Eastham in Barnstable County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

A Whale Bone Welcome

Photographed By Alan M. Perrie, September 11, 2016

1. A Whale Bone Welcome Marker

Inscription. Inviting guests to step through the massive jawbones of a whale may seem an unusual way to say, “Welcome to our home.” But for Captain Edward Penniman, there could be no more appropriate greeting. Born in Eastham, Captain Penniman earned his fortune far from home, sailing the seas as a whaling captain. He built this house for his family in 1868, and it remains a lasting reminder not only of his success, but also of a way of life. The whale bones Captain Penniman placed at his entry gate were a proud symbol of the man he was.

Today’s bones are the third set in this location. They are the lower jawbones of a 63-foot finback whale that washed ashore in Wellfleet in 1966. Regular coatings of whitewash help to preserve the bones. Whale bone gates can be found around the world in places where whaling was an important way of life.

Captain Penniman used the lower jaw of a sperm whale for his original gate in the 1860’s. Sperm whales were among the most prized in the whaling industry. Their oil was an excellent lubricant and a valuable lamp oil.

Erected by Cape Cod National Seashore.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.

Location. 41° 49.117′

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N, 69° 57.955′ W. Marker is in Eastham, Massachusetts, in Barnstable County. Marker is on Fort Hill Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 70 Fort Hill Road, Eastham MA 02642, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. There’s No Place Like Home (here, next to this marker); Indian Rock (approx. 0.3 miles away); Port de Mallebarre (approx. 0.3 miles away); Cove Burying Ground (approx. 0.6 miles away); Eastham Town Hall (approx. 0.9 miles away); First Encounter (approx. 0.9 miles away); Bridge Road Cemetery (approx. 0.9 miles away); Eastham Windmill (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Eastham.

Also see . . .
1. Captain Penniman's house. (Submitted on December 18, 2017, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)
2. Captain Penniman's house. (Submitted on December 18, 2017, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)

The home of Captain Edward Penniman. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Alan M. Perrie, September 11, 2016

2. The home of Captain Edward Penniman.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 20, 2017. It was originally submitted on December 18, 2017, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 419 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 18, 2017, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.