Brewster has taken action to protect the town's historic character by establishing sign codes and site plan review by-laws and is in the process of updating its comprehensive plan. In 1985, the town took steps to protect its open space and water quality by purchasing close to 700 acres of land. Currently, over one-third of Brewster's land has been retained for conservation, open space, recreation and watershed protection. Consequently, Brewster boasts award-winning drinking water and two nationally acclaimed 18-hole golf courses among other recreation sites. Nickerson State Park contains 400 acres of trails for biking and hiking, camping areas, and freshwater ponds for swimming, fishing and boating. Brewster has over 15 bed and breakfast inns and over 30 art galleries, craft shops and antique shops, most of which are along historic Route 6A, the old "King's Highway".

Brewster's current year-round population of about 8,400 grows to about 20,000 in the summer season as visitors come to sample the diversions of the town.  Web Site

The town operates under the town meeting form of government. The executive officers are a board of five part-time selectmen and an executive secretary. Once a year, the citizens meet to discuss articles in a town warrant and pass or reject them. Most funds spent by the town are voted at this meeting. The citizens of Chatham enjoy the special benefits of forward-looking zoning and current planning, and of both public and private conservation efforts.

Warm summer days with cool summer nights, beautiful warm Indian summers and relatively mild winters make Chatham a comfortable place in which to live year-round or vacation.  Web Site

In 1775, when Separatists and Baptists outnumbered Orthodox Congregationalists, Harwich burghers felt independent enough to refuse to support a minister with public tax monies and they continued refusing to do so for 18 years. The town showed religious diversity from the first, including residents who are Baptists, Methodists, Reformed Methodists (anti-episcopal), Wesleyans and Catholics, among others.

Commercial, motel and condominium development has been intense along the Route 28 corridor and suburban development has significantly decreased the remaining agricultural landscape, but the town retains much of its 19th century character, including period Portuguese farmhouses.  Web Site

The Colonial economy was built on agriculture, especially corn, rye and wheat, plus the growing of hay and vegetables. In the 18th century commercial fishing and shellfishing supplemented local incomes and residents worked on herring boats and went after whales. By the 19th century, coastal packets from Boston were being serviced and several windmills created power resources in the town, but the heaviest reliance by residents was on cod and mackerel fishing. Life long residents recall that in those days the very old and the very young farmed, while all the able-bodied men fished. Fishing in Orleans declined as competition from larger boats and larger ports grew, but the town had established a commercial importance on the Cape as a market center for other communities, that continues into the 20th century.

Small businesses like the Mayo Duck Farm that produced 50,000 ducklings in 1918 were welcomed by the town, but the major modern change in Orleans was spurred by the impact of summer development. This resort home development, which accelerated between 1915 and 1940 and still continues, has had the greatest effect on the town and in turn has supported increasing commercial development along Route 6.  Web Site