TELLING THE STORIES OF COTUIT
Established in 1648, Cotuit has an exceptionally long history. But books and documents aren’t the only way to learn a place’s history. In 1978, Betty Peck began to record interviews of Cotuit’s intriguing residents. This tradition was continued in 2020, by Philip Odence and Larry Tye. These interviews are catalogued here. On this page, eight interviews are featured. To listen to them, hit the play button underneath the description. To access the rest of the collection, hit the button below.
Note: The transcripts accompanying the oral histories are computer-generated with light human review. They are useful for reference but are not super-accurate. Raise your hand if you would like to work on improving them.
LILA CHILDS DOTTRIDGE
Lila Childs Dottridge was born in 1893, and was a life long resident of Cotuit. In the recorded interview, she discusses her memories of growing up in Cotuit during the turn of the century, as well as details of downtown Cotuit, and the arrival of Portuguese immigrants. This interview occurred in 1973, and she was interviewed by Betty Peck. Lila passed away in 1990. Download transcript HERE.
MILTON CROCKER
Milton Crocker was born in 1894. He lived almost his entire life in Cotuit, and made a career out of running the Coop. The Coop, Cotuit’s food business, and some of Cotuit’s last sea captains are the subject of his interview. The interview in question occurred in 1978, and was conducted by Betty Peck. Milton passed away in 1986. Download transcript HERE.
CHARLES LOWELL
Born in 1942, Charles Lowell has been a life long summer resident of Cotuit. He discusses the history of his family in Cotuit, as well as the summers of his childhood he experienced with his cousins in his interview conducted by Philip Odence in 2021. Download transcript HERE.
G. MERRILL NICKERSON
G. Merrill Nickerson was born in 1905 and was a caretaker for Pem Whitcomb. In the interview that Betty Peck conducted in 1978, he tells us everything you have ever wanted to know about rum running. He passed away in 1999. Download transcript HERE.
MATTHEW “PETE” PELLS
Matthew “Pete” Pells was a a member of the Wampanoag tribe, and was born in 1894 in Mashpee. He monitored parking at Cotuit’s beaches for a number of years. In his interview with Betty Peck in 1978, he discusses the many marine industries of Cotuit, as well as his heritage, and walking to Mashpee to visit family. He passed away in 1989. Download transcript HERE..
KEITH RAPP
Lifelong resident of Cotuit and its doctor. Nobody knows a village better than its doc and Keith is a keen observer. In his interview he discusses how his family came here, driving a Model T, teenage summer jobs, college in California, becoming a Navy pilot/flight surgeon, his medical practice, and characters in town.
FLORENCE HASKINS RYDER
Born in 1890, Florence Haskins Ryder was a lifelong resident of Cotuit, and the daughter of Cotuit’s first doctor. In her 1978 interview with Betty Peck, she discusses; bikes, the problem with shell paved roads, farm animals on Ocean Ave, the sewing club, going to school in the village, and a class trip to DC. Download transcript HERE.
CHARLES B. SWARTWOOD III
Charles B. Swartwood III was born in 1938. He was a lifelong summer resident, and ended up living in Cotuit year round. In his 2023 interview, conducted by Philip Odence, he discusses growing up in the Highground, working at Mosswood, and becoming acquainted with Winter residents. He passed away in 2023. Download transcript HERE.