Great 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 resent times the island has been home to summer cottages for local families and for U.S. soldiers who manned an observation post during WW II. The military post included 90mm rapid-fire guns, searchlight stations, and a command post that aided in controlling the harbor’s minefield.
(from the NPS)

In July 1891, four daring women from Lowell, Massachusetts stayed in a ramshackle cottage on Great Brewster Island. See a short YouTube Video.

Other web sites of interest:
Wikipedia -  Great Brewster
Shipwrecks of Boston Harbor

WATW Radio Interviews
Part 1 – Great Brewster Island – 2011 Boston Harbor Islands Series
Part 2 – Great Brewster Island – 2011 Boston Harbor Islands Series
Part 3 – Great Brewster Island – 2011 Boston Harbor Islands Series
Part 4 – Great Brewster Island – 2011 Boston Harbor Islands Series

Photos from a 2011 Great Brewster Island Trip by member Ken S. (thank you!)

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