what's thereGreat Brewster Island is the largest island in Boston's outer harbor at 19 acres of upland and 49 acres of intertidal area. It offers spectacular views of Boston's inner harbor, Massachusetts Bay, and Boston Lighthouse, America's oldest light station. In fact, from Great Brewster's 100 feet high bluffs, one can see four lighthouses.
While walking the island's trails, a visitor will see a salt marsh, gull breeding grounds and nurseries, the remains of a military bunker and observation post, and the stone wall foundations of summer cottages. Along the shoreline one can investigate tidal pools and, on most days, one can see lobster boats working their traps and several private boats fishing the many rock outcroppings that ring Great Brewster and the other outer islands.
There is no dock at Great Brewster Island.
Operating Hours & Seasons
The island is open from 9:00 am until sunset, however no visitor services are provided.
short historyGreat Brewster Island was named for Elder William Brewster, the first preacher and teacher for the Plymouth Colony. Thousands of years before the English settlers named the island, Native Americans used it as a summer residence and utilized its natural resources. In more recent times the island has been home to summer cottages for local families and for U.S. soldiers who manned an observation post during World War II. The military post included 90mm rapid-fire guns, searchlight stations, and a command post that aided in controlling the harbor's minefield.
Geologically, Great Brewster is unique in that while all other islands in the outer harbor are outcroppings of bedrock, Great Brewster is a 'drumlin' island formed by a glacial deposit of clay and gavel. Many of the drumlin islands in Boston harbor are in the shape of an upside down spoon, of which Great Brewster is a classic example.
managing agencyThis island of Boston Harbor Islands national park area is managed by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) through a permit to Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center.
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