Boston Flora

Tag: Trailside Museum

  • Saturday, September 14, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm – Trailside’s 60th Anniversary Celebration

    1959 was a big year. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation making Alaska and Hawaii states, the modern car seat belt was introduced, the first computer microchip was patented, and children began playing with Barbie dolls and the board game “Risk.”

    And 1959 was also when Blue Hills Trailside Museum in Milton first opened its doors. For the last 60 years, the Museum has continued to introduce visitors to the nature of Massachusetts and serve as a gateway to the Blue Hills. 

    Bring the whole family to Trailside Museum for a celebration of everything the sanctuary has accomplished in the past 60 years! Enjoy free admission all day as well as:

    • up-close encounters with live animals
    • special exhibits
    • engaging programs for all ages

    In 1974, Mass Audubon took over management of the Museum from the Commonwealth. We also renovated the old harbor defense command post on the summit of Chickatawbut Hill and converted it into an environmental education facility—now known as the Norman Smith Environmental Education Center.

    Trailside continues to grow and evolve. Over the years, changes have included the addition of an auditorium wing; redesigned indoor exhibits and outdoor animal enclosures; the creation of a native wildflower garden; and modifications to make the Museum welcoming and accessible to all.

    And in 2019, construction began on a project to completely rebuild the otter exhibit as a beautiful, naturalistic setting that improves animal care and our visitors’ experiences. For more information visit www.massaudubon.org.

  • Sunday, June 21, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – A Short Walk on a Long Day: The Blue Hills Reservation

    In his 1890 Waverly Oaks report, Charles Eliot suggested that Boston residents look beyond the city and into the suburbs for natural scenery to foster and preserve “an education in the love of beauty” and a means of “human enjoyment.” Contemplate Eliot’s efforts and ideas as the National Park Service leads a Summer Solstice walking tour on Sunday, June 21 from 5 – 7 to ascend the “Great Blue Hill”, which at 635 ft, is the highest point within 10 miles of the Atlantic coast south of central Maine. Prepare for moderate hike over rugged and rocky terrain. Meets at the Trailside Museum Parking lot. Operated in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Blue Hills Trailside Museum is the interpretive center for the state-owned Blue Hills Reservation and features a natural history museum and outdoor wildlife exhibits. The animals on display, including snowy owls and a river otter, have been rescued and would not survive in the wild. Free. For more information visit http://www.nps.gov/frla/planyourvisit/walks-and-talks.htm.  Photo from www.bu.edu.

  • Saturday, October 27, 9:00 am – 11:00 am – Blue Hills Reservation: Charles Eliot’s Master Plan

    In his 1890 Waverly Oaks report, Charles Eliot suggested that Boston residents look beyond the city and into the suburbs for natural scenery to foster and preserve “an education in the love of beauty” and “a means of human enjoyment.” Contemplate Eliot’s efforts and ideas as the National Park Service guide traverses the Blue Hills. Offered in partnership with the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Prepare for a moderate hike over rugged and rocky terrain. Meet at the Trailside Museum Parking Lot. For more information, visit www.nps.gov.