Brewster
Overview
- Beaches - Points
of Interest - Schools - Chamber
of Commerce - Brewster Lodging
Overview
 Passing through Brewster by stagecoach in 1849, Henry David Thoreau
noted that the town "has more mates and masters of vessels than any
other town in the country." These seafarers lived in Brewster
despite the lack of a harbor because a packet cargo service enabled them
to travel into Boston. Many of these homes remain today, some having
been converted to B&Bs and others becoming historic landmarks or
retail shops.
One of the most picturesque local sites is the weathered,
wood-shingled Old Brewster Mill and waterwheel, a restored 19th
Century grist mill (pictured here). Upstairs in this landmark are exhibits of old mill
equipment and a 100-year-old loom. During operating hours, lessons are
given in both grinding corn and weaving. Located on Stony Brook Rd.
Afterwards, don’t forget to walk across the street to the
Stony
Brook Herring Run, where thousands of alewives swim upstream to spawn in
freshwater ponds every spring.
Two more interesting museums in town are the Cape Cod Museum of Natural
History and the New England Fire & History Museum.
Founded in 1954, the Museum of Natural History is dedicated to the
study and preservation of Cape Cod’s fragile ecology. In addition to
nature/marine exhibits, lectures and classes, the museum features walking
trails through its 80 acres of marshland, lakes and forests. Guided
tours are available. It also offers bird watching trips to Nauset Beach
and Monomoy Island.
The New England Fire & History Museum houses a collection of 35
fire engines (including the only surviving 1929 Mercedes Benz engine in
existence), an animated diorama of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and
an exhibit of firefighting gear from Roman times to the present.
Brewster is also home to 1,964-acre Nickerson State Park, one
of the
busiest state parks in Massachusetts. Once the private estate of
Nickerson family, this land was donated to the state in 1934.
Beaches
- Breakwater Landing Beach
- Crosby Landing Beach
- Ellis Landing Beach
- Linell's Landing Beach
- Paine's Creek Beach
- Point of Rocks Beach
- Robbins Hill Beach
- Saint's Landing Beach
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Points
of Interest
- Nickerson State Park - In the summer, this 1,964-acre park
fills up quickly with campers swimming, fishing, boating and hiking
during the summer. The winter offers cross-country skiing and ice
skating on its five frozen lakes. Reservations are required
in-season. Truly an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Bassett Wild Animal Farm - This small family zoo offers enough wildlife to enchant
just about any age visitor. It features both common and exotic birds and
animals. There are plenty of exciting events for the whole family:
hayrides, a petting zoo and a large gift shop. Located off Tubman
Road near Route 6A.
- Paine's Creek Beach - Inlets and coves cut into the wide
beach on this shoreline. Paine's Creek is the home to some
interesting wildlife including rare birds and horseshoe crabs.
Located at Paine's Creek near Route 6A.
- Museum of Natural History - Leave only footprints
as you walk through these protected paths lined with
salt marsh grass behind the Museum. This is a center for the study
and research of Cape Cod’s diverse ecology. Offering lectures and
tours, guides lead visitors down nature paths to catch a glimpse of
the Cape's intriguing flora and fauna. Located on Route 6A.
- New England Fire & History Museum - This old blacksmith
shop and apothecary was built in the 1700s. It was designed to be an
exact replica of Ben Franklin's Union House in Philadelphia. The
edifice is now a museum housing the largest collection of
firefighting equipment and nostalgia in the world. Among the
exhibits is a diorama of the Chicago fire of 1871. It also offers a
gift shop and picnic facilities. Located on Route 6A.
Schools
- ABC Nursery School
2896 Main Street, Brewster
- Family School at
Brewster
3570 Main Street, Brewster
- Stony Brook Elementary
School
Underpass Road, Brewster
- The Laurel School
1436 Route 137, Brewster
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