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Mashpee, MA

Frequently asked questions

Mashpee, MA

Mashpee is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States, on Cape Cod. The population was 15,060 as of 2020. The town is the site of the headquarters and most members of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, one of two federally recognized Wampanoag groups.

Cape Cod was occupied for more than ten thousand years by indigenous peoples. The historic Algonquian-speaking Wampanoag were the native people encountered by the English colonists here and in the area of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the seventeenth century. The Wampanoag also controlled a considerable coastal area. These two cultures would interact, shaping each other for decades.

After English colonists arrived, they began to settle the area of present-day Mashpee in 1658 with the assistance of the missionary Richard Bourne, from the neighboring town of Sandwich. In 1660 the colonists allowed those Christian Wampanoag who had been converted about 50 square miles (130 km2) in the English settlement. Beginning in 1665, the Wampanoag governed themselves with a court of law and trials according to English custom (they had long governed themselves according to their customs).

The colonists designated Mashpee on Cape Cod as the largest Indian reservation in Massachusetts. The town's name is an Anglicization of a native name, mass-nippe: mass is "great", or "greater" (see Massachusetts), and nippe is "water". The name has been translated as "the greater cove" "great pond," or "land near great cove", where the water being referenced is Wakeby Pond, which is greater at one end.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Mashpee has a total area of 27.2 square miles (70.5 km2), of which 23.4 square miles (60.6 km2) is land and 3.8 square miles (9.9 km2), or 14.10%, is water. Mashpee is on the "upper," or western, portion of Cape Cod. It is bounded by Sandwich to the north and northwest, Barnstable to the east, Nantucket Sound to the south, and Falmouth to the west. It is approximately 65 miles (105 km) south-southeast of Boston and 70 miles (110 km) east-southeast of Providence, Rhode Island.

Like all towns on the Cape, Mashpee's topography is that of sandy soil, small ponds, and inlets, surrounded by pines and oaks indigenous to the area. The town's shoreline is framed by Waquoit Bay to the west and Popponesset Bay to the east, with several rivers, brooks, and small ponds in the area. The town contains South Cape Beach State Park along Dead Neck and Waquoit Bay, and the Lowell Holly Reservation, comprising the land between Wakeby and Mashpee Ponds. Mashpee also borders a small area of Otis Air National Guard Base, Joint Base Cape Cod, and Camp Edwards in the northwest portion of the town. 

Mashpee places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Community Health Center and Mashpee Family Medicine offer a top-notch medical staff and a full spectrum of high-quality, state-of-the-art healthcare services. Liv Empowered Fitness provides a comprehensive gym experience with a variety of fitness classes and personal training options. At Therapeutic Bodywork, you can indulge in personalized massage therapy sessions tailored to your needs. For a holistic approach, Cape Cod Wellness Works provides yoga, energy work, and infrared sauna treatments. If you're seeking a luxurious spa experience, visit the Sea Salt Luxury Spa Studio for their exceptional services. Summerfield Spa offers a range of wellness treatments to cater to your needs.
 

Top Sites in Mashpee, MA are Mashpee Commons, South Cape Beach State Park, and Cape Cod Children's Museum.
 

ZIP Code: 02649. Elevation: 17 m. Area: 27.2 square miles (70.5 km2). Area Code: 508/774. Population: 15,060 (2020).

FAQs

What is Mashpee, MA known for?

Thanks to its sandy beaches, freshwater ponds, superior shopping, and enchanting woodlands, the town was named one of the best places to live on the coast by Coastal Living in 2019 and hailed a “newly rising New England classic”. Mashpee is home to three world-class championship golf courses, as well as the Cape’s only children’s museum, which provides hands-on opportunities to learn through play. Children can climb aboard a pirate ship, hone their musical skills, immerse themselves in a submarine, or cast their line in the museum’s fishing exhibit. Mashpee Commons, an open-air shopping center noted for its traditional New England-style architecture, serves as the downtown hub of the town, with a mix of specialty restaurants, national & local retailers, a public library, a bowling alley bistro, and residential options.

Is Mashpee, MA a good place to live?

Mashpee is a with a population of 15,144. Mashpee is in Barnstable County. Living in Mashpee offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Mashpee, there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many retirees live in Mashpee and residents tend to lean liberal. The public schools in Mashpee are above average.

Does Mashpee, MA have nice beaches?

The Town of Mashpee is rich in natural beauty from its seashore with sandy beaches and majestic views of Nantucket Sound and Vineyard Sound to four of the largest freshwater ponds on Cape Cod. Boating, fishing, bathing, and relaxation can be enjoyed on the Town’s waterways, which are found extensively on South Cape Beach, Waquoit Bay, and Popponesset Bay. The Mashpee River, a Town centerpiece, is a glistening ribbon that stretches from our largest and most popular freshwater kettle pond south for five miles until it reaches the saltwater of Popponesset Bay and Nantucket Sound.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Mashpee

Niche

Cape Cod Chamber

Mashpee Commons

South Cape Beach State Park

Cape Cod Children's Museum

Community Health Center

Mashpee Family Medicine

Liv Empowered Fitness

Therapeutic Bodywork

Cape Cod Wellness Works

Sea Salt Luxury Spa Studio

Summerfield Spa

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