DENNIS

town (township), Barnstable county, southeastern Massachusetts, U.S. It extends across Cape Cod and includes the villages of Dennis, Dennis Port (Dennisport), East Dennis, South Dennis, and West Dennis. Settled in 1639, it was a part of Yarmouth until 1793, when it was incorporated and named for Josiah Dennis, pastor of the first meetinghouse. Clipper ships were once built in Shiverick Shipyard (East Dennis). Tourism and other service-related activities are now the basis of the economy, and cranberry cultivation is also important. The Cape Playhouse is a restored colonial meetinghouse and one of the best-known summer-stock theatres in the eastern United States. Historic sites include the Josiah Dennis Manse (1736) and Jericho House (1801). Area 21 square miles (54 square km). Pop. (1990) 13,864; (1996 est.) 14,423.