A Short History of a Long River

                 With Appreciation to the Massachusetts Broadmoor Audubon Society
 
The Charles River was originally called the Massachusetts River, named after the Indian tribe of the same name.  Captain John Smith mapped New England after he completed his exploration of Jamestown Virginia. He presented his maps to King Charles I, who immediately renamed most of the detailed rivers in his own name.

The River was a main source of water, transportation and communications for the Indians and Puritans.  Today it is a main source of recreation.  Water quality has improved significantly the last thirty years, yet the hard bottom does contain contaminants best left undisturbed.

This year Boston was treated to a very healthy sign of the Rivers come-back.  Several harbor seals have navigated through the Boston locks to feed on the fish in the river.

There is a wonderful way to see the river perhaps as the Indians knew it.  The Massachusetts Broadmoor Audubon Society does a wonderful canoe trip early in the morning including a downstream hardy New England breakfast. 
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The pictures linked here should convince you that the river has been preserved much as the Indians knew it.  The tour guides are experts in their field of science and history.  You can appreciate their conservation successes once you travel with them on the river. 
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Tours run generally on select Saturdays from 8:30 to 1:00, prox.  Contact information is listed below.  Yet, it is best to view all their offerings at their web site.  Interested in nature photography classes? Birthday parties with content? Birding programs? International trips?

Head of the Charles HOCR regatta takes place 10/22 and 10/23/2016.  Be one of 500 hundred thousand to line the Charles, Cambridge and Boston.
 
280 Eliot Street
Natick, MA 01760
508-655-2296
http://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/broadmoor/contact-us
More Info508-655-2296 ext 7303