Van Leeuwen Ice Cream opens in Harvard Square
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, known for its high-quality, all-natural ingredients, opened its newest shop in Harvard Square on Nov. 22, 2024.
Massachusetts has a legacy of ice cream.
It’s the home state of both Friendly’s and Hood Ice Cream, as well as hundreds of ice cream stands perfect for a summer scoop across the beach towns of Cape Cod and the islands. But which ice cream stand is the oldest?
Opened in 1934 in Centerville, Four Seas Ice Cream stands as Massachusetts’ oldest ice cream shop at almost 100 years old.
Here’s the ice cream shop’s story, as well as how to get a sweet treat there this summer.
History of Four Seas Ice Cream
In 1934, W. Wells Watson transformed an old blacksmith’s barn into an ice cream shop for summer visitors, and Four Seas was born, according to the shop’s website. Watson named the shop after the four bodies of water surrounding Cape Cod: Cape Cod Bay, Buzzards Bay, Nantucket Sound and the Atlantic Ocean.
In 1960, Four Seas was taken over by Dick Warren, an expert ice cream-maker who became known as “Chief” across the Cape and beyond. In 2002, Chief handed over the ice cream shop to his son and daughter-in-law, who began making ice cream year-round for the first time. Four Seas was sold in 2024 to Lesley and Josh McElhattan, who keep the shop running with the same love that has been poured into it for generations.
Over 90 years after Four Seas opened in a barn, it remains a favorite stop for locals and tourists alike, churning out top-quality ice cream with original flavors like Penuche Pecan, Chip Chocolate and Cantaloupe.
How to get ice cream at Four Seas
Four Seas is open daily at 360 S Main St. in Centerville. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.