08/24/2026
🌿 **DID YOU KNOW? — BOYDEN THROUGH THE YEARS** 🌿
**Part 1: Before Boyden Was Boyden**
Long before it became the **Gertrude M. Boyden Wildlife Refuge**, this beautiful property along the Three Mile River already had an interesting connection to nature, wildlife and Taunton history.
The property was once known as the **Laura Thomas Estate**, a summer residence in the Westville section of Taunton. But perhaps the most interesting part of its early history is its connection to one of Taunton's own internationally known naturalists.
🦅 **Arthur Cleveland Bent (1866–1954)**, a Taunton native and renowned ornithologist, used the area that would eventually become Boyden Refuge to study **birds and their nesting habits**. Bent devoted much of his life to studying North American birds and became internationally recognized for his work documenting their life histories.
Think about that the next time you're walking the trails at Boyden and stop to watch a bird in the trees or along the river. **People were studying and appreciating the wildlife on this very land long before it officially became a refuge.**
Bent's connection to Boyden is still remembered today. The Taunton Conservation Commission's **Arthur Cleveland Bent Award** honors individuals who demonstrate a commitment to wildlife, natural resources and conservation.
And this is only the beginning of the story...
👉 **Next week: Who was Gertrude M. Boyden, and how did her vision help turn this property into the wildlife refuge we know today?**
💬 **Now we'd like to hear from you:**
How far back do YOUR memories of Boyden go? Did you visit as a child? Fish there? Walk the trails with your family? Maybe you remember something about Boyden that others have forgotten.
**Share your Boyden memories—or an old photo if you have one—in the comments!** 📸🌳
