Womencrafts Marks 50 Years as a Lesbian-Owned Feminist Landmark in Provincetown

One of the country's last remaining feminist bookstores is turning 50.

Womencrafts, the lesbian-owned and operated bookstore and gift shop on Commercial Street, will celebrate its golden anniversary in 2026 with a weekend of events March 20—22, according to a press release issued by the organization.

Founded in 1976, Womencrafts has functioned as more than a retail store. The shop offers books, music, art, jewelry and gifts created by women and trans artists, while also serving as a gathering space and organizing hub for women and the LGBTQ+ community, the press release states. For decades, it has provided "a welcoming and affirming space where people have found safety, connection, and the courage to be fully themselves."

At its height in the 1970s through the early 1990s, the women's bookstore movement included dozens of feminist retail spaces nationwide. Today, fewer than a dozen remain in the United States, according to the press release. Current owner Michelle Axelson purchased Womencrafts in 2015.

The shop's future in Provincetown was solidified in 2022, when supporters raised $215,000 through a GoFundMe campaign to purchase the building that houses the store, the press release notes.

Womencrafts continues to serve the Provincetown and Outer Cape community as a center for activism and civic engagement, hosting planning meetings, educational events, letter-writing campaigns and protests, according to the release. It remains a cultural anchor for visitors and residents who view Provincetown as a place of safety and belonging.

Anniversary Weekend Events

The 50th anniversary celebration will feature a mix of performances, workshops and community gatherings.

A cabaret night spanning five decades of Womencrafts will include performances by Melissa Ferrick, Natalia Zukerman, Karen Grenier, Marissa Miller, Poppy Champlin, Anne Stott and Suede, according to the press release. Other scheduled events include a storytelling night, a workshop focused on preserving women's "herstory," film screenings centered on lesbian, queer and feminist themes, art exhibits, a craft fair, and a wellness event combining a sound bath, meditation and gentle yoga.

The weekend will also launch "Womencrafts' 50th Anniversary Presents," a yearlong series of author talks, discussions and community gatherings, the press release states.

"As attacks on bodily autonomy, LGBTQ+ rights, and trans lives continue across the country, spaces like Womencrafts are not just cultural and historic landmarks — they are lifelines," Axelson said in the press release. "Womencrafts exists because our community needs places where we can gather, organize, reflect, and be seen. That was true in 1976, and it's true now."

Many events are free, with reservations requested.

Event Schedule (Selected)