Charles D. Cahoon

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Cahoon for Kids

Who is Charles D. Cahoon?
(1861-1951)

Charles D. Cahoon is a famous painter of Cape Cod scenes. It is believed that he created over 2500 paintings.

Charles was born and grew up in Harwich, Massachusetts. Like many boys of his time, he went to sea on his father's fishing vessel. When he was home he attended school. One of the schools he went to is now the town museum.

The Cahoon family was very talented (his father helped build their house and made an iceboat for sailing on the pond in winter!), Charles loved to draw and spent his free time sketching. There is a painting at the museum that he and his dad did together! Charles later admitted to drawing in school when he should have been listening to the teacher.

When Charles was 21 something terrible happened. He and his Dad were coming back to Harwich from a fishing trip when his Dad became very ill and died in his arms. Charles never went back to sea.

Instead he decided to get involved in photography. His cousin had a shop on Main Street in Harwich so he worked there learning how to "touch up" photographs. He then moved to Boston where he lived for many years but always came back to Harwich for visits.

Charles also kept painting and started entering art shows. Robbins vs. Moody is a painting of his Harwich neighbors playing checkers. The painting won a prize at the Barnstable County Fair in 1903.

Charles became a famous New England artist and decided to devote himself to painting. He painted lots of things but was especially good at landscapes that look very real. Charles also enjoyed creating funny sketches for postcards. "Rascally Boys" was one of 12 sketches he did for a calendar.

Eventually Charles moved back to Harwich and lived in his family's home, a short distance from the museum. He walked all over Harwich and painted marshes, dunes, and seascapes. People nicknamed him the "Village Artist." Today he is recognized as one of Cape Cod's best artists.

Robbins vs. Moody

Charles painted this image of his neighbors playing checkers. The painting won first prize at the Barnstable County Fair, and helped Charles become a well-known artist.