A former teacher who retired at 53, Helen recognized the need for stimulation and decided to educate herself on the history of Wellfleet. She approached this pastime with energy and dedication. Her review went beyond documents at our town hall and library to the Library of Congress where she spent a full week. Helen then joined the “Wellfleet Associates,” a group similar in purpose to the current Non-Residents Association. One of the spin-offs was the Wellfleet Historical Society, which gave her life new purpose. Helen remembers saying to herself, “That’s what I’m going to do.” And, for the next forty years, that’s exactly what she did do, becoming the well-respected go-to person on the town’s past.
Her favorite building is the former general store, which has housed the Historical Society since 1951. “A gem!” She remarked that the museum keeps exquisite records due to Lydia Newcomb who managed to obtain a private lesson from the director of the Metropolitan himself. Helen followed Lydia as curator and only retired from the job ten years ago. One pet project was the Wellfleet House Tour, which Helen led for many years. She enjoyed researching each house. Sharing its history was a joy not only for the guide but also for the lucky few who held precious tour tickets. Clearly, Helen loves Wellfleet. I took the opportunity to thank her for helping Wellfleetians appreciate their history. That happens to be what she likes to consider as her personal contribution. With a gracious gesture, she dismissed my praise: “How not to get interested in a little town that has its roots back in the Pilgrim period?”