The Wampanoag Indians described the harbor and surrounding areas as "Mattapoisett- A place of rest"
Mattapoisett is a pleasant New England coastal town, with a large harbor on Buzzard"s Bay. Covering an area of 17.5 square miles, the town offers a wide range of living conditions varying from waterfront residences and colonial village homes to unique suburban developments and farm residences.
The town is bordered by small communities like Marion, Acushnet, and Fairhaven, while being about seven miles from the larger center of New Bedford, 37 miles from Providence, and 63 miles from Boston. As a result, it is possible to live in Mattapoisett, while making the daily commute to the city.
Nestled in the southwestern most corner of Plymouth County, Mattapoisett played an important role in New England’s whaling industry. Over 400 whaling vessels were built in Mattapoisett’s shipyard during the 18th and 19th century, including the Acushnet, the whaler that Herman Melville sailed to the South Seas on in 1841.
With only a little over 6,000 residents, Mattapoisett is small and close-knit. It’s a family-oriented and community-driven town. Popular local events include the July 4th road race and scholarship fundraiser, Harbor Days celebration, and holiday tree-lighting and caroling. Mattapoisett has five beaches: Mattapoisett Town Beach, Reservation Beach, Ned’s Point Beach, Godspeed Island Beach, and Aucoot Beach. Mattapoisett Town Beach features a newly renovated beach house and dock, and it’s staffed by lifeguards during the summer.
Ned’s Point Lighthouse is the town’s most recognizable landmark. Built in 1838, the 39-foot stone tower is one of the smallest active lighthouses in the world. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
Interstate 195 and U.S. Route 6 both run through Mattapoisett, making it easily accessible to commuters. Providence, Rhode Island, is 38 miles away. Boston is 60 miles to the north. Mattapoisett is part of the Old Rochester Regional School District, along with Marion and Rochester.
