Island Facts: Bumpkin Island
Walking trails and the remains of an old stone farmhouse make up the landscape of this picturesque
island.
Slate and shell beaches and open fields provide a relaxed atmosphere. Trails lined with wild flowers lead
visitors to the remains of a stone farmhouse and a children's hospital.
Short History
The island was used by Native Americans. During the colonial period,the island was leased to tenant
farmers. The island hosted a fish-drying operation in the early nineteenth century and a fish smelting
operation in the early twentieth century. In 1900, Albert Burrage, a Boston philanthropist, founded a
hospital for children with physical disabilities. During WWI, the island was taken over for use as a US
Naval Training camp, which was dismantled after the war. The hospital reopened briefly in about 1940 for
polio patients but closed during WWII, and burned in 1945.
General Information
This island of Boston Harbor Islands national park area is managed by the Massachusetts Department of
Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
Agency Designation: Harbor Islands Reservation
Current Use: Park purposes
Harbor Location: Hingham Bay
Acreage: 62 (upland acres: 30.15; intertidal acres: 31.39)
Highest elevation: 70 feet
Longitude: 42° 16' 52.00" North
Latitude: 70° 53' 15.4" West
Miles from Long Wharf: 10.2
Visitor Facilities & Services
Hours:
9:00 am to Sunset
Piers/Docks:
Yes
Visitor season:
Summer
Boat slips:
0
Visitor staff:
Yes
Moorings:
0
Guided tours:
Yes
Park boats:
Park shuttle boat
Lifeguards:
No
Car access:
No
Flush toilets:
No
Campsites:
10 (capacity ea: 4)
Composting toilets:
Yes
Group campsites:
1 (capacity ea: 25)
Picnic areas:
Yes
Camping capacity:
65
Refreshments:
No
Cooking grills:
Yes
Drinking water:
No
Walking trails:
Yes
Visitor Cautions: The island has abundant poison ivy, which is currently controlled along
walkways.
Natural History Overview
Vegetation
Several large trees, approximately 100 years old, possibly date to the early hospital period, including
white birch (Betula papyrifera), pear (Pyrus sp.) and apple (Malus sp.) trees. A single yew (Taxus sp.)
may have been part of an early 1900s ornamental planting. Most of the island is covered with early
successional tree, shrub and vine species representative of a landscape reverted from managed lawns
and gardens in the early 1900s.
Wildlife
Survey in progress.
Geology
The island is composed of a central drumlin, elevation 70 feet, surrounded by a rock-strewn shoreline. A
sand spit, exposed at low tide, connects the eastern end of the island to Sunset Point in Hull.
Views and Vistas
Three vantage points are managed to enhance views. Two group picnic areas on the southwest side of
the island offers excellent views of the Hingham Islands, Sarah, Ragged, Langlee and Worlds End, Slate,
Grape and Sheep Islands. An outlook shelter on the northwest side of the island offers views of Boston,
Peddocks, and Hull, with a partial view of Great Brewster Island.
Structures
Buildings
Pier gazebo
Pumphouse
Stone house walls
Mess hall foundation
Hospital and additional foundations
Outlook shelter
Clivus Mulstrum toilet
Fortifications
None
Other Structures
Pier
Park benches
Picnic tables
Signs
Alternate Names
Island names have changed, depending on ownership and the customs of the times. What's in a Name?
lists alternate names for park islands (and a few harbor islands not within the park). Following are known
names for Bumpkin Island:
Round Island
Pumpkin Island
Bomkin Island
Bumkin Island
Ward's Island