Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area is one of the more unusual units of the National Park System. Established in 1996, it preserves a collection of more than 30 islands scattered throughout Boston Harbor, each with its own unique history. Together they tell the story of Boston’s maritime heritage, military defenses, immigration, public recreation, and the changing relationship between the city and its harbor.
Among the most significant sites are Civil War-era Fort Warren on Georges Island and Boston Light on Little Brewster Island. Boston Light, first established in 1716, is the oldest lighthouse in the United States. Although the original lighthouse was destroyed by the British during the American Revolution, it was rebuilt in 1783 and continues to guide mariners into Boston Harbor today.
Years ago, I had the opportunity to take one of the National Park Service boat tours to Boston Light. It remains one of my favorite memories of visiting the harbor. Standing at the base of the nation’s oldest lighthouse gave me a new appreciation for the generations of keepers who maintained its beacon and the countless ships that depended on its light to safely enter one of America’s busiest ports.
Looking across the harbor toward the Boston skyline, it is easy to forget that these peaceful islands once served as military fortifications, quarantine stations, fishing communities, and strategic defenses protecting the city. Each island preserves a different chapter in Boston’s history.
One of the reasons I enjoy visiting units of the National Park System is that they often reveal stories hidden just beyond the places we think we know well. Millions of people visit Boston each year, yet relatively few take the time to explore the harbor islands. They offer a different perspective on the city and remind us that some of America’s richest history is found just offshore, waiting to be discovered.
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