Welcome!
Welcome to the web page of the Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands. Our group of spirited volunteers has worked on behalf of the islands for three decades (since 1979!). Our non-profit group leads tours, provides visitor service, hosts activities and educational programs. If you see someone in a blue shirt on the Boston Harbor Islands, chances are it’s a Friend. 2013 EVENTS / SCHEDULE - CLICK HERE. [banner photo by Stephanie Schorow] SCROLL DOWN OUR PAGES TO SEE ALL OF OUR CONTENT. Please note, to use PayPal, our credit card processor, you do not have to sign up for a Paypal account, you can use your existing credit card.
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Little Brewster / Boston Light - Island Sunset Adventures - Wednesday nights
Departs Rowes Warf, 60 Rowes Wharf, Boston. Departs the dock at 6pm - returns 9pm.
Wednesday, June 26th - Little Brewster Island/Boston Light
Explore and visit the location of the first light house in the 'new world' - Since 1716 Little Brewster has been the home of the famous Boston Light. This trip will leave on June 26th. Come join us on a guided tour! The boat we will travel in has no rest rooms, and will require moderate effort boarding at the dock in Boston and landing at the dock at Little Brewster Island. Little Brewster itself will include rocky beach and grass covered pathways, featuring some un-stable stones occasionally. Bring your own food and drink (& carry off!). The trip travels rain or shine with no refunds. Trip canceled ONLY by captains orders.
Purchase orders quickly & easily using Brown Paper Tickets (below) and print your own ticket or keep your ticket on your smart phone. Not computer savvy? Send your check to FBHI 30 Shipyard Drive, #202, Hingham MA 02043 at least 12 days before the trip to allow for processing. Learn more at LITTLE BREWSTER.
Wednesday, June 26th - Little Brewster Island/Boston Light
Explore and visit the location of the first light house in the 'new world' - Since 1716 Little Brewster has been the home of the famous Boston Light. This trip will leave on June 26th. Come join us on a guided tour! The boat we will travel in has no rest rooms, and will require moderate effort boarding at the dock in Boston and landing at the dock at Little Brewster Island. Little Brewster itself will include rocky beach and grass covered pathways, featuring some un-stable stones occasionally. Bring your own food and drink (& carry off!). The trip travels rain or shine with no refunds. Trip canceled ONLY by captains orders.
Purchase orders quickly & easily using Brown Paper Tickets (below) and print your own ticket or keep your ticket on your smart phone. Not computer savvy? Send your check to FBHI 30 Shipyard Drive, #202, Hingham MA 02043 at least 12 days before the trip to allow for processing. Learn more at LITTLE BREWSTER.
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Calf Island - a special Sunday Tour
Sunday, June 30th visit Calf Island
In 1902, Benjamin P. Cheney and his wife, actress Julia Arthur built a colonial style, two-story summer estate with roofs used to collect rainwater. The last of the estate remains were burned in 1971, and one of two chimneys was toppled by vandals in the 1990s. The US Government acquired rights to the island during WWI until the end of WWII.(from the NPS). Calf is not serviced by any of the harbor ferries and this trip tends to sell out - Come join us on a guided tour! The boat we will travel in has no rest rooms, and will require moderate effort boarding at the dock in Boston and landing at the beach at Calf Island. Calf itself will include rocky beach and grass covered pathways, featuring some un-stable stones occasionally. Calf has some challenging steep paths and often many birds nesting. Bring your own food and drink (& carry off!). The trip travels rain or shine with no refunds. Trip canceled ONLY by captains orders.
Departs Rowes Wharf, 50 Rowes Wharf, Boston 02110 at 10 am returns at 2pm
Purchase orders quickly & easily using Brown Paper Tickets (below) and print your own ticket or keep your ticket on your smart phone. Not computer savvy? Send your check to FBHI 30 Shipyard Drive, #202, Hingham MA 02043 at least 12 days before the trip to allow for processing.
In 1902, Benjamin P. Cheney and his wife, actress Julia Arthur built a colonial style, two-story summer estate with roofs used to collect rainwater. The last of the estate remains were burned in 1971, and one of two chimneys was toppled by vandals in the 1990s. The US Government acquired rights to the island during WWI until the end of WWII.(from the NPS). Calf is not serviced by any of the harbor ferries and this trip tends to sell out - Come join us on a guided tour! The boat we will travel in has no rest rooms, and will require moderate effort boarding at the dock in Boston and landing at the beach at Calf Island. Calf itself will include rocky beach and grass covered pathways, featuring some un-stable stones occasionally. Calf has some challenging steep paths and often many birds nesting. Bring your own food and drink (& carry off!). The trip travels rain or shine with no refunds. Trip canceled ONLY by captains orders.
Departs Rowes Wharf, 50 Rowes Wharf, Boston 02110 at 10 am returns at 2pm
Purchase orders quickly & easily using Brown Paper Tickets (below) and print your own ticket or keep your ticket on your smart phone. Not computer savvy? Send your check to FBHI 30 Shipyard Drive, #202, Hingham MA 02043 at least 12 days before the trip to allow for processing.
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Calf Islands rocky shore, photo by Margurite Krup
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Julia Arthur, once lived on Calf Island with her husband Benjamin Cheney
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Long Island / Fort Strong - Island Sunset Adventures - Wednesday Nights
Wednesday, July 10th & August 21 - Long Island/Fort Strong
Long Island has one of the most varied histories of the Harbor Islands and Long Island is the largest and longest Boston Harbor Island. The Long Island Bridge connects Long to Moon Island; a two-lane causeway connects Moon Island to Squantum, City of Quincy.
Prehistoric habitation sites may exist on Long Island, according to archaeologists. In 1634, tenant farming on Long Island began with 40 families. Long Island Light was built in 1819. In 1863, Fort Wightman, later renamed Fort Strong, was built, near which are buried the remains of 79 Civil War soldiers. During World War I, 500 soldiers were stationed at Fort Strong. The Fort, long abandoned, stands in disrepair. In the 1950s, a Nike missile base was established. After the missiles were removed, the base stored books from the Boston Public Library.
For much of the 19th century, Long Island was a resort. By 1882, the City of Boston acquired the largest hotel and in 1891 converted it into a poor house for 650 people. In 1921, the City converted the almshouse into a home and hospital for unwed mothers; in 1928, it built an addition to house homeless men; and in 1941, it enlarged this facility to provide treatment for alcoholics. The 60-acre Long Island Chronic Care Hospital later closed.
Departs Rowes Wharf , 50 Rowes Wharf, Boston 02110
Purchase orders quickly & easily using Brown Paper Tickets (below) and print your own ticket or keep your ticket on your smart phone. Not computer savvy? Send your check to FBHI 30 Shipyard Drive, #202, Hingham MA 02043 at least 12 days before the trip to allow for processing. Learn more at LONG ISLAND
Long Island has one of the most varied histories of the Harbor Islands and Long Island is the largest and longest Boston Harbor Island. The Long Island Bridge connects Long to Moon Island; a two-lane causeway connects Moon Island to Squantum, City of Quincy.
Prehistoric habitation sites may exist on Long Island, according to archaeologists. In 1634, tenant farming on Long Island began with 40 families. Long Island Light was built in 1819. In 1863, Fort Wightman, later renamed Fort Strong, was built, near which are buried the remains of 79 Civil War soldiers. During World War I, 500 soldiers were stationed at Fort Strong. The Fort, long abandoned, stands in disrepair. In the 1950s, a Nike missile base was established. After the missiles were removed, the base stored books from the Boston Public Library.
For much of the 19th century, Long Island was a resort. By 1882, the City of Boston acquired the largest hotel and in 1891 converted it into a poor house for 650 people. In 1921, the City converted the almshouse into a home and hospital for unwed mothers; in 1928, it built an addition to house homeless men; and in 1941, it enlarged this facility to provide treatment for alcoholics. The 60-acre Long Island Chronic Care Hospital later closed.
Departs Rowes Wharf , 50 Rowes Wharf, Boston 02110
Purchase orders quickly & easily using Brown Paper Tickets (below) and print your own ticket or keep your ticket on your smart phone. Not computer savvy? Send your check to FBHI 30 Shipyard Drive, #202, Hingham MA 02043 at least 12 days before the trip to allow for processing. Learn more at LONG ISLAND
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Lovells Island / Fort Standish - Island Sunset Adventures - Wednesday Night
Wednesday, July 31 - Lovells Island/Fort Standish
Amazing views, Fort Standish and more! Come with us to visit Lovells Island in Boston Harbor.
62-acre Lovells has trails that pass by dunes and woods, picnic areas, an unsupervised swimming beach, and the remains of Fort Standish. Low tide exposes an additional 71 acres, for a total size of 120 acres. The island was seasonally occupied by Native Americans. During the colonial period, the island was granted to Charlestown for timber harvesting and fishing, with half of the timber reserved for the fort on Castle Island. With its location along the first shipping channel into Boston, it briefly served as a quarantine station in the 1600s and was the nearest island to many shipwrecks. The country's first "hut of refuge" was constructed on the island by the Massachusetts Humane Society. In 1902 it was decided to construct two navigational range lights to assist mariners using the South Channel. In 1919, Charles Jennings, previously at Boston Light, became keeper at Lovells' range lights.
Departs Rowes Wharf , 50 Rowes Wharf, Boston 02110
Purchase orders quickly & easily using Brown Paper Tickets (below) and print your own ticket or keep your ticket on your smart phone. Not computer savvy? Send your check to FBHI 30 Shipyard Drive, #202, Hingham MA 02043 at least 12 days before the trip to allow for processing. To learn more visit LOVELLS ISLAND
Amazing views, Fort Standish and more! Come with us to visit Lovells Island in Boston Harbor.
62-acre Lovells has trails that pass by dunes and woods, picnic areas, an unsupervised swimming beach, and the remains of Fort Standish. Low tide exposes an additional 71 acres, for a total size of 120 acres. The island was seasonally occupied by Native Americans. During the colonial period, the island was granted to Charlestown for timber harvesting and fishing, with half of the timber reserved for the fort on Castle Island. With its location along the first shipping channel into Boston, it briefly served as a quarantine station in the 1600s and was the nearest island to many shipwrecks. The country's first "hut of refuge" was constructed on the island by the Massachusetts Humane Society. In 1902 it was decided to construct two navigational range lights to assist mariners using the South Channel. In 1919, Charles Jennings, previously at Boston Light, became keeper at Lovells' range lights.
Departs Rowes Wharf , 50 Rowes Wharf, Boston 02110
Purchase orders quickly & easily using Brown Paper Tickets (below) and print your own ticket or keep your ticket on your smart phone. Not computer savvy? Send your check to FBHI 30 Shipyard Drive, #202, Hingham MA 02043 at least 12 days before the trip to allow for processing. To learn more visit LOVELLS ISLAND
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Southern & Northern Lighthouse Tours - Saturdays in June/July/August/September
Southern Tours (tickets sold using the "TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW" LINK ON THE LEFT - Passing Long Island after departing Downtown Boston, we'll hug the South Shore of Massachusetts and get as close as possible to Minot's, Gurnet and Bug Lights. On the return we'll pas near Boston and Grave's Lights. Tour dates: June 8, July 20, August 17.
Northern Tours (tickets sold using the "TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW" LINK ON THE RIGHT - After leaving Boston Harbor you'll cruise North for close-up views of Hospital Point, Fort Pickering, Ten Pound Island, Marblehead, Gloucester Breakwater, Eastern Point and Bakers Island Lighthouses. The Twin lights on Thatcher Island will be our farthest destination. Tour dates: July 6, August 3 and 31, September 28.
Purchase orders quickly & easily using Brown Paper Tickets and print your own ticket or keep your ticket on your smart phone. Not computer savvy? Send your check to FBHI 30 Shipyard Drive, #202, Hingham MA 02043 at least 12 days before the trip to allow for processing.
Lighthouse tours pass near the lighthouses but do not physically stop or dock at the lighthouses. Routes are at the captain's discretion, extensive narration on each tour. Snack bar on-board. Boats are operated by Boston Harbor Cruises (BHC) and depart promptly at 10am from 1 Long Wharf (next to the New England Aquarium). Be prepared for rolling seas/swells - sea sickness remedies may be needed depending on your personal situation. Refunds ONLY if the trip is canceled by the captain.
Northern Tours (tickets sold using the "TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW" LINK ON THE RIGHT - After leaving Boston Harbor you'll cruise North for close-up views of Hospital Point, Fort Pickering, Ten Pound Island, Marblehead, Gloucester Breakwater, Eastern Point and Bakers Island Lighthouses. The Twin lights on Thatcher Island will be our farthest destination. Tour dates: July 6, August 3 and 31, September 28.
Purchase orders quickly & easily using Brown Paper Tickets and print your own ticket or keep your ticket on your smart phone. Not computer savvy? Send your check to FBHI 30 Shipyard Drive, #202, Hingham MA 02043 at least 12 days before the trip to allow for processing.
Lighthouse tours pass near the lighthouses but do not physically stop or dock at the lighthouses. Routes are at the captain's discretion, extensive narration on each tour. Snack bar on-board. Boats are operated by Boston Harbor Cruises (BHC) and depart promptly at 10am from 1 Long Wharf (next to the New England Aquarium). Be prepared for rolling seas/swells - sea sickness remedies may be needed depending on your personal situation. Refunds ONLY if the trip is canceled by the captain.
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Great Brewster Island - a Special Sunday Trip
Sunday, September 15th visit Great Brewster Island - Departs Rowes Wharf , 50 Rowes Wharf, Boston 02110 - at 12 noon, returns at 5pm.
Great Brewster Island was named for Elder William Brewster, the first preacher and teacher for the Plymouth Colony. Thousands of years before the English settlers named the island, Native Americans used it as a summer residence and utilized its natural resources. In more resent times the island has been home to summer cottages for local families and for U.S. soldiers who manned an observation post during WW II. The military post included 90mm rapid-fire guns, searchlight stations, and a command post that aided in controlling the harbor’s minefield. (from the NPS)
In July 1891, four daring women from Lowell, Massachusetts stayed in a ramshackle cottage on Great Brewster Island. See a short YouTube Video describing their stay to the right titled "Roughing it on Great Brewster Island" before you come on the trip and get a feel for what it was like back in 1891!
The boat we will travel in has no rest rooms, and will require moderate effort boarding at the dock in Boston and landing at the beach at Great Brewster Island. Great Brewster itself will include rocky beach and grass covered pathways, featuring some un-stable stones occasionally. Calf has some challenging steep paths and often many birds nesting. Bring your own food and drink (& carry off!). The trip travels rain or shine with no refunds. Trip canceled ONLY by captains orders.
Purchase orders quickly & easily using Brown Paper Tickets (below) and print your own ticket or keep your ticket on your smart phone. Not computer savvy? Send your check to FBHI 30 Shipyard Drive, #202, Hingham MA 02043 at least 12 days before the trip to allow for processing.
Great Brewster Island was named for Elder William Brewster, the first preacher and teacher for the Plymouth Colony. Thousands of years before the English settlers named the island, Native Americans used it as a summer residence and utilized its natural resources. In more resent times the island has been home to summer cottages for local families and for U.S. soldiers who manned an observation post during WW II. The military post included 90mm rapid-fire guns, searchlight stations, and a command post that aided in controlling the harbor’s minefield. (from the NPS)
In July 1891, four daring women from Lowell, Massachusetts stayed in a ramshackle cottage on Great Brewster Island. See a short YouTube Video describing their stay to the right titled "Roughing it on Great Brewster Island" before you come on the trip and get a feel for what it was like back in 1891!
The boat we will travel in has no rest rooms, and will require moderate effort boarding at the dock in Boston and landing at the beach at Great Brewster Island. Great Brewster itself will include rocky beach and grass covered pathways, featuring some un-stable stones occasionally. Calf has some challenging steep paths and often many birds nesting. Bring your own food and drink (& carry off!). The trip travels rain or shine with no refunds. Trip canceled ONLY by captains orders.
Purchase orders quickly & easily using Brown Paper Tickets (below) and print your own ticket or keep your ticket on your smart phone. Not computer savvy? Send your check to FBHI 30 Shipyard Drive, #202, Hingham MA 02043 at least 12 days before the trip to allow for processing.
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Rainsford Island in the Fall, Saturday, October 5
Departs Rowes Warf, 60 Rowes Wharf, Boston. Departs the dock at 10am - returns 2pm.
276 years ago Edward Rainsford farmed this beautiful island in Boston Harbor. Years later it was a quarantine hospital, Civil War Veterans home and school for boys. Come join us on a guided tour! The boat we will travel in has no rest rooms, and will require moderate effort boarding at the dock in Boston and landing at the beach at Rainsford. Rainsford itself will include rocky beach and pathways, featuring some un-stable stones occasionally. Bring your own food and drink (& carry off!). The trip travels rain or shine with no refunds. Trip canceled ONLY by captains orders. See the beautiful colors that the fall brings to New England and Boston Harbor!
Purchase orders quickly & easily using Brown Paper Tickets (below) and print your own ticket or keep your ticket on your smart phone. Not computer savvy? Send your check to FBHI 30 Shipyard Drive, #202, Hingham MA 02043 at least 12 days before the trip to allow for processing. Learn more at RAINSFORD.
276 years ago Edward Rainsford farmed this beautiful island in Boston Harbor. Years later it was a quarantine hospital, Civil War Veterans home and school for boys. Come join us on a guided tour! The boat we will travel in has no rest rooms, and will require moderate effort boarding at the dock in Boston and landing at the beach at Rainsford. Rainsford itself will include rocky beach and pathways, featuring some un-stable stones occasionally. Bring your own food and drink (& carry off!). The trip travels rain or shine with no refunds. Trip canceled ONLY by captains orders. See the beautiful colors that the fall brings to New England and Boston Harbor!
Purchase orders quickly & easily using Brown Paper Tickets (below) and print your own ticket or keep your ticket on your smart phone. Not computer savvy? Send your check to FBHI 30 Shipyard Drive, #202, Hingham MA 02043 at least 12 days before the trip to allow for processing. Learn more at RAINSFORD.
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New Benefit for Members - $2 off tickets to Boston's Best Cruises
BBC's Voyager II (one of their many boats)
In cooperation with Boston's Best Cruises FBHI Members will be able to receive a $2 per ticket upon providing your membership card or entering the online code (call the office) on BBC's Cruises. This now includes the cruises to the harbor islands, Sunset & Moonlight Cruses, Whale Watches, and Harbor Tours.
To learn more, visit BBC's Web Page: http://bostonsbestcruises.com/specialty-cruises-2
To learn more, visit BBC's Web Page: http://bostonsbestcruises.com/specialty-cruises-2
Providing volunteer services for the islands for over 30 years
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* Mass Memories VIDEOS *
BOATING INFORMATION * VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
BOAT TRIPS * EVENTS/CALENDAR
LIGHTHOUSE TRIPS * TIDINGS-NEWSLETTER
Follow us on Facebook
* Mass Memories VIDEOS *
BOATING INFORMATION * VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
BOAT TRIPS * EVENTS/CALENDAR
LIGHTHOUSE TRIPS * TIDINGS-NEWSLETTER
VOLUNTEER!
Volunteer Job Descriptions have now been posted on our Volunteer Page. Interested? Check out the page, read the description and then complete the online form. And if you're a State Employee, you may be eligible to make use of SERV Time.
INSTANT Membership Online
YOU Can help the Friends of the Boston Islands every day with an easily budgetable donation. Donations will be withdrawn from your credit card for a 12 month period. Consider this wonderful and easy option! The Friends are truly a 'grass roots' organization, a donation from you goes a-long-way. Donors that donate using the 'subscription' method become members with all of our membership benefits. For the cost of just a pot or two of coffee, you can make a difference! Thank you.
Benefit for Members - 20% off a boat haul at Admiral's Hill Marina &
NEW Fuel Discount!
While supporting the FBHI with a generous donation for our Boat Show Raffle, Admirals Hill Marina has also offered a 20% discount off of a boat haul (haul only). Members receive this valuable benefit to boat owners who have repairs to make, bottoms to paint, or for winter storage. Please visit their web page and thank Admiral's Hill Marina! Admiral's Hill Marina has a fuel dock, repair crew, 50 ton travel lift and large yard for repairs and boat overhauls. A helpful staff and ample parking, as well as a fuel dock fill out the many needs of boaters.
NEW For 2013, Admirals Hill Marina is granting card-carrying FBHI members a 15 cent per gallon discount off the pump price at Mystic Fuel, no additional discounts apply. So, if Mystic Fuel is charging $4.00 a gallon for diesel, Admirals Hill Marina will discount that 15 cents per gallon, to $ 3.85 per gallon. If you need a lot of fuel, or are a frequent cruiser, you know how this savings can add up!
CLICK on JOIN to Join the Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands!
Old Cell Phone?
Support the Friends by donating your old cell phone via Cellphones For My Cause. Cell phones contain heavy metals as well as precious metals and should not be land-filled or just thrown away. Help the environment, while helping the friends. Click on Cellphones For My Cause to learn how!