Charitable contributions have been a part of Brewster Academy from its founding days.

 In 1820, a group of individuals met in Ichabod Libbey’s tavern and voted to establish a school of higher learning for students from Wolfeboro and Tuftonboro. The group launched a $5,000 fundraising campaign to erect a building for “an academy” located where Wolfeboro’s town hall now stands.

 Philanthropic support forever changed the Academy in 1887 when businessman John Brewster left 42 acres of land, including a half mile of frontage on Lake Winnipesaukee, to the school. The name was changed to Brewster Free Academy and Brewster’s will stipulated that an annual amount be paid from his estate, given “so as near as possible to make instruction and education therein free.”

 In 1890 Arthur Estabrook’s significant contribution to the Academy supported the construction of an academic building on the new lakeside campus. Estabrook, who was Brewster’s business partner, later donated his home to the Academy, along with four other houses on South Main Street.

In the late 1930s it became evident that Brewster’s legacy would not be able to keep Brewster Free Academy “free” for students for much longer. Although there was money for tuition and textbooks, there were no funds available to repair or improve the current facilities or to erect new ones.

 Many local students from families of modest means had benefitted from the legacy, but the future now looked uncertain for the Academy and so the first fundraising appeal went out to alumni in 1939.

 From 1940 through 1964, the local communities served by Brewster helped subsidize the operation of the Academy by paying modest tuition fees – until the public school district built its own high school. During those years, fundraising continued to play a significant role in helping the Academy meet the needs of the students. In 1951 a five-year building and development campaign raised funds for what would become Rogers Gymnasium.

The continued generosity of alumni, parents, and friends from the second half of the 20th century to the present has made it possible to maintain and evolve the campus facilities and grounds.

 Brewster continues to change to meet the demands and evolving needs of each generation of students but the principle upon which its founders built the Academy – to educate students of character and promise – has remained unchanged. So many dedicated faculty throughout the school’s history have been able to instill this founding principle in students because of the many individuals who have believed in the school’s mission and vision.

 One of these individuals is Candace Crawshaw ’64 (above), who holds a special connection to Brewster. Having left the United States at age four for a childhood abroad, she did not return to live in her native country until she arrived at Brewster Academy at age 16. “Brewster gave me roots and brought me home,” she says. For these roots and her many fond memories and lasting friendships, Crawshaw is forever grateful. “It’s important that we give back and not take Brewster for granted.”

Candace has been giving back for four decades and in 2005 she also welcomed the opportunity to become a Brewster trustee.