Brewster, Massachusetts

Brewster, Massachusetts
Linnell Landing Beach, on Cape Cod Bay
Linnell Landing Beach, on Cape Cod Bay
Flag of Brewster, Massachusetts
Official seal of Brewster, Massachusetts
Location in Barnstable County and the state of Massachusetts
Location in Barnstable County and the state of Massachusetts
Coordinates: 41°45′36″N 70°05′00″W / 41.76000°N 70.08333°W / 41.76000; -70.08333
CountryUnited States
StateMassachusetts
CountyBarnstable
Settled1656
Incorporated1803
Communities
Government
 • TypeOpen town meeting
Area
 • Total
25.4 sq mi (65.9 km2)
 • Land22.9 sq mi (59.3 km2)
 • Water2.5 sq mi (6.6 km2)
Elevation
39 ft (12 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
10,318
 • Density451/sq mi (174.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (Eastern)
ZIP code
02631
Area code508 / 774
FIPS code25-07980
GNIS feature ID0618249
Websitewww.brewster-ma.gov

Brewster /ˈbrstər/ is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States, Barnstable County being coextensive with Cape Cod. The population of Brewster was 10,318 at the 2020 census.[1]

Initially settled in 1659, the Town of Brewster is named after Elder William Brewster, the religious leader of Plymouth Colony. Brewster is known as the "Sea Captain's Town" for its wealth of eighteenth and nineteenth century historic captain's homes, including the Cobb House (1799), the current home of the Brewster Historical Society.[2][3]

Brewster is also notable as the home of Nickerson State Park, a 1,900 acre preserve carved out of the former hunting grounds of the prominent Nickerson Family.[4][5] The impact of the Nickerson Family can be seen at the Nickerson Mansion, now the home of Ocean Edge Resort. Constructed in 1890, the structure known as Fieldstone Hall was considered one of the most expensive houses built in the country at that time.[4]

The town is a popular summer destination, with the town population increasing to 30,000.[6] It also contains two National Historic Districts: Brewster Old King's Highway Historic District and Stony Brook–Factory Village Historic District, both listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[7]

Brewster is twinned with the town of Budleigh Salterton in the United Kingdom.

  1. ^ "Census – Geography Profile: Brewster town, Barnstable County, Massachusetts". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  2. ^ "Things You Might Not Know About Brewster". CapeCod.com. August 17, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  3. ^ "Captain Cobb House". Brewster Historical Society. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Historic Hotels of America". Historic Hotels Worldwide. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  5. ^ "Nickerson State Park | Mass.gov". www.mass.gov. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  6. ^ "Our Community | Town of Brewster". www.brewster-ma.gov. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  7. ^ "Old King's Highway Regional Historic District Committee | Town of Brewster". www.brewster-ma.gov. Retrieved September 14, 2023.