A Metal Detecting Exploration at the Prentis/Brewster House

Step back into history as the Southern New England Relic Hunters search the grounds of the Prentis/Brewster House (built in 1812) for hidden traces of the past.

This elegant home was built by Dr. John Brewster, a Mayflower descendant, for his daughter Betsy Avery Brewster and her new husband, Joseph Prentis. Betsy’s half-brother was the remarkable deaf artist John Brewster, Jr. Beginning his career in 1796, he traveled New England as an itinerant limner, creating portraits that captured the spirit of rural America. Influenced by Connecticut artist Ralph Earl, his work grew into a distinct and celebrated American style.

At a time before universal sign language existed, Brewster learned to communicate through home signs and writing. He was largely self-taught as an artist, though the Rev. Joseph Steward offered him some guidance. Then in 1817, at the age of 51, Brewster enrolled as one of the very first students at the American Asylum for the Deaf. After three years, he returned home to Maine. He left behind a legacy of resilience and artistry.

Now, two centuries later, you’re invited to watch history come alive. See what the etectorists uncover beneath the soil. You’ll also learn more about the fascinating stories of the Brewster/Prentis family.

Betsy Avery Brewster as a Child, by John Brewster, Jr.

Metal Detecting at the Prentis/Brewster House

�� Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025
�� 1:00–3:00 p.m.
�� Prentis/Brewster House, 241 Main Street, Hampton, CT 06247
Free Program
Sponsored by the Hampton Antiquarian and Historical Society and Richard Prario, owner of the
Brewster/Prentis House

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