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Blue Hill 1
Tue Dec 14, 2004
Listen in RealAudio 
Hi, I’m Bryan Yeaton, and this is The Weather Notebook. In the world of weather
observatories, Blue Hill, just outside of Boston, ranks as the oldest in America.
Executive Director Charles Orloff tells us how it all happened.
CO: It was actually started by Abbot Laurence Rotch. His relatives had made a lot of
money in the whaling industry. So that set him up pretty well, so when he had this great
idea of studying the atmosphere, and possibly building a weather observatory, his
family had the funds to help him.
After studying in Europe, Rotch went to MIT, where he graduated first in his class.
CO: At that point, that’s when he sat down with his mother and explained that even
though he had studied a lot about being an engineer, that really wasn’t the career he
wanted. He really wanted to do some scientific research on the atmosphere. And she
was kind enough to say, "Well, let’s find a piece of land for you."
According to Orloff, the building was constructed in 1885 for $3,500. It is worth a bit
more today.
CO: Five years ago when we became a non-profit, we had to raise money to renovate
the building. We ended up spending a million-two to renovate the building.
Later, says Orloff:
CO: Harvard University ran the building for almost 50 years. And then the National
Weather Service took it over for another 20 years.
When the Weather Service wanted to get out, Orloff says that a group was formed that
has worked ever since to keep this historic weather station running.
I was a school principal, and left my position when I knew we were at that crucial point
where we either had to fish or cut bait.
More from Blue Hill tomorrow. The Weather Notebook is funded by Subaru of America.
All of our past shows are online at www.weathernotebook.org.
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