Dennis MA

Dennis, Massachusetts began as a part of the town of Yarmouth. As people moved farther away from the town proper and the church, they built a new church of their own closer to their homes. The new church was led by the Reverend Josiah Dennis and the people broke away from Yarmouth and were incorporated in 1793. Current residents are very proud of the fact that Dennis was named an All American Town in 1978. It encompasses 22 square miles and has a population of nearly 14,000.

During the seafaring days, when whaling and salt making were the primary sources of income for the town, there were 379 sea captains living in Dennis. Many of their fine homes remain, now converted into galleries or bed and breakfasts. The home of Josiah Dennis now houses a museum dedicated to the history of the town. On the grounds, you will find a one-room schoolhouse, circa 1770. Cranberries are a huge crop all over Cape Cod, but it was in Dennis that grower Henry Hall discovered that by adding sand to the soil of the cranberries improved both the taste and the yield. This has benefited growers all over the Cape.

Another staple of the Cape Cod summer is live theater and Dennis is home to the Cape Cod Playhouse, the oldest professional theater group in the country. The building that houses the theater began as a Unitarian Church in 1838. It was used as a livery stable, a tin shop, and a slaughterhouse before being purchased by Raymond Moore in 1926 and brought to Dennis for renovation and use as a theater.

In 1927, the first production was staged starring Basil Rathbone of “Sherlock Holmes” fame. Many famous names have appeared at the Playhouse including Humphrey Bogart, Henry and Jane Fonda, Ginger Rogers and a young Bette Davis, who was discovered as she worked as an usher at the theater. Also on the grounds of the Playhouse, is a fine arts movie house and the Cape Museum of Fine Arts, which houses a large collection of works by artists from around the Cape.

There are sixteen ocean beaches in Dennis and two at freshwater lakes, making it a great place for the swimming or fishing enthusiast. The Tony Kent arena offers ice-skating and perhaps even a glimpse of Nancy Kerrigan or other nationally known skaters as they practice their routines.

There are two golf courses, bike trails, tennis courts and wooded areas for hiking. Dennis is a wonderful choice for a vacation filled with activities, history and culture.