The Crosby Mansion — Attraction in Brewster

I worked in this beautiful place for about three months (August-October 1962) when it was still called Seascape, a summer camp primarily for overweight girls. Starting as part of a kitchen crew, my work eventually also involved ground maintenance. When the season ended and everyone was leaving, Dr. John Spargo -- the camp Director, a kindly person -- asked me to stay over to paint two new Seascape cottages on the beach and be a sort of one-man security for the camp premises, primarily the Crosby Mansion where I could stay. (I think he offered me the job knowing it would save me some money on prospective hotel bills, an expense I would have to incur prior to resuming my studies at Brandeis University in the fall).

I will never forget the thrill of being alone in this grand mansion especially at night when changes in temperature would make some of the stairs creak and somehow have the grand piano itself emit eerie sounds.

Fifteen years later (1987), I brought my wife to visit Cape Cod and while showing her the grounds and the Crosby Mansion where I stayed at night, a highway patrol car stopped to tell us the place was closed. I told the officer that I had work at Seascape as a young man and how it partly involved securing the Crosby Mansion in 1962. He laughed and said that I probably had more right than most people to visiting these grounds. He also added that the place had become a state historical site and, as he drove off, that we could stay as I finish reliving excellent memories of...

I lived in this beautifully restored home for about 2 months in 1971, when it was Camp Seascape. Hard to believe now that it was a camp at one time. There was another building, 2-stories, that was just rooms for the campers to sleep in, but it burned down years later. Always wondered why this mansion wasn't turned into a hotel again (I think it was at one time a hotel, too). I would just love to visit this place again, and look at my old bedroom (one big bedroom was partitioned, not reaching the ceiling, to make 2 "rooms".). How wonderful that it wasn't torn down, but instead has been restored! Hmm, I left an iron there...wonder if it's still...

I’ve been coming to the Cape for 20+ years and this is perhaps one of my favorite places I’ve seen. What a beautiful home and incredible story. I was very touched by the devotion and dedication of the volunteers that have saved this gem from eventual ruin. I thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone that has given their blood, sweat and tears, and spent the last 30 years of their lives helping to preserve this estate. Most of the people I spoke with were in their 70s, 80s and 90s. I would definitely recommend seeing this amazing place and speaking with the wonderful people that volunteer here. And find out how you can get...