John Conley presently has a thread going re: hidden gems and Charles River CC would definitely qualify, as I doubt many folks outside of New England have heard of this Ross beauty.
Growing up, we all read about the Medinah's and Firestone's in such books as The World Atlas of Golf. While I haven't played those two, it is hard to imagine that they would be preferable spots for a daily game than Charles River ... or Essex County ... or Myopia Hunt... or Taconic ... or Ekwanok... etc.
Cheers to such courses. Also, our very own Ed Baker was one of the two driving forces behind Prichard's restoration efforts there and Ed is to be congratulated for MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
Cheers,