Massabesic Center, photo by Walter Keane.
The Massabesic Center in Auburn is open Wednesdays-Saturdays from 11am-5pm (closed Sundays-Tuesdays). Come in during open hours to say “hello!”, visit the Nature Shop, Animal Room, and education displays. Trails and pollinator gardens are open from dawn to dusk daily.
Visit Us
Visit us at 26 Audubon Way in Auburn, NH.
Have a question or want to register for a program? Call (603) 224-9909 or email mac@nhaudubon.org.
Hours
The Center is open:
Wednesday-Saturday: 11am – 5pm
We are closed on major holidays.
Sanctuary trails are open dawn to dusk daily.There is no admission charge, but donations are always welcome.
Snow Closings
Massabesic Center closes for inclement weather when the Auburn School District closes. For updates on closures, visit WMUR.
Groups
If you are a group of 5 or more and wish to use our center/property to meet, you must let our staff know in advance. Please contact our Massabesic Center Director, Kimmie, at (603) 224-9909 or by email.
The 5,000 square foot Massabesic 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.
About Battery Point
The Center is situated on a point of land known as Battery Point on Lake Massabesic in Auburn, NH. 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.
A dedicated team of educators and volunteers provide year-round nature, recreation, and environmental education programs. These include school, youth group, 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 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.
Store Hours
Wednesday-Saturday: 11am-5pm
Trail Guide
**As of August 2024 please refer to this Updated Massabesic Center Trail Footprint as we undergo construction, see here for details.**
Massabesic Center Trail Guide (Pre-construction)
Snowshoe and Binocular Rentals
We offer snowshoe and binocular rentals to visitors during our regular business hours.
Snowshoes can be rented when 6 inches or more of snow is on the ground. Binoculars can be rented in all weather conditions. All rentals are on a first-come, first-served basis for use on Massabesic Center property only and must be returned by closing the day of rental. Adult and youth sizes are available for all gear. How-to handouts and trail maps are included.
Snowshoes rentals: $10/member, $15/non-members
Binocular rentals: FREE for members, $5/non-members
For large groups, please contact our Education Team (Shelby Morelli at McLane smorelli@nhaudubon.org and Slater Roosa at Massabesic sroosa@nhaudubon.org). Guided tours at YOUR location are also available!
Massabesic Center makes a beautiful location for weddings and other special events. Photo by Melissa Koren. Visit our Weddings page for more information.
