Falmouth's Tourist Economy and Coastal Life

In this interview, the interviewee (J) reflects on growing up in Woods Hole, MA, during the 1970s, highlighting the stark contrasts between locals and wealthy summer tourists. Their family, originally from the Boston suburbs, settled in Falmouth due to financial difficulties, experiencing a town defined by its coastal geography, seasonal economy, and class divisions. J describes the challenges of limited food quality, noting their mother's reliance on clamming and canned goods during the offseason. They recall long gas lines during the oil crises and the gentrification of the village over time. Falmouth, once a whaling town, had become increasingly dependent on tourism, which raised property values. Additionally, the community grappled with drug addiction, class tensions, and a seasonal ebb and flow of residents, from "townies" to vacationers.