Boston Harbour Defence Reclaimation Project

BHDRP take multiple approaches to seeing the ruins of mid 20th century coastal fortifications. These forts both defended the Boston coast, and projected power abroad. Monuments to modernity returning to the land and sea. Found, hidden in parks; collected, into a book; this extended project uses studio documentation, archival reproduction, and large formatry to visit a disappearing landscape.

See the Book.

Archival Reproductions

a visual history researched at the National Archives at Boston

Map Detail, Boston Harbor. “A map detail depicting Boston Harbor and positioning Fort Banks in Winthrop in relationship to the city of Boston.” c. 1970; Records of the Public Building Service 1932-1978, RG 121, NARA Boston.

Photograph No. PC 433. “Aerial photograph depicting the construction progress on East Group 20 Hi-X Magazines, with Beechwood in the distance. Bunkers located at the Naval Ammunition Depot at Hingham, MA.' March 8, 1942; Records of Naval Districts and Shore Establishments, RG 181, NARA Boston.

Photograph No. PC 416. “Photograph surveying barns and agricultural devices to be removed prior to construction of the Cohasset Naval Ammunition Depot Annex. (Note that barn has been cut in half as crews prepare for it's final removal.)” c. 1930; Records of Naval Districts and Shore Establishments, RG 181, NARA Boston.

Photograph No. PC 411. “Photograph surveying shacks and shanties that were vacated and subsequently removed prior to the construction of the Cohasset Naval Ammunition Depot Annex.” c. 1930; Records of Naval Districts and Shore Establishments, RG 181, NARA Boston.

Photograph No. PC 413. “Photograph surveying shacks and shanties that were vacated and subsequently removed prior to the construction of the Cohasset Naval Ammunition Depot Annex.” c. 1930; Records of Naval Districts and Shore Establishments, RG 181, NARA Boston.

Photograph No. PC 387. “Photograph surveying shacks and shanties that were vacated and subsequently removed prior to the construction of the Cohasset Naval Ammunition Depot Annex.” c. 1930; Records of Naval Districts and Shore Establishments, RG 181, NARA Boston.

Photograph No. PC 072. “Photograph depicting forest cleared to make way for electrical power lines.” c. 1944. Records of Naval Districts and Shore Establishments, RG 181, NARA Boston.

Photograph No. 4 “Photograph depicting workers during the construction of the Boston Army Base.” August 12, 1946; US Army Corps of Engineers. Records of the Office of the Chief of Engineers, 1789-1999, RG 77; NARA Boston.

Photograph No.188. “Photograph of construction worker under the Boston Army Base Docks.” N.D.; US Army Corps of Engineers. Records of the Office of the Chief of Engineers, 1789-1999, RG 77; NARA Boston.

Photograph No. PC 468. “Photograph depicting the construction of Naval personnel housing at the Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot.” c. 1944; Records of Naval Districts and Shore Establishments, RG 181, NARA Boston.

Photograph No. PC 466. “Photograph depicting the construction of a bunker containing naval armaments at the Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot.” c. 1930's; Records of Naval Districts and Shore Establishments, Record Group 181, NARA Boston.

Photograph No. PD 141. “Photograph depicting workers assembling 16” powder stacks for ammunition, at the Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot.” c., 1940 Records of Naval Districts and Shore Establishments, RG 181, NARA Boston.

Photograph No. PD 142. “Photograph depicting a line of workers assembling Variable Timing fuses for rockets. These fuses used reflected radio waves to detect proximity to a target which would then trigger the explosion. Factory located at the Hinghan Naval Ammunition Depot” c., 1940 Records of Naval Districts and Shore Establishments, RG 181, NARA Boston.