On the evening of June 29, an individual or group threw rocks at our historic building, damaging four windows. The most significant impact occurred in our History Room, the space that houses 141 years of irreplaceable weather and climate records. Our weather observer discovered the full extent of the damage early the next morning.

None of our weather records or scientific instrumentation were damaged. The 141-year record — the longest continuous weather record in the Western Hemisphere — remains fully intact.

We immediately contacted the Massachusetts State Police, who are actively investigating the incident, and notified our partners at the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Because the Observatory is a National Historic Landmark built in 1885, sourcing appropriate replacement materials and completing repairs will take additional care and time. We expect to reopen on Friday, July 3.

Photos: Blue Hill Observatory staff, taken June 30

This incident revealed an urgent need to better protect both our priceless scientific records and the Observatory itself. As one of only 11 Centennial Observing Stations in the United States, this building is a nationally significant scientific and educational resource that deserves stronger protection going forward.

We’ve launched a fund to repair the damaged windows, install modern security cameras, and strengthen protection for our historic collections, visitors, and this landmark. Every gift, no matter the size, helps protect an irreplaceable piece of our nation’s scientific heritage.