A Day Out in Milton

  Milton, Massachusetts is an affluent suburb directly south of the city of Boston. With the reopening of certain of The Trustees’ properties, we headed to Milton to visit Governor Hutchinson Field. While we were there, we actually spent the most time across the street on the grounds of the Forbes House Museum. Add to this trip a visit to the nearby Trailside Museum, and you’ve got yourself a fun day out in Milton. 

Trailside Museum

We couldn’t visit the Trailside Museum, which is owned by Mass Audubon, this trip (since it is currently closed). When the world gets back to normal, it is a fun place to take the kids. It has a small but entertaining and educational museum and a variety of rescued animals that surround the property outside. The highlight of the animal display for many is the river otter who always seems to be performing tricks for the public. 

This museum has enough live and stuffed animals as well as interactive displays to keep children happy. The outside is fun to roam around, and it is located at the foot of the Blue Hills in case hiking is on your itinerary.

Governor Hutchinson’s Field 

I was excited to hear that some of the less frequently visited properties owned by The Trustees had reopened. I had never heard of Governor Hutchinson’s Field but decided to pay it a visit. Hutchinson was a royal governor of Massachusetts in the early to mid-1700s. This was part of his many-acred estate. 

The property is a large field. It has picturesque views of the Neponset River below and includes peeks of the Boston skyline. It supposedly has paths down toward the river and to the adjacent Pierce Reservation. Due to the tallish grass, the fact that trees were being mulched, and the steady incline of the field (we had a stroller with us), we ceased a deep exploration of all nooks and crannies of the property. Instead, we ended up across the street at a really interesting historic home.

Forbes House Museum

This home, with distinct architectural features, was built by Captain Robert Bennett Forbes and his siblings for their mother. Captain Forbes acquired his wealth in high seas trade with China, with opium being a primary good. Although the museum was not open during my visit, the grounds are elaborate and perfect for wandering around. 

Parking in the back, the kids explored the whole property. During my visit, there were two storybook walks which we partially completed. My younger son was enthralled by the Chinese lions on-site, which he repeatedly roared at. There is also an old Chinese bell between the two. I presume these have to do with Captain Forbes’s China trade. 

The rest of the property included a shady grove of trees and a replica of Lincoln’s boyhood cabin. Mary Bowditch Forbes, the last of the family to reside here, was an avid Lincoln fan and had this re-creation constructed. Lincoln actually stayed at the home in 1860 on his campaign trail. Bowditch Forbes collected numerous heirlooms related to Honest Abe. We picnicked on the grass and roamed around the grounds for more than an hour. It is a sprawling parcel of land with much to poke around at.

Fun Facts

  The estate is unique and elegant. It dates from 1833 and is in the Greek Revival style. The architect is Isaiah Rogers, whose other work includes the Ohio State House and the gate at Granary Burying Ground in Boston. The house’s former name was the Museum of American China Trade. Fun fact: the influential Forbes family’s modern descendants include politician John Forbes Kerry, Pink Martini singer China Forbes, and singer/guitarist for the band Grizzly Bear, Ed Droste.

Between the Trailside Museum, Governor Hutchinson’s Field, and the Forbes House Museum, it is easy to have a fun day out in Milton.