After investment of $4 billion and extensive wastewater treatment efforts by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, improved water quality contributed to widespread support for establishing a national park area. In 1985 Boston Harbor was named the most polluted harbor in the nation. In 1970 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts began acquiring islands for the benefit of the public. Later Deer Island also served as a quarantine hospital in 1847 to treat the many sick, impoverished Irish immigrants fleeing the potato famine. Indications are that 1000 or more American Indians were forced onto Deer and other islands, often to die of starvation. Contemporary Native Americans return each October to commemorate their ancestors' suffering in this tragic slaughter. The islands have undergone many various uses over the years: agriculture, cemetery, fishing colony, fortifications, hospital, hotel or resort, industrial, poorhouse, prison, prisoner-of-war camp, quarantine, sewage treatment, lighthouses, and dumps.ĭeer Island has particular significance to Native Americans as a place of imprisonment and interment during King Philip's War in the 1670s. The highly alkaline shell-fragmented soils which preserve artifacts better than typical New England soils, and the relatively low-intensity use by Euro-Americans, make the islands an archeological treasure. Evidence indicates that Native American peoples lived on the islands as early as 1000 BC and perhaps before they separated from the mainland sometime in the 2000 years previous to that. Archeological sites on 21 of the islands have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places and all the islands are considered likely to have significant sites. The islands have great historical significance in a number of ways. Day-use permits are required for groups of 25 or more.Georges and Peddocks islands have paved walkways suitable for strollers.Bicycle riding and rollerblading are not permitted.Special arrangements for school groups are possible for weekdays in spring, summer, and fall seasons. During spring and fall the islands are open on an abbreviated schedule. During the summer season, the islands are open daily from 9AM until sunset. Massachusetts claims 17 of the islands within Boston Harbor Island State Park. The Boston Harbor Islands national park area is managed by a unique 13-member partnership called the Boston Harbor Islands Partnership, 61, which includes the National Park Service and other public and private organizations. The Boston Harbor Islands are a group of thirty-four islands in Massachusetts that are a unit of the United States National Park System.
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