Provincelands Dune Shack Field Trip

Students from Studio Art and Photography classes recently had the unique opportunity to visit a dune shack in Provincetown.  The day began with a picturesque hike through the dunes to the Ray Wells shack.  There, the students had the opportunity to use the water pump, explore the interior and exterior of the shack, as well as hear a brief history of the shacks from guide, Mrs. Lise Neilson.

 From 1872-1923 the Life Saving Service patrolled the beaches looking for shipwrecks.

The surf men wanted to bring their families out to spend time in the dunes when they were not working, so they built small ,one room shacks with  scrap wood, found washed up on shore from ship wrecks.

Research through the Massachusetts Historical Commission led to the shacks being eligible for listing in the National Register of Historical Places. They now are protected, owned and managed  by the Cape Cod National Seashore.

This trip was an incredible opportunity for the students; most of them had never been out there or knew anything about them. 

All students will be creating artwork based on their sketches and photos from the trip with a public show to follow, stay tuned for details.