Caleb Nickerson Homestead
2026 Programs
For outdoor events please bring a sun hat.
Wed., June 10, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ca. 1829 Caleb Nickerson Homestead Opens for 2026 season with guided tours. We are open every Wednesday in season from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Oct. 14. (Additional tour hours will be announced.) Tour the antique homestead which features a display of artifacts from the excavation of William and Anne’s ca. nearby 1664 homestead. Walk through Priscilla Nickerson’s Colonial gardens. And while you’re here, check out the progress on our antique barn, currently under reconstruction!
The Nickerson Genealogy Center is open Wednesdays year-round from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A volunteer genealogist is here to help you explore your Nickerson roots! NFA memberships and genealogy books as well as “Gifts for Nicks” such as polo shirts, mugs and teddy bears are for sale.
Sat. June 20: Chatham History Day, NFA Grounds Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Caleb Nickerson Homestead open for tours with docent 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. During the day Colonial Gardener Sonny Gada will plant a Three Sisters Native American garden and Gary Nickerson will interpret the display of artifacts from the excavation of William and Anne’s c. 1664 homestead. Fiber artist Cheryl Flett will demonstrate carding and spinning fleece.
Fri., Sept. 11 through Mon., Sept. 14: NFA Annual Reunion in historic Brewster and Chatham. Registration will open in June. Special events for the weekend during America’s 250th birthday year are being scheduled now. Events include a lobster boat dinner cruise and tours of several historic sites in Brewster. Check back for updates. Sun., 10 a.m.: “Nickerson Sunday” at First Congregational Church of Chatham; Sun, noon: Cookout at NFA Campus with an update on the historic barn and dig site. Monday, by appointment: One-hour personal genealogy sessions.
Sat., Dec. 5, 1 to 4 p.m.: 21st Annual Holiday Hearthside Open House at the Caleb Nickerson Homestead. Join us for a demonstration of authentic open hearth cooking, cranberry punch and holiday sweets. The open house will feature our NFA Mitten Tree. Over 200 pairs of mittens have been donated to the Chatham Children’s Fund.
TBA, Winter 2027, Colonial Cooking Club: Open Hearth Cooking Event with Open Hearth Cook Anne Firth. All participants will prepare food during this hands-on-history event. Due to space constraints, participation is limited.
Hands-On-History Programs for 2026 (Preregistration required as space is limited. Classes are about two hours.) All participants will go home with either a floral centerpiece of a felted creation.
Sat., Oct. 17, 1 pm: Create a felted piece with fiber artist Cheryl Flett.
Sat., Nov. 14, 1 pm: Create a floral Thanksgiving centerpiece with Sonny Gada.
Sat., Nov. 21, 1 pm: Create a felted piece with Cheryl Flett.
Sat., Dec. 12, 1 pm: Create a floral holiday centerpiece with Sonny Gada.
Note: Participation limited to 10.
All hands-on floral programs will be led by Sonny Gada of Chatham. Sonny has been a floral designer and horticulturist for over 50 years. His floral arrangements have been featured in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts annual event “Art in Bloom.” Fiber artist Cheryl Flett, who hails from Chicago, is self-taught in the ancient art of felting. She is also proficient in dyeing wool, spinning, loom knitting and basic tapestry weaving. We welcomed Cheryl, who was new to the Caleb Nickerson Homestead Hands-On-History program, in 2024. If you have a suggestion for a floral or fiber art program, please let us know through wmnick1107@gmail.com.
All materials are provided for fiber arts and floral arranging workshops.