Community Corner

Blue Hill Observatory Offers History With a View

The Blue Hill Observatory has not missed a day of weather record keeping since 1885.

The hottest days Milton has ever seen were in 1949 and 1975 at 101 degrees. The coldest was 21 degrees below zero and the peak wind gust was 186 mph, during the 1938 hurricane. More recently, Milton's warmest spring, from January until June, was 2010 at an average of 46.3 degrees.

These monumental weather occurrences along with every day in between for the last 125 years have been recorded at the Blue Hill Observatory, the country's oldest, continuously operated weather observatory. Though the observatory has changed hands, done different experiments and held different roles in the community, the record keeping has remained consistent.

"We're measuring temperature in the same place, in the same way, they did over 100 years ago," said Charles Orloff, executive director.

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The equipment at the observatory is a classic case of old meets new. Many of the original tools now sit next to pricey and sophisticated apparatuses. Orloff explained the old material is often used to make sure the new equipment works. Some of the original devices are also used to further the consistency of the record.

The observatory was built in 1885 by Abbott Lawrence Rotch. Rotch was the son of an affluent Boston family, and after graduation from MIT, used his trust fund to erect the observatory. Rotch worked with other weather enthusiasts to study the atmosphere and observe the weather.

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The Blue Hill Observatory also has an unofficial tie to modern air travel. When the Wright brothers were designing their now legendary first airplane, they reached out to Rotch and Chief Observer Henry Helm Clayton after hearing the scientists were steadily flying kites at 1,500 feet with weather instruments hanging from them.

Rotch and Clayton became friends with the aviation pioneers and as they say, the rest is history. Proof of the connection hangs in the observatory's education room in the form of a kite resembling the first airplane.

The 1938 hurricane that struck the Massachusetts coast was another historical high point for the observatory. The second highest wind gust on the continent, 186 mph was recorded during the storm. Winds of over 125 mph battered the building for five minutes straight. The hurricane blew out all of the observatory's back windows while, an observer was inside the facility taking readings.

After serving as a National Weather Service Observing Station for decades, the NWS planned to shutdown the observatory in the 1970s. Several supporters intervened to keep the doors open and the record keeping uninterrupted.

By 1989 the building was declared a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service. The observatory now operates as a non-profit organization with a range of grants and donations that keep the facility operating.

"We need the constant support of the public, corporations and  foundations," said program director Don McCasland.

As part of the National Register of Historic places, Blue Hill Observatory is required to be open to the public. As a historically significant location and a working weather station, the observatory is a favored destination for scouts, students and weather enthusiasts. Over 10,000 students of all ages tour the facility annually, according to Orloff.

McCasland meets with many of those students, leading various lessons. Many of the school groups make kites like the founders of Blue Hill. McCasland said each year students make about 4,000 kites.

Aside from student groups, visitors are welcome for weekend tours, as well as spring and fall open houses. The fall event will be Saturday, October 2 this year. Most Monday holidays the observatory is open for kite-making workshops and tours.

An up-close view of the observatory is the perfect way for people to truly understand the significance of the operation. "Seeing it and learning about it can increase your appreciation," McCasland said.

To schedule a visit to the Blue Hill Observatory contact Don McCasland at 617-696-0562 or dmccasland@bluehill.org.  There is no parking at the observatory without specific arrangements, otherwise visitors can park at the Trailside Museum and hike the mile long trail to the top.


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