Great Bay Stewards: From the Beginning

A timeline of our achievements over the years, from the 1930s to present.

Timeline of the Stewards

Proposal to dredge

Proposal to dredge or dam the Bay between Adams Point and Newington Shore to allow for more shoreline property.

Olympic Oil Company Makes Announcement
Olympic Oil Company Makes Announcement

Spokesman for the Olympic Oil Company announces its intention to build in Durham the largest oil refinery ever started from scratch anywhere in the world.

Durham residents vote
Durham residents vote

Ninety percent of Durham residents vote at Town Meeting against the refinery.

Great Bay Trust

Great Bay Trust formed to help preserve Great Bay.

GBNERR Established
GBNERR Established

Designation of Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Boardwalk construction

Boardwalk construction at the Great Bay Discovery Center, Greenland, NH.

Great Bay Matters
Great Bay Matters

First Great Bay Matters issue.

Group Formed

Meeting held at Sandy Point to discuss forming a support group, following concern that the state was not providing financial support for the Reserve.

First annual meeting

First annual meeting; Fred Langley (Greenland, NH) become chair.

Trusts and Stewards meet

Joint meeting of the Great Bay Trust and the Great Bay Stewards. “Much animated discussion closed the meeting.”

Grand opening of the Sandy Point Discovery Center

Grand opening of the Sandy Point Discovery Center. First Evelyn Browne award give out. (Dr. William Penhale receives the first award by unanimous vote.)

Merger approved

Great Bay Trustees and Great Bay Stewards vote to merge “By joining with the Stewards we can continue, with renewed energy and commitment, our efforts in protecting and preserving our valuable natural resources,” wrote Richard Langan, president of the GBESCT.

Trustees join Vice President Al Gore

Trustees join Vice President Al Gore on the banks of the Oyster River to announce a $1.6 million restoration and protection plan toward protecting estuaries and reopening clam and oyster beds.

Reserve purchases historic railway station
Reserve purchases historic railway station

The Reserve purchases the historic 1854 railway station adjacent to the Discovery Center (the “Depot House”) with the help of Marple & James real estate.

Great Bay Rough Water Swim launched

Great Bay Rough Water Swim launched with seven swimmers.

Great Bay Matters changes hands
Great Bay Matters changes hands

Great Bay Matters editorship is handed from Stewards Trustee Bill Penhale over to Reserve Education Coordinator Kelle Laughlin.

Great Bay 5K is launched
Great Bay 5K is launched

Great Bay 5K is launched as part of the 10-year anniversary celebration of the Reserve (the “Great Bay Fest”).

The Gundalow Company

The Gundalow Company is formed; the Stewards begin developing projects with them.

Wigwam constructed
Wigwam constructed

The wigwam is constructed.

Art of Great Bay launched
Art of Great Bay launched

First Art of Great Bay show and sale.

Barn Dedication
Barn Dedication

Dedication of the Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center (“the Barn”).

Graduate Students Complete Research

Stewards fund 10 graduate student research projects.

40,000th student
40,000th student

40,000th student attends the school program.

20th anniversary of the Reserve

20th anniversary of the Reserve.

Special Collections

Great Bay Special Collections opens.

Pavilion constructed
Pavilion constructed

Blue Heron Education Pavilion constructed.

Soak Up The Rain
Soak Up The Rain

Soak Up the Rain project begins, resulting in many stormwater management installations.

New boardwalk
New boardwalk

Ribbon cutting for opening of new boardwalk.

Wellenberger Woods dedication

Dedication for the Wellenberger Woods Natural Play Area.

Accessibility improved

Accessibility to waterfront improved.

Great Bay For The Ages
Great Bay For The Ages

Great Bay for the Ages, a legacy program, is launched.

Estuary Explorers Launched
Estuary Explorers Launched

Estuary Explorers fund for field trips launched, bringing underprivileged students to the Great Bay Discovery Center free of charge.

30th Anniversary
30th Anniversary

30th anniversary of GBNERR; Time capsule unearthed with the help of Greenland students and buried again in front of the Great Bay Discovery Center.

Generous donation received

Stewards receive a nearly $1 million anonymous donation to support Reserve staff and buildings.

A new challenge
A new challenge

Great Bay 55K Challenge added to the Great Bay 5K | Race for a Healthy Estuary.

Grab & Go a hit
Grab & Go a hit

Free Grab & Go educational kits put out weekly during the pandemic, with support from the Stewards.

Stewards 25th Year
Stewards 25th Year

Stewards celebrate the 25th anniversary of their nonprofit designation.

Tide Turners Program Launched
Tide Turners Program Launched

Tide Turners program is launched.

Ribbon Cutting Event
Ribbon Cutting Event

The Stewards hold a ribbon cutting for the new Estuary Inclusion Garden