Upton: History, Research, and Nature

Upton can be viewed through the history of Camp Upton and the research and nature topics of Brookhaven National Laboratory. Two questions can help with your planning: Would you like to trace its historical development, or are you interested in an offering scheduled for a specific date? The visit formats differ considerably; at the same time, the nature topics range from a river used for recreation to a protected habitat.

Camp Upton: Military History and Research

Camp Upton was a U.S. Army base, active from 1917 to 1920 and again from 1940 to 1946. It served to train soldiers during both world wars. As a World War I mobilization camp, Camp Upton is also associated with Irving Berlin, who trained there.

In January 1947, the former Camp Upton was converted into a research center for the peaceful use of atomic energy; Brookhaven National Laboratory was established that same month. Thus, the two periods of military use were followed by a clearly dated transition to research.

Trenches from World War I are located on the grounds of Brookhaven National Laboratory. They may be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. This connects the history of the former mobilization camp with a specific historic feature of the site.

Tours and Learning Opportunities

Brookhaven National Laboratory’s National Synchrotron Light Source II offers monthly tours for visitors. You can learn about how a synchrotron light source operates and the research conducted there, as well as tour the experimental hall. If you have a particular month or day in mind, check the latest visitor information in advance.

The Science Learning Center offers students discovery-based, hands-on learning experiences covering various scientific principles. In-person field trips take place Tuesday through Friday in two time slots: 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. Reservations are required, and slots are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Since these are specific time slots, check them before planning your visit.

Group tours are intended for 10 to 20 guests from colleges, professional organizations, and adult community groups. They can be arranged on selected weekdays, but not on weekends or holidays. Scheduling and access requirements may change, so check these details in advance for your group.

In addition, Brookhaven National Laboratory offers summer Sunday open house tours on selected dates in June, July, and August. The specific dates vary from year to year. If you would like to plan your visit around this offering, check the dates for the relevant year.

Peconic River and Pine Barrens

The Peconic River flows through Brookhaven National Laboratory and is a recreational waterway for anglers, paddlers, and nature photographers. Conditions and access may vary. Alongside guided insights into research, this brings nature into focus, with possible activities depending on the conditions at the time.

The Upton Ecological and Research Reserve is designated as a protected habitat under an agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Pine Barrens area within the reserve provides habitat for approximately 27 endangered, threatened, or special-concern species. While possible recreational uses are the focus at the river, the reserve is notable for its designated protected area and its importance as a habitat.

The topics also differ in terms of planning: tours and learning opportunities are tied to specific formats and dates, while the nature information focuses on the river and the protected habitat.

Explore More Destinations

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For the broader travel overview: Suffolk.