From Cape Cod to Normandy: Falmouth's Role in WWII's D-Day Invasion

The Falmouth Museums on the Green, owned and operated by the Falmouth Historical Society, is a two-acre campus that has been serving the residents and visitors of Falmouth since 1900. One of the most popular sites in Falmouth for visitors, it contains the 1790 Dr. Francis Wicks House—a magnificent Federalist-period residence with guided tours demonstrating what life was like for an affluent physician in the late 18th and early 19th centuries; the recently-restored 1730 Conant House—used for exhibits, research and genealogy studies; the Hallett Barn Visitors’ Center—rebuilt in 2002 on the site of an original barn and used a welcoming point for those coming to Falmouth as well as the “Whaling Wives Gift Shop”; the Colonial Gardens—showing off plantings, such as a boxwood tree, that go back to the days prior to the American Revolution; Memorial Park—a tranquil place of refuge that is open to all visitors looking for relaxation; and the recently-opened (2012) Cultural Center—a superb, 3600 square foot structure used for public and private programs and events, public restrooms, kitchen facilities, and as a repository for archival collections to preserve Falmouth’s past. It also has a series of rotating historical exhibits throughout the campus.

Falmouth Museums on the Green

Exhibition Opening of "From Cape Cod to Normandy: Falmouth's Role in WWII's D-Day Invasion"

Falmouth Historical Society

Join us for the Opening of our New Exhibition! "From Cape Cod to Normandy: Falmouth's Role in World War II's D-Day Invasion"The Falmouth Historical Society, in collaboration with the Cape Cod Military Museum, is honored to present a compelling new exhibition that explores Falmouth's vital role in the historic D-Day invasion during World War II. The show opens Thursday, June 6th, 2024, and runs until May 10th, 2025.With America being violently thrust into WWII, there was a palatable fear gripping America, especially on the East Coast where Nazi U-boats were wreaking havoc on Allied shipping.The exhibition unfolds against this historical setting, shedding light on the critical training that occurred in Falmouth in preparation for the monumental D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944, Normandy, France. Key aspects of this exhibition include the amphibious training and innovations at Washburn Island, the heroic efforts of Woods Hole Coast Guard Cutters in the Rescue Flotilla, and the significant role played by the Ranger training that led to the greatest feat of arms in WWII, Rudder’s Rangers capturing Pointe Du Hoc.A central figure in Falmouth's contributions to D-Day was Ralph Ingersoll, a pro-war Newspaper publisher by trade, he volunteered to be stationed at Camp Edwards. Ingersoll, with strategic foresight, developed a plan to trick the Germans that the main attack was to be elsewhere with what has become known as the Phantom Army. They used inflatable rubber tanks, planes and landing craft along with fake unit patches and radio traffic to fool the enemy. Without this trickery D-Day could have ended in failure.Even the Martha’s Vineyard Ferry the Naushon got into the act. She became the H.M.S. Naushon a British Hospital Ship treating the wounded and ferrying them to England for more treatment.The exhibition concludes with a poignant reflection on the Falmouth Homefront during this eventful day and tells the tales of Falmouth natives that participated in the most important date in history.Sponsored by: Thank you to Oak Grove Cemetery of Falmouth, Inc., The Falmouth Raw Bar, and The Wharf Restaurant for becoming sponsors of the From Cape Cod to Normandy exhibition!

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From Cape Cod to Normandy: Falmouth's Role in WWII's D-Day Invasion

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