In the Attic

Join us as we explore items in our collections both on and off display. Every other week we will feature a new-old item and share its story. We’re honored to be the repository for such wonderful Brewster treasures and thank our generous donors past and present for entrusting them to our care.

In the Attic - Cape Verdean Immigration

February 24, 2021 Brewster Historical

Brewster ship captains sailing large trading vessels would stop at the Cape Verde archipelago in the central Atlantic Ocean to restock supplies. Cape Verdean men sometimes joined early trading ships as crew.

In the Attic - Slave Enumeration Document

February 9, 2021 Brewster Historical

The c. 1890s game of Jackstraws is similar to today’s game of pick-up-sticks. Wooden “straws” shaped like farming implements are spread onto a table and players try to remove them one-by-one without disturbing the other straws. In addition to the jackstraws there is a “helper” piece with a hooked edge to help move the sticks about. Each stick has a point value (penciled onto it), one stick having faces on it; perhaps the most coveted one, for it indicates a point value of “50.” At game’s end, the player with the highest point tally wins.