As fireworks light the sky this Fourth of July weekend and families gather across Cape Cod, it’s worth remembering that our region’s story didn’t begin with Route 6 or the canal bridges.
Cape Cod’s story began with the people of the First Light—the Wampanoag—who walked these shores not long after the glaciers receded. They were the original stewards of this land, and their deep connection to it continues today.
It was here, too, that the Pilgrims first anchored in Provincetown Harbor—long before setting foot on Plymouth Rock. In that harbor, they drafted and signed the Mayflower Compact, a cornerstone of democratic governance that helped shape the Massachusetts Constitution and, in turn, the United States Constitution. The American story—its ideals, its tensions, its promise—took early root here.
Cape Cod has always been home to visionaries and patriots—from John and Mercy Otis Warren of Barnstable, whose words and courage helped spark a revolution, to the Portuguese fishermen of Provincetown, whose descendants still bless the fleet each summer—a reminder that faith, family, and the sea remain central to our identity.
This is a place where history is never far from our shores, and where every generation adds to the narrative.
And it includes all those who came seeking freedom—whether to pray, to build a better life, or to love who they love without fear.
That includes Cape Verdean families who helped build our towns, as well as some Mayflower descendants who still sail Lewis Bay on Friday afternoons. It includes Brazilian entrepreneurs opening restaurants, running cleaning businesses, and caring for our elders. It includes Haitian nurses, Jamaican tradespeople, Guatemalan kitchen workers—and so many others who are now essential to our economy and our identity.
Some of us—like me—are “washashores.” We weren’t born here, but we fell in love with this place and made it home. Many who came for a season returned—or never left. They came to visit, and stayed to contribute.
These individuals and families are not just residents—they are the fabric of Cape Cod. They are our teachers, our coworkers, our volunteers, and our neighbors. And they are shaping the next chapter of this region just as much as anyone else.
As a Chamber, we have a responsibility to reflect that reality—to be a voice for all parts of our community.
That’s why our efforts to grow the economy must also foster a sense of belonging. As we tackle foundational needs like housing, childcare, and transportation, we must honor everyone who has chosen this place and committed their lives to making it better.
This holiday reminds us of our shared ideals: liberty, opportunity, and community. Cape Cod has lived those ideals from the beginning—and we carry them forward together.
Happy Fourth of July.
—Paul Niedzwiecki
CEO, Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce