In a rustic one-room cabin nestled in the trees atop Brewster's Dry Hill stands the writing studio belonging to the great naturalist, author, and conservationist John Hay. When Hay died in 2011 at the age of 95 he left behind a legacy that bound together his two loves, literature and conservation. Brewster Conservation Trust has preserved Hay’s studio and is honoring his legacy by offering the space to Cape Cod writers who require a place in which to work on literary projects of their own.
Full and part-time residents of Cape Cod are eligible to apply for a one-week reservation at the John Hay Writing Studio located on the grounds of the Hay Conservation Center. The program runs May - October.
Writers may use the one-room studio during daylight hours for the full seven days of their reservation period. It is equipped with electricity, wifi, a space heater and a fan. A bathroom is just a short distance away.
The 2026 season runs May 4 – November 1 and will culminate with a writers’ reading sometime in November. Check back to this page or follow us on social media for information about this event and for information about future seasons at the John Hay Writing Studio.
