUATE - Under a near cloudless blue sky and shining sun, the 56th annual Scituate Heritage Days kicked off August with energy, community, and music. Hosted by the Scituate Chamber of Commerce, the event highlighted local artistry, historic pride, and community spirit, drawing both longtime residents and newcomers to Scituate Harbor and its surrounding landmarks for two days of celebration.
“It’s all about bringing in people that have never been to Scituate before, folks that maybe haven’t visited in a while, and experiencing the wonderful community that we have,” said Cristina Curreri, Vice President of the Scituate Chamber of Commerce and owner of the Scituate Salt Cave.
Scituate Heritage Days spanned the town’s coastal heart, with Front Street and surrounding historic sites serving as the bustling backdrop for artisan stalls, local food vendors, live entertainment, and activities for all ages.
“We're really happy that folks are taking time over these past two days to come and visit us,” Curreri added. Len Curreri, Cristina's father, was among those sharing their art as he debuted his forthcoming book, Hidden Runways: A Memoir From the Cockpit and Beyond, which chronicles his career in aviation, including his work as Jimmy Buffet’s private pilot.
The weekend spotlighted local entrepreneurs whose crafts and goods reflected both creative flair and hometown pride.
Among them was Ted Goode, owner of That Fabled Shore Home Decor, who showcased items made from vintage hand-tinted postcards. “The people from the South Shore are very loyal… Scituate has a great hold on the heart for people who grew up there and love the history,” he shared.
Another vendor, Steve Pelletier of Custom Mosaic Designs, described how his surroundings inspire his art. “I live in Scituate, so it's a great place to be. The ocean just inspires your work continuously because there's always something you see that sparks interest and gets your creative mind flowing,” he said.
For Provan Slys Smith, a watercolor artist and registered nurse, the journey into art was deeply personal. “I used it as an outlet for time for myself after having my second child,” she said. What started as a personal practice has grown into a thriving small business. “There’s endless inspiration,” she noted of working in the coastal community.
Beyond the harbor, Scituate’s historical sites played a prominent role in the weekend’s offerings.
Meanwhile, the grounds of the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church hosted a root beer float extravaganza before the iconic Lawson Tower rang out with a special bell concert. The tower, one of Scituate’s most photographed landmarks, was originally built in 1902 to disguise a water tank at the behest of Jeannie Lawson, wife of financier Thomas W. Lawson. Today, its bells still chime thanks to the Scituate Historical Society’s ongoing care.
Words, the society says, “cannot do justice to this massive, imposing, and elegant structure.” With 123 stairs to the top and bells weighing up to 3,000 pounds, it is considered both an engineering marvel and a beloved town symbol.
A highlight for many was the opportunity to explore the Maritime and Irish Mossing Museum, which honors Scituate’s deep-rooted connection to the sea. Set in the 1739 home of Captain Benjamin James, the museum offers a look into shipwrecks, shipbuilding, and the once-booming Irish mossing industry.
At the museum, visitors can learn about the lifeboat volunteers of the U.S. Life-Saving Service and the heroic tales from the Shipwreck Room, including relics from the 1853 wreck of the Forest Queen and the ill-fated tanker Pinthis.
The museum's exhibitions are enriched by contributions from local divers who “have made it their life’s work to preserve the seafarers’ past and pass the stories onto others”.
Heritage Days also served as a platform for education and family fun. The Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary brought "Salt," a 43-foot inflatable humpback whale, to the Maritime and Irish Mossing Museum. The life-sized model—complete with internal organs—allowed children and adults alike to step inside and learn about whale biology and conservation.
Whether enjoying fish and chips from a harbor-front food truck, purchasing a mosaic trivet, or listening to the bells of Lawson Tower, attendees found connection through shared experiences.
The festival stretched from morning into evening all weekend long, offering everything from the First Friday late-night shopping and pie socials to evening live music, a lighted boat parade and the glowing Coastal Luminaria. Saturday expanded the festivities with a community pancake breakfast, the first annual Duck Drop race, a full-day artisan marketplace, a beer garden, a pig roast, and live music throughout the afternoon and evening. Families gathered in Art Alley and the Kids Tent for creative fun, while others explored historic landmarks like the Mann House, Stockbridge Grist Mill, and Scituate Lighthouse.
“There's just so much to witness and experience,” said Curreri. “We’re trying to reengage the community and bring to the visitors that are here what makes it so special”.