Then, in 1950 a Village of “low-cost,” small cottages was first advertised in the March second edition of “Engineering News-Record,” as the island’s utilization morphed once again, this time into a quaint, active, family-orientated retreat, dubbed for the very first time, “Mashnee Village.” These properties were sold off and over time, the small, humble, cottages were inhabited, for a week, a month, the entire summer, or a lifetime, by a tightly knit community of incredibly friendly and caring folks, everyone, from youngsters to old-timers. The island is known for its spirit and a special brand of karma all its own, so thick in positive kismet you can taste it in the air!
Mr. Days and his staff would handle summer rentals, supply furniture for the cottages as well as rentalable items such as radios, cots, chairs, electric fans, and the like for the convenience of summer vacationers. All these goods and services along with weekly rental check-in available at the Mashnee Office.
Taking a page from other popular vacation spots, Days added an entertainment “complex.” In addition to a large recreation facility with an always-crowded snack bar and breezy lounge and piano bar, he added an in-ground saltwater pool and a playground for rambunctious children. Movie night, Bingo, and Square Dancing and The Weenie Roast made for pleasant diversions as well.
Once the rental cottage decision was made, the remainder of the island was platted, and parcels on the “rich” (as we called it) half of the island were sold to individual purchasers. Those lots had significant building restrictions. Gradually, more and more cottages were sold off until not a single rental cottage remained.
Due to the island’s secluded location, interest in summer rentals typically traveled via word-of-mouth, or was generated by folks driving around the Bourne rotary and noticing the large sign which read: “Stephen A. Days Insurance & Real Estate – Mashnee Village Rentals Available.” The sign, bearing a large yellow and black arrow, swayed back and forth with an occasional snap and chink in the well-worn rope, inducing would-be renters to pull into the agency’s driveway.
Days had appealing cottages available for weekly, monthly, summer (and occasionally winter) rental. And most of the time his presentation resulted in a rental document being signed and a deposit check being tendered.
There are now, give or take about 145 homes on Mashnee. All privately owned. Only a small shuffleboard court, dedicated to the island’s doctor, remains from the quintessential hub of entertainment which once stood proud.
Back then the Days’ family owned the most spectacular home on Mashnee. It was located on the tip of the island, where Captains Row curved and turned into Mooring. Complete with amazing views, an indoor swimming pool, and a masterfully landscaped yard, which boasted a large, complicated garden maze crafted from the greenery, we called “Days’ Maze,” a twisty massive collection of lush, thick hedges one could lose themselves in.
Oh yeah, there’s one more thing you should know about Mashnee Island.
It belonged to us kids.
****
Barry Frank Cohen
is a first-time author and former long-time resident of the greatest place on earth, Mashnee Island! Although brand new to fiction, Barry has authored private poetry for fifty years. His father is a professional poet.
Barry is an Arizona State University graduate and currently lives with his wife, Jackie, near their adult children, Daniel and Jessica, in Milton in Massachusetts, When Barry isn’t writing he’s selling real estate and playing with his four beloved grandchildren, Nelly, Tripp, Brooks and Hayes. Barry started spending his summer’s at Mashnee Island when he was seven years old. Writing this book was a lifelong ambition. Barry’s next novel, entitled, “Boscage” is in the works.
Mashnee Island Archives
- Earliest Verified Print References:
Jan 1, 1789: American State Papers: Vol 1 - First reference to “Mashnee Island” in recorded print (perhaps).
December 13, 1879: “Water Colors” by E.D. Boit, Jr. & Wm. Tudor -Earliest ‘book’ referencing “Mashnee Island.”
January 1, 1884: The Auk, American Ornithologists’ Union: Vol 1-53 -Early reference to “Mashnee,” topic, birds.
July 8, 1897: The Independent: Vol 49 Iss 2536 - Earliest reference to “Mashnee Island” in publication.
September 5, 1903: Forest & Stream Weekly, Road & Gun: Vol 61 Iss 10 - “Mashnee Island “ClamBake.”
1904: “Education through the Imagination” by Margaret McMillan - One of the earliest published books referencing “Camp Mashnee.”
1911: NY, NH & Hartford Railroad Company Buzzards Bay, Mass - “Mashnee Island.”
January 1, 1912: “A History of game birds, wild-fowl and shore birds.”- “Mashnee Island, near Tobey Island.’
October, 1923: The American Boy: V 24 N0 6 - “Mashnee Island.”
May, 1923: Harper’s Magazine: V 146 Iss 87 - “Camp Mashnee for Boys.”
September 1, 1923: The Newton Graphic - “Camp Mashnee.”
May 1, 1924: Yachting: V 35 Iss 5 - “Camp Mashnee.”
January 4, 1926: Vogue: V 67 Iss 7- “Mashnee Island Tutoring Camp for Boys.”
January 1, 1927: American Rifleman: Vol 75 Iss 1 - “Camp Mashnee at Monument Beach.”
May 19, 1927: Christian Science Monitor: Vol 19 Iss 147 - “Mashnee Island Camp for Boys.”
August, 1927: Camping: Vol 2 Iss 8 - “Camp Mashnee at Buzzards Bay.”
March 2, 1950: Engineering News-Record: Vol 144 Iss 9 - First printed reference to “Mashnee VILLAGE” (Real Estate Advertisement).
May 1, 1951: American Builder: Vol 73 Iss 5 - Second printed reference to “Mashnee VILLAGE on Buzzards Bay” (New low-cost 100 unit housing).
August 7, 1962: Federal Bureau of Investigation, File BS92-115 - FBI interrogation of Raymond L.S. Patriarca regarding knowledge of Joseph Krikorian renting four Mashnee cottages in July, 1962 to persons who may have been “gamblers and racketeers.”
Acknowledgments
I started writing this book during the pandemic, when I finally had time to scribe the novel I’ve been contemplating for decades. The original idea for this book came to me after seeing a live production of West Side Story at the Cape Cod Melody Tent, when I was a little kid vacationing with my sister and parents at Mashnee.
Telling this story was a labor of love. Along the way I had incredible help and support from a myriad of wonderful people. Mere thank you’s seem weak and insufficient, but I’ll do my best.
My father, Sherman Cohen. A professional poet from Boca Raton, Florida. My dad, more than anyone, was my chief supporter and fanboy. When I faltered, he spoke to my creativeness and shared methods of storytelling. Without Dad’s inspiration, this book would have remained a dream.
