We are so lucky to live in a town with both scenic natural landscapes and historical remnants. Bare Cove Park is right in our backyard – a perfect mix of history and nature and a prime exploration area for adults, kids and dogs alike.  Once a U.S. naval ammunition depot, there you are just as likely to spot a doe roaming a woodland trail as you are to dig up a WWII bullet casing in the rocks of the Back River shoreline. On a recent visit to the park with my pup, I met up with Bare Cove Park Ranger and Hinghamite Scott McMillan, at his hidden gem of a museum, the Green Dock House.

Scott and his friend Jim Rose, founded the museum in 2010 by gathering items to display from their fathers’ time in the military. Scott’s father and grandfather were both marines in WWII and WWI respectively, and ironically both stationed in Hingham’s ammunition depot, leading Scott to his deep Hingham roots.  The museum holds pieces from both his grandfather and father’s time in the military, hundreds of artifacts including his father’s WWII uniform and the intricate etchings of his grandfather’s bullet casing trench art.  

Scott, a HHS 1968 graduate, has lived on Fort Hill Street his entire life with his backyard being the ammunition depot. He recalls, “the property line was in my backyard and we used to walk up to the fence and talk to the marine guards as they walked the perimeter of the base.” Scott himself is a veteran, serving in the US Marines from 1969-1972. In 1973, he landed a job in the Hingham Fire Department until in 2003 when he became Bare Cove’s Park Ranger, his current position. 

You might recognize Scott’s friendly smile as he drives through the paved roads in the park, working tirelessly to maintain the beauty of Bare Cove.  You can also find him at the Green Dock House, the 2nd and 4th Sundays from 10-1, March through September.  He says, “I just love people coming in, they walk by here and are surprised to see the museum. They say they’ve never seen this open, they ask what it is and a lot of them become excited.” He is particularly happy when people show interest and start connecting the history to the area, some even donating items from that period in time. So next time you visit Bare Cove, make a point to stop by the museum to learn about Hingham’s military history and be sure to say hello to Scott!