Massabesic Audubon Center

(Auburn)

Center Activities

About the Center

The 5,000 square foot Massabesic Audubon Center is located on a historic farm site. The Center is just minutes from downtown Manchester and is bordered by 130 acres of rolling fields and mature deciduous forest with woodland wetlands, a pond, streams, and marshes. The site has been preserved as a wildlife sanctuary that encompasses a diverse array of upland habitats. There are more than five miles of trails that lead to scenic Lake Massabesic, and the property is adjacent to thousands of undeveloped acres of Manchester Water Works land.

Why Visit?

A dedicated team of educators and more than 60 volunteers provide year-round nature, recreation, and environmental education programs of every description. These include school, youth group, youth summer and vacation camp, family, community, and adult education opportunities. The Center offers live animal and educational exhibits in classroom, reception area, and auditorium spaces. The Massabesic Wildlife Sanctuary offers wildlife viewing opportunities from its many trails. Visitors can view bluebirds and other grassland birds in the fields. Loons nest on the lake, ospreys visit in the spring and bald eagles visit in the winter.

About Battery Point

The Center is situated on a point of land known as Battery Point on Lake Massabesic in Auburn, N.H. The Town of Auburn was incorporated in 1845 and was originally part of the Town of Chester. Auburn began as a booming mill and farm town supplying commodities to Manchester and beyond. Saw-, grist-, tool-, and fulling-mills (linen) lined the town's many streams and river banks. Hospitality and recreation were also vibrant industries.

The Lake became the main source of water for the city of Manchester with the establishment of the Manchester Water Works in 1870. In its heyday it was a prime summertime destination for city workers. There was trolley service to the lake, half a dozen sightseeing steam boats, and many hotels and music halls nearby. In winter, Manchester Coal and Ice operated on the northern shore of the lake to harvest, store, and sell ice for use in the summers before electricity. Massabesic ice was in high demand because of its purity; it was used locally and shipped via rail to Boston and points beyond.

The Center is located on the historic Brown Farm. Luther Brown and his father Joseph Brown owned the farm through the 1800s until purchase by the Parker Farm circa 1900. The land supported livestock, produce and timber operations. What wasn't used by the farm to sustain its laborers and families was sold in the city.

Directions

1. From I-93 and points west and north and south of Manchester, take Exit 7 to Route 101 East (Seacoast). Watch for the Audubon signs.
2. From points east of Manchester, go west towards Manchester on Route 101. Watch for the Audubon signs.
3. Take Exit 1 and go south onto Route 28 By-pass. Travel 1/8 miles to the traffic circle.
4. Proceed half way through the circle, continuing on the Route 28 By-pass. You'll see Lake Massabesic on your left.
5. Travel 1.9 miles to Spofford Road. Turn left onto Spofford Road for 1/4 mile.
6. Turn left onto Audubon Way (on the corner as Spofford Road veers right).
7. The parking lot is on the left, opposite the Center.