Cape Cod was a backwater region of Massachusetts when the Cape Cod Chamber was formed on March 17, 1921. In fact, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts study researching “what to do” with Cape Cod recommended several ideas, including establishing a tourism industry. Thanks to the chamber’s promotional efforts, Cape Cod has not only become a world-class vacation destination, but also a one offering award-winning health care, quality education, vibrant cultural institutions and a strong entrepreneurial spirit.
The newly minted Cape Cod Chamber, powered by business volunteers, pursued development of guest houses, resorts, golf courses and mosquito control to lure lucrative visitors, but also advocated for preserving the Cape’s historic character, which interested tourists. One of the first marketing efforts was a direct-mail campaign targeting New York City, still a main-stay market.
“Now on the chamber’s 100th birthday, business leaders are working on wastewater, housing and new canal bridges,” notes CEO Wendy Northcross, who is retiring this year. “Their vision for the next century is a blue economy, one that diversifies employment, helps attract and retain young professionals and families and works to protect, study and enjoy salt and freshwater.”
Timeline
1921
Business leaders form a regional chamber of commerce on March 17 and elect Admiral Francis T, Bowles as president. First offices located in Barnstable Town Hall, now the JFK Hyannis Museum.
1927
Chamber and Mass. Forestry Association form a task force to study forest fire prevention and reforestation.
1929
Chamber raises $250,000 to create the Cape Cod Mosquito Control project, which continues to this day.
1935
Canal widened and new bridges erected; the chamber successfully advocates for federal government control to assure maintenance of water and roadways.
1930s
Chamber issues crop yield reports including peaches and turnips. Legislation filed to ban billboards on Cape Cod.
1932
Chamber membership drops from 400 to 40 during The Great Depression.
1946
Post-war inventory of accommodations, services and facilities for vacationers conducted.
1948
Month-long Cape Cod exhibition at Grand Central Terminal staffed by chamber office manager Doris Bassett promoted Cape Codder rail service and featured 100-feet of real Cape Cod sand.
1951
Chamber president Benjamin Atwood promotes “Keep Cape Cod Clean” campaigns and calls for “Trash Slingers” fine.
1950
Chamber relocates to a new building at the rotary at Route 6, West Barnstable. Nine years later, Exit 6 would be installed In 2021, the exit is renumbered to 68.
1964
Chamber advocates for a Cape Cod Planning and Economic Development Commission in county government to “preserve the character of Cape Cod.” Chamber executive Norman H. Cook becomes first executive director of CCPEDC (forerunner of today’s Cape Cod Commission.)
1970
Michael Frucci becomes executive secretary.
1980s
Cape Cod experiences unprecedented growth of residential and commercial properties.
1990
CCPEDC becomes the Cape Cod Commission with regulatory power over land use.
1995
Route 25 Visitor Center, located 3 miles from the Bourne Bridge, opens. Former Sagamore Bridge info booth donated to Bourne Historical Society. It’s now on the grounds of Aptucxet Trading Post.
1997
Frucci retires, Wendy Northcross named interim executive director.
1998
Northcross appointed to Community Working Group, which releases consensus land use planning for Mass. Military Reservation (now Joint Base Cape Cod.)
1998
Chamber merges with county’s Cape Cod Economic Development Council. John D. O’Brien becomes CEO and offices move to 307 Main Street, Hyannis (in a portion of the former Cape Cod Bank & Trust building.)
2002
Chamber CEO O’Brien retires and Northcross tapped to succeed him.
2003
Chamber returns to its renovated and expanded building near Exit 6 and constructs a new visitor center at same site.
2005
Chamber pushes workforce skills, creative economy effort, renewable energy, wastewater and transportation in addition to tourism promotion in its annual action plan.
2009
Chamber advocates for new canal area bridges and road/pedestrian access after maintenance work causes unprecedented backups and delays.
2009
Annual Quahog Day launched on the first day of summer, to promote the number of beach days ahead.
2010
On Feb. 26, Patti Page Way is named after the artist who made famous the song “Olde Cape Cod”.
2012
In March, the board of directors voted to create the Wastewater Task Force, over concerns about pending lawsuits potentially forcing an overpriced and “under-scienced” solution on Cape Cod.
2013
Back to Business Bash features a pirate theme for the chamber’s networking presence.
2014
In November, groundbreaking for major renovation at Patti Page Way offices.
2015
New Sandy Neck Conference Room opens. Chamber crew travels to Beacon Hill for State House Day to promote tourism.
2015
The Blue Economy Project is launched alongside a Creative Economy Initiative including public art installations.
2017
Annual public policy briefings with elected officials.
2018
Chamber wastewater task force and Cape legislators craft and pass law for Cape Cod & Islands Water Protection Trust Fund to build wastewater systems. and alleviate tax burden on residents.
2019
First grants totaling $71 million dollars flow to Cape towns from the Water Protection Trust Fund, saving property tax payers the same.
2020
In a virtual ceremony, Gov. Baker, Mass DOT and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers agree to build/maintain new canal bridges and adjacent ways for bikes/pedestrians/vehicular roads. Federal infrastructure funds are the last piece of the puzzle.
Chamber helps form and facilitate a regional COVID-19 Response Task Force – navigating 15 months of the public health crisis causing business closures and restrictions. Task Force touted as a model of collaboration.
2021
The Blue Economy Project constructs Expedition Blue – 10 waypoints in towns across the Cape and Islands showcasing the Cape’s special connection to the water, from both social and economic perspectives.
In June, the federal INVEST in America Act includes language that allows new bridges to be considered for funding passes in the U.S. House.
Chamber Executive Director Wendy Northcross named Mercy Otis Warren Cape Cod Woman of the Year
Northcross retires after 24 years at the chamber and Paul Niedzwiecki, former executive of the Cape Cod Commission, is selected as next CEO as of July 1.
