Georges Island Visitor Center, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

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Georges Island Main Page

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GENERAL INFORMATION

The Georges Island Visitor Center in Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area is housed in a building from 1906 that was once used to store water mines that protected Boston Harbor from enemy ships and submarines.

OPERATING HOURS

The Georges Island Visitor Center is open from 10 AM to 5 PM whenever ferry service to the island is operating, which is generally from June through Labor Day.

AMENITIES

• Ranger-staffed information desk where you can ask questions and pick up a park brochure
• Fort Warren Museum

FORT WARREN MUSEUM

Fort Warren Museum inside the Georges Island Visitor Center, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

The museum housed in the Georges Island Visitor Center focuses strictly on the history of Fort Warren, the main attraction on the island. Topics include the history of the fort, a day in the life of a Fort Warren soldier during both the Civil War and World War II, the modernization of the fort between 1892 and 1902, and the various weapons that were once installed at the fort.

I found the Day in the Life exhibits to be the most interesting because of the excerpts from soldiers’ diaries who were stationed at the fort. The exhibit is laid out identically for both the Civil War and World War II soldiers, thus highlighting the differences between the two eras.

Exhibit at the George Island Visitor Center’s Fort Warren Museum on the Day in the Life of a World War II soldier at Fort Warren, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

Exhibit at the George Island Visitor Center’s Fort Warren Museum on meal time at Fort Warren during the Civil War, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

Military buffs will enjoy the weapons exhibit that includes a collection of cannon balls, water mines, rifled artillery shells, and even a Nike Ajax Missile.

Display of rifled artillery shells inside Georges Island Visitor Center’s Fort Warren Museum, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

In addition to information panels, the museum contains many artifacts from the Civil War up through World War II.

Civil War hats on display at the Georges Island Visitor Center’s Fort Warren Museum, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

SCHEDULING YOUR TIME

I read through all of the information and watched the film on Fort Warren in 45 minutes. Of course most people have no interest is reading everything, but at least spend some time browsing the exhibits to familiarize yourself with the fort before heading out to explore. Factoring in time to see the film and talk with a park Ranger, give yourself at least a half hour for a stop at the Georges Island Visitor Center.

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