Our Community
Brewster, Massachusetts, is a picturesque seaside town on Cape Cod Bay about 90 miles from Boston. The town's year-round population of about 10,000 swells during the summer to around 30,000, as residents and visitors enjoy Brewster's renowned natural landscape, recreational and cultural opportunities, restaurants, and shops.
Brewster is recognized for its commitment to its natural environment highlighted by its 2022 acquisition of 120 waterfront acres that Town voters chose to protect from commercial development. The Town of Brewster encompasses approximately twenty-three square miles, including over 325 acres of bay-facing beach and marshlands, and over 80 freshwater ponds. Currently, over one-third of Brewster's land is protected for conservation, open space, recreation, and watershed management. Consequently, Brewster enjoys award-winning drinking water. The Town has a thriving aquaculture program and is well-known for its delicious oysters.
Brewster is home to the nationally acclaimed Captains Golf Courses, eleven beaches, tennis and pickleball courts, and a popular dog park. The 1,900-acre Nickerson State Park with numerous trails and ponds is situated in Brewster and the Cape Cod Rail Trail runs through the town. The Town plans to open an outdoor swimming pool in summer 2023.
Brewster was established in 1803 and uses an open town meeting form of government, led by an elected Select Board and Town Manager who manages day-to-day municipal operations. The Town actively engages the community through volunteer service on numerous Town committees as well as inviting citizen input into Town plans and projects. Brewster is well-known for environmental leadership in activities like the Pay-As-You-Throw model of solid waste management that encourages recycling and cuts waste (and costs). The Town launched a water-bottle filling station project to reduce the need for single-use disposable plastics. Brewster has two elementary schools, is part of the Nauset Regional School District and benefits from being part of Barnstable County Government.
The Brewster Historic Society interprets and celebrates the community’s rich history through a museum, an 18th century windmill and blacksmith shop. A historic grist mill operates in summer and adjoins a herring run where thousands of herring swim inland each spring. The Town’s Crosby Mansion was the largest private home on Cape Cod when it was built in 1888. It’s now open to the public periodically and for events. The Brewster Ladies Library is a free public library that’s served the community since 1852. Cultural events are hosted throughout the year including an annual winter festival called Brewster for the Holidays and a spring festival called Brewster in Bloom that includes a town parade. The Town hosts the Brewster Whitecaps, the Cape Cod Baseball League’s 2021 champions.