The Blue Hill Observatory was founded by MIT graduate Abbott Lawrence Rotch as a private scientific station for the study of weather and the atmosphere. The first weather observations were made on february 1, 1885 and they have continued uninterrupted to the present day. This makes it the oldest continuously operating weather station in the nation and a benchmark for world climatology. Owned and operated by Harward university for 60 years , Blue Hill Observatory, in conjunction with the Massachusetts department of conservation and recreation, is now a not-for-profit climate station, educational center, and museum. The observatory and gift shop are open to the public weekends and by appointment.