JFK’s parents never expected that their second son would grow up to be
president. Yet in his birthplace home he learned values that inspired a life
in public service. His mother, Rose Kennedy, recreated her family’s first home
to share her memories of those early years with visitors. We commemorate not
only his early life, but the ideas and principles he left behind.

JFK’s parents never expected that their second son would grow up to be president.  Yet in his birthplace home he learned values that inspired a life in public service. His mother, Rose Kennedy, recreated her family’s first home to share her memories of those early years with visitors. We commemorate not only his early life, but the ideas and principles he left behind.

Bird's eye view of the park

John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site

Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903) is recognized as the founder of American
landscape architecture and the nation's foremost parkmaker. Olmsted moved his
home to suburban Boston in 1883 and established the world's first full-scale
professional office for the practice of landscape design. During the next
century, his sons and successors perpetuated Olmsted's design ideals,
philosophy, and influence.

Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903) is recognized as the founder of American landscape architecture and the nation's foremost parkmaker. Olmsted moved his home to suburban Boston in 1883 and established the world's first full-scale professional office for the practice of landscape design. During the next century, his sons and successors perpetuated Olmsted's design ideals, philosophy, and influence.

Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site

Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site preserves a
remarkable Georgian house whose occupants shaped our nation. It was a site of
colonial enslavement and community activism, George Washington’s first long-
term headquarters of the American Revolution, and the place where Henry
Wadsworth Longfellow wrote his canon of 19th-century American literature.

Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site preserves a remarkable Georgian house whose occupants shaped our nation. It was a site of colonial enslavement and community activism, George Washington’s first long-term headquarters of the American Revolution, and the place where Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote his canon of 19th-century American literature.

Longfellow House Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site

Centered on the north slope of Beacon Hill, the African American community of
1800s Boston led the city and the nation in the fight against slavery and
injustice. These remarkable men and women, together with their allies, were
leaders in the Abolition Movement, the Underground Railroad, the Civil War,
and the early struggle for equal rights and education.

Centered on the north slope of Beacon Hill, the African American community of 1800s Boston led the city and the nation in the fight against slavery and injustice. These remarkable men and women, together with their allies, were leaders in the Abolition Movement, the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, and the early struggle for equal rights and education.

Boston African American National Historic Site

Once called, "Quinobequin" by native Indians, Captain John Smith renamed the
area for Charles I of England. The winding river rambles for 80 miles from its
headwaters, covers an area of over 300 square miles and is the most densely
populated river basin in New England. The area provides for wetlands and
wildlife and recreation activities. For up-to-date information, call (508)
278-2511.

Once called, "Quinobequin" by native Indians, Captain John Smith renamed the area for Charles I of England.  The winding river rambles for 80 miles from its headwaters, covers an area of over 300 square miles and is the most densely populated river basin in New England.  The area provides for wetlands and wildlife and recreation activities.  For up-to-date information, call (508) 278-2511.

Charles River

Discover how one city could be the Cradle of Liberty, site of the first major
battle of American Revolution, and home to many who espoused that freedom can
be extended to all.

Discover how one city could be the Cradle of Liberty, site of the first major battle of American Revolution, and home to many who espoused that freedom can be extended to all.

Boston National Historical Park

From the sweet little farm at the foot of Penn’s Hill to the gentleman’s
country estate at Peace field, Adams National Historical Park is the story of
“heroes, statesmen, philosophers…and learned women” whose ideas and actions
helped to transform thirteen disparate colonies into one united nation.

From the sweet little farm at the foot of Penn’s Hill to the gentleman’s country estate at Peace field, Adams National Historical Park is the story of “heroes, statesmen, philosophers…and learned women” whose ideas and actions helped to transform thirteen disparate colonies into one united nation.

Adams National Historical Park

. . . where you can walk a Civil War-era fort, view historic lighthouses,
explore tide pools, hike lush trails, camp under the stars, or relax while
fishing, picnicking, or swimming—all within reach of downtown Boston. Youth
programs, visitor services, research, wildlife management, and more are
coordinated on the park's 34 islands and peninsulas by the Boston Harbor
Islands Partnership.

. . . where you can walk a Civil War-era fort, view historic lighthouses, explore tide pools, hike lush trails, camp under the stars, or relax while fishing, picnicking, or swimming—all within reach of downtown Boston. Youth programs, visitor services, research, wildlife management, and more are coordinated on the park's 34 islands and peninsulas by the Boston Harbor Islands Partnership.

Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

In the 1600's, on the banks of the Saugus River, something extraordinary
happened! Explore the place where European iron makers brought their special
skills to a young Massachusetts colony. Saugus Iron Works is a twelve-acre
National Historic Site that includes working waterwheels, forges, mills, a
historic 17th century home, and a lush river basin.

In the 1600's, on the banks of the Saugus River, something extraordinary happened! Explore the place where European iron makers brought their special skills to a young Massachusetts colony. Saugus Iron Works is a twelve-acre National Historic Site that includes working waterwheels, forges, mills, a historic 17th century home, and a lush river basin.

Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site

At Minute Man National Historical Park the opening battle of the Revolution is
brought to life as visitors explore the battlefields and structures associated
with April 19, 1775, and witness the American revolutionary spirit through the
writings of the Concord authors.

At Minute Man National Historical Park the opening battle of the Revolution is brought to life as visitors explore the battlefields and structures associated with April 19, 1775, and witness the American revolutionary spirit through the writings of the Concord authors.

Minute Man National Historical Park

Massasoit National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in 1983 to conserve
the Federally endangered Plymouth redbelly turtle, as well as other wildlife
and plant species. The Refuge encompasses 195 acres in Plymouth,
Massachusetts. It is made up of two parcels; the Crooked Pond parcel abuts the
Myles Standish State Forest, the second largest State forest in Massachusetts,
and the smaller parcel is located on the shoreline of Island Pond. Massasoit
NWR is located within a 3,269-acre area designated as critical habitat for the
Plymouth redbelly turtle.

Massasoit National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in 1983 to conserve the Federally endangered Plymouth redbelly turtle, as well as other wildlife and plant species.  The Refuge encompasses 195 acres in Plymouth, Massachusetts. It is made up of two parcels; the Crooked Pond parcel abuts the Myles Standish State Forest, the second largest State forest in Massachusetts, and the smaller parcel is located on the shoreline of Island Pond.  Massasoit NWR is located within a 3,269-acre area designated as critical habitat for the Plymouth redbelly turtle.

Massasoit National Wildlife Refuge

Established on March 17, 1938 as the first National Historic Site in the
United States, Salem Maritime National Historic Site consists of nine acres of
land and twelve historic structures along the Salem waterfront, as well as a
downtown visitor center. Located in the urban setting of Salem, the park
preserves and interprets over 600 years of New England's maritime history and
global connections.

Established on March 17, 1938 as the first National Historic Site in the United States, Salem Maritime National Historic Site consists of nine acres of land and twelve historic structures along the Salem waterfront, as well as a downtown visitor center. Located in the urban setting of Salem, the park preserves and interprets over 600 years of New England's maritime history and global connections.

Salem Maritime National Historic Site

Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge, located in the towns of Sudbury, Stow,
Maynard and Hudson, and just 20 miles west of Boston. Assabet River is one of
eight national wildlife refuges that comprise the Eastern Massachusetts
National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Over time these lands were traditionally
hunted and fished by Nipmuc Tribes, farmed by colonists, crossed by railroad
and used for military training. This area was known as the Sudbury Training
Annex, part of Fort Devens and the U.S. Army until 2000 when the U.S. Army
transferred over 2,000 acres to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, therefore
establishing the refuge.

Important habitat types on the refuge, such as freshwater wetlands, oak-pine
forest, and shrubland are crucial in our management of migratory bird
conservation. Wildlife that call Assabet River home include, but not limited
to, waterfowl and wading birds, songbirds, raptors, American beaver, bobcat,
white-tailed deer, and various reptiles and amphibians.

Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge, located in the towns of Sudbury, Stow, Maynard and Hudson, and just 20 miles west of Boston. Assabet River is one of eight national wildlife refuges that comprise the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Over time these lands were traditionally hunted and fished by Nipmuc Tribes, farmed by colonists, crossed by railroad and used for military training. This area was known as the Sudbury Training Annex, part of Fort Devens and the U.S. Army until 2000 when the U.S. Army transferred over 2,000 acres to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, therefore establishing the refuge.    Important habitat types on the refuge, such as freshwater wetlands, oak-pine forest, and shrubland are crucial in our management of migratory bird conservation. Wildlife that call Assabet River home include, but not limited to, waterfowl and wading birds, songbirds, raptors, American beaver, bobcat, white-tailed deer, and various reptiles and amphibians.