Saturday: Bellevue Hill Water Tower inside tour - DCR Stony Brook
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Saturday, May 9 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Doors Open at Bellevue Hill Tower in Stony Brook Reservation
Meet at the Bellevue Hill tower located on Bellevue Hill Road in West Roxbury. Parking is available at the top of the hill.
Visit http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-boston/stony-brook-reservation.html
The Bellevue Hill Tower was built by the Metropolitan Water Board in 1914-15, one of three vertical “reservoirs” designed to increase capacity for drinking water in the Boston area. Located atop the highest point in Boston, the 114' w x 47' h granite Tower replaced a smaller 1888 tower, both of which were designed to offer scenic views. Bellevue Hill Road and the Tower are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. All ages welcome, but the climb to the top is steep and may not be suitable for small children. Rain cancels. Co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority.
Maggi Brown
Regional Interpretive Coordinator
DCR Boston Region
12 Brainard Street, Hyde Park
cell: 617-839-4996
fax: 617-727-8556
Work Schedule: Tuesday-Saturday
Spring 2015 Hikes and Happenings
DCR Boston Region Sites
- Stony Brook Reservation
- Brook Farm Historic Site
- Hancock Woods Reservation
Saturday, May 9 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Doors Open at Bellevue Hill Tower in Stony Brook Reservation
Meet at the Bellevue Hill tower located on Bellevue Hill Road in West Roxbury. Parking is available at the top of the hill.
Visit http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-boston/stony-brook-reservation.html
The Bellevue Hill Tower was built by the Metropolitan Water Board in 1914-15, one of three vertical “reservoirs” designed to increase capacity for drinking water in the Boston area. Located atop the highest point in Boston, the 114' w x 47' h granite Tower replaced a smaller 1888 tower, both of which were designed to offer scenic views. Bellevue Hill Road and the Tower are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. All ages welcome, but the climb to the top is steep and may not be suitable for small children. Rain cancels. Co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority.
Saturday, May 16 10:00 am -12:00 pm On-going reception at two sites
In the Footsteps of the First People
On-going “Open Park” reception at two sites listed below, located at either end of Wollaston Beach
and Quincy Shore Drive. Maps available on site. Two miles between sites.
Join us for an informal Massachusetts Preservation Month Reception at 2 First People History sites in Quincy:
· DCR Caddy Memorial Park on the southern end of Quincy Shore Drive
· DCR Moswetuset Hummock opposite 440 East Squantum Street in Quincy (opposite the Kennedy Center)
May is Massachusetts Preservation Month! DCR Park staff will be on site for drop-in visits at two rich native history sites in Quincy from 10 am – noon. Join Ellen Berkland, DCR Archaeologist, at DCR Caddy Park and learn about a collection of rare Native artifacts unearthed at Caddy Park in 1999. Meet Maggi Brown, DCR Park Interpreter at Moswetuset Hummock, the tribal seat of sachem Chickatawbut and explore the lifestyles of the first people. Visit either or both. For more site info visit http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-boston/quincy-shores-reservation.html
Wednesday, May 20 5:30-7:00 pm
Mr. Ripley’s Utopia: The Brook Farm Experiment
Meet at DCR Brook Farm Historic Site. The farm is located 1/3 mile west of the VFW Parkway at 670 Baker Street in West Roxbury. Please call 617-646-0578 or register on-line at www.masshist.org/events
Brook Farm, the short-lived utopian community established by George and Sophia Ripley in 1841 became the country’s most celebrated experiment in Transcendentalism as a social movement. Peter Drummey, of the Massachusetts Historical Society will lead a discussion of what Brook Farmers attempted, what they accomplished, and why they failed. The program includes a DCR walking tour of Brook Farm.
Memorial Day Weekend, May 23, 24 and 25 12:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Fort Independence Tours at Castle Island, South Boston
Castle Island and Fort Independence are located at the end of Day Boulevard in South Boston.
For more info, visit http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/castle.htm
Castle Island is the oldest continuously fortified site in British North America! The first fort on Castle Island was built in 1634 for the coastal defense of Boston. Fort Independence, a pentagonal five-bastioned fort built between 1834 and 1851, is Castle Island's 8th fort and was built with granite from the quarries in Rockport, MA. Free one hour tours of Fort Independence are sponsored by the Castle Island Association in partnership with the DCR .
Sunday, May 31 12:00 pm- 3:00 pm
Doors Open at Norumbega Tower along the Upper Charles River Reservation
Meet at the tower. Park along Norumbega Road near River Road in Weston. For more information contact DCR’s Office of Cultural Resources at 617-626-1389.
Ever wonder why there is a statue of Leif Ericson on the Commonwealth Mall in Boston? Come climb the Norumbega Tower and learn how in the late 19th century the Boston Brahmins,
a paternalistic violinist from Norway, and the baking powder magnate from Harvard University crusaded to discredit Christopher Columbus and his “founding”
of North America in favor of a Norse perspective. All ages, rain or shine (lightning cancels). Dogs on leash.
Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start of summer! Get the jump on the heat and head to a DCR spray deck near you! For more info, visit www.mass.gov/dcr
Things to know before you go
- All programs are FREE, except
Maple Sugar Festival
- Wear sturdy footgear
- Carry drinking water on all hikes
- Dress in layers for maximum comfort
- Programs may be cancelled if the weather creates unsafe conditions
- If weather conditions are questionable, please call the reservation headquarters on the day of the program at 617-333-7404, extension 104.
- Reasonable accommodations available. For questions regarding accessibility, please email Maggi...@state.ma.us
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