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Cranberries: From Cape Cod to American Icon
Location: Special Exhibits Gallery | April 25 – October 18, 2026
What comes to mind when you think of cranberries? A crimson bog on a bright autumn day? Or maybe a Thanksgiving table? Whether covering our local bogs or garnishing our cocktails, cranberries have held an ever-present role in Cape Cod life for generations.
Cranberries: From Cape Cod to American Icon explores the impact of this humble berry across Cape Cod’s history. Come explore how the cranberry has shaped the people, culture, and natural landscape of Southeastern Massachusetts, from its historic use by the Wampanoag people to its modern sale worldwide by companies like Ocean Spray. On your way, admire a giant bottle of cranberry juice cocktail, feel the weight of a real vintage cranberry harvesting scoop, and share your own cranberry memories in an interactive talk back.
This exhibition continues the debut of Heritage’s new collection of cranberry history, The Peter K. Meier Cranberry Collection. Containing over 1,250 objects and approximately 20 linear feet of archival and published materials, this acquisition has created the largest museum collection of cranberry history in the country.
Woman Scooping Cranberries in Harwich, Unidentified Creator, early 20th century
Group of Workers at Fuller Hammond Bog, Unidentified Creator, early 20th century
Cranberry Picker, Geraldine West Powell, ca. 1940-1955
The Magic Sauce, Eatmor Cranberries, c. 1920-1959
Ocean Spray Brand Cranberry Juice Cocktail, Cranberry Canners Inc., c. 1931-1950
Makepeace Cranberry Scoop
Fancy Cape Cod Cranberries 1 lb. Box, New England Cranberry Sales Co., late 19th century – early 20th century
Cape Cod Cranberries Thorobred Quarter Barrel Crate Label, Stecher-Traung, early 20th century
Delicious Cape Cod Cranberries Quarter Barrel Crate Label, unidentified creator, early 20th century
Harvest Queen Cape Cod Cranberries Quarter Barrel Crate Label, unidentified creator, early 20th century
