The Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands is a grassroots membership organization whose mission is to inspire stewardship and respect for the islands through educational and interpretive programs. The organization encourages public use of the islands, balanced with the need to protect their fragile ecosystem and historic environment. Our group of spirited volunteers has worked on behalf of islands for 45 years!
The Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands is an independent organization founded in 1979 that is now affiliated with Boston Harbor Now. |
JOIN US ON SATURDAY JULY 20TH FOR
A VOYAGE BACK IN TIME TO GREAT BREWSTER ISLAND
A special tour by the Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands highlights a remarkable tale of 4 women who sojourn on Great Brewster in 1891. The tour will have views of Long Island Head Light, Deer Island (aid-to-navigation), historic day-marker, Nixes Mate, Boston Light and Graves Light.
For more information and to register CLICK HERE. |
FBHI IN PRINTThe most recent edition of Ranger, the magazine of the Association of National Park Rangers, includes a two page article by Suzanne Gall Marsh which focuses on Great Brewster Island. Clicking on the cover image of Ranger for the PDF of the magazine. You'll find "Chasing history" on pages 14-15.
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A Boston Harbor Islands Adventure: The Great Brewster Journal of 1891
The FBHI has published a book that all those who love the Harbor Islands would enjoy. On June 5, 2023, the History Press released A Boston Harbor Islands Adventure: The Great Brewster Journal of 1891. This book is the result of intense work by FBHI volunteers, led by Stephanie Schorow, author of East of Boston: Notes from the Harbor Islands.
From the back cover: In 1891, four intrepid women from Lowell, Massachusetts, sailed to a remote island in Boston Harbor for a 17-day escape from New England and prim and proper society. Calling themselves the Scribe, the Aristocrat, the Acrobat and the Autocrat, the women stayed in a cottage on Great Brewster Island, reveling in the chance to shed their identities of wife, mother and daughter. Relive their sojourn through their remarkable journal – which is in the collection of Harvard University – filled with observations, illustrations, photography and poetry. Order from History Press here OR GO TO YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE. To book an illustrated lecture on this amazing book, email sschorow@comcast.net |
JOIN - RENEW - DONATE TO THE FRIENDS OF THE BOSTON HARBOR ISLANDS
Use your member benefits to save on your visit to the harbor and harbor islands!
Your 2024 discount codes are on the back of your 2024 membership card.
These discount codes are needed for all online ticket sales. If you are purchasing tickets at the counter or ticket office you must show your 2024 membership card. Renew your Friends membership today to receive the new 2024 discount codes for the various tours. Tickets available both online or at the ticket booth when you show your 2024 FBHI membership card.
These discount codes are needed for all online ticket sales. If you are purchasing tickets at the counter or ticket office you must show your 2024 membership card. Renew your Friends membership today to receive the new 2024 discount codes for the various tours. Tickets available both online or at the ticket booth when you show your 2024 FBHI membership card.
Boston Harbor City Experiences offers a 20% discount on a variety of trips including Harbor Islands, Whale Watch, Salem, Provincetown, Harbor Tours and more.
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Mass Bay Lines (Rowes Wharf) offers a 15% discount on all their tours CLICK HERE to see the daily tours, weekly cruises and holiday events. |
Classic Harbor Lines offers a 15 % discount on all cruises aboard the Schooner Adirondack and Northern Lights yacht.
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Park Lighthouse Tours 10% discount on the Park Lighthouse Tours. Please note: The tours do NOT include getting onto any of the islands nor entering/climbing the lighthouses. For information about the Boston Harbor Lighthouse Tours CLICK HERE including departure point, dates and ticketing.
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volunteer with national parks of bostonThere is a diverse selection of volunteer opportunities to choose from this year. All volunteers must now register through www.volunteers.gov. You will find postings/job descriptions for the Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center and Stewardship Saturdays along with the Charlestown Navy Yard, Faneuil Hall and the Freedom Trail/Black Heritage Trail.
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The WELCOME CENTER PAVILION on the Rose Kennedy Greenway is the official gateway to the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park. Rangers and volunteers provide information about the park, ferries to the islands and park programs and activities on the Greenway and the Boston Waterfront. Volunteers are especially needed for half day (4-hour shifts Fridays-Sundays). Learn about volunteering and to register click here. Contact Jose_Salas@nps.gov for more questions.
Visit the harbor virtually!
We'll be posting historical and informative information occasionally on our Facebook Page about the harbor & your islands. View our "Zoom Ahoy" series of virtual presentations:
- Girls Night Out on Great Brewster
- The Real Shutter Island, Hospitals and Asylums
- Island Voices
- Videos and Photos from Mass Memories Roadshow
- Digitized home movies from the Paul Nyren collection (nostalgic mid-80's movies!)
- Join us on Facebook! (keep in-mind joining us on Facebook is not "joining the Friends"), memberships are still available. Join us "officially" here.
friends of the Boston hARBOR islands has been affiliated with boston harbor now for a year
You can see the May 2023 announcement of the change by clicking on the image below.
our history – digitized!
We've been able to have some of our history preserved - our Tidings Newsletters from 1985-1987 have been digitized, and we've just uploaded our eTidings from 2014-2019 as well! Click here to see them!
1969 video of boston hARBOr (restored)
you can vISIT THE islands online year-round with many photos of cathleen stone, calf, graves light station, rainsford and outer brewster islands
Can't make it out - or interested in seeing what you might see on one of our trips? Visit the islands online via photos by some of our Friends - Click on the island names below to start your journey!
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