The Woods Hole Historical Museum will hold its annual Oyster Talk and Tasting on Friday, August 25 from 5-7 PM. This combination of education, support for local food growers, and gustatory delight will take place on the Museum grounds at 579 Woods Hole Road.
The first part of the evening will be a talk by local oyster growers Pete Chase, Eric Matzen and Mary Murphy explaining how oysters are grown in this area and the results in the past year’s conditions. Pete could be considered one of the pioneers of modern oyster aquaculture in Falmouth, as he established his oyster growing operation in Gansett Cove, the first to wend the way through regulations and opinions. Now there are a host of people growing oysters in Falmouth, stretching from Waquoit to Megansett. Pete, Mary and Eric are part of a co-operative of growers known as “Sippewissett Oysters”. The cooperative sells its oysters through the Coonamessett Farm.
After the talk, which will include a demonstration of opening the bivalves, the audience will proceed to the tasting tables where volunteers and oystermen and women will open oysters for them. Wines, specially chosen to pair with oysters by international wine editor and new board member Becky Sue Epstein, will be available, as well as several beers.
This event is the sixth annual oyster celebration run by the Museum; an event which has been very popular, and often a sell-out. It is recommended that tickets be bought ahead of time, by stopping in or calling the Museum at 508-548-7270. Or to purchase tickets online, please email the museum at whhmdirector@gmail.com with your name and number of reservations, and pay through Paypal.
The cost will be $35 for members and $45 for non-members.