Historic Places and Open Spaces

An in-depth look at HHI’s mission

This is part five of a seven-part series that explores Historic Harrisville's core programs—preservation, affordable housing, conservation, green energy, the HHI Archives, and the Harrisville General Store. 

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Primarily a historic preservation organization, many people don’t know that Historic Harrisville is actively engaged in land conservation. We own land for conservation purposes and hold conservation easements on land owned by others.

Why would a preservation nonprofit engage in land conservation?

Photo by Ben Conant courtesy of the Harris Center

The rural setting is critical to the appearance and character of Harrisville’s National Historic Landmark village. Therefore, preserving undeveloped land in and around the village is essential to HHI’s mission. Historic Harrisville aims to protect open spaces, vistas, water quality, forests, and agricultural lands in Harrisville.
 
Our primary purpose is to preserve the historic character of the National Historic Landmark village as a distinct, dense, industrial outpost built to take advantage of the natural features of the place. The American landscape tends to develop with low-density growth extending outward from village or urban centers. HHI is committed to preserving the open space that surrounds the village to prevent it from blurring into the places around it through “sprawl.”

Conservation is just one of several strategies to reduce sprawl. But it is one with notable benefits, including stopping habitat fragmentation and limiting pollution. Open spaces also provide opportunities to explore and experience nature, socialize, and participate in health-boosting recreational activities, contributing to a high quality of life.

In the fall Harris Center Science Director Brett Thelen and HHI Executive Director Erin Hammerstedt led a group hike on HHI conservation land. During the hike they explored the flora and fauna, as well as the industrial history of Harrisville. (Photo by Ben Conant courtesy of the Harris Center)

The Harris Center Hike at Zophar Willard Woods

In October, the Harris Center held one of their easy-going hikes in partnership with Historic Harrisville, providing an opportunity for a guided walk and talk through HHI's Zophar Willard Woods property, which is located behind the Cheshire Mills Complex and extends down to Hancock Road.  

The conservation committee will consider expanding these trails and improving access to them as part of their plan for the property. If you're interested in volunteering to help with this committee, please email Erin Hammerstedt at ehammerstedt@historicharrisville.org.

Conserving open space also helps provide habitat for wildlife. The Bollerud Field, for instance, which is protected by a conservation easement held by Historic Harrisville, is an important habitat for ground-nesting bobolinks, whose populations have declined by more than 50% since their peak in the 1960s and 70s. This lush hayfield is an ideal bobolink habitat and is mowed only once in September to give young birds a chance to leave the nest. 
 
Conservation Easements are another powerful legal tool that can restrict future changes or development. HHI is exploring opportunities to establish formal conservation easements on our land, as well as on neighboring land owned privately by others.

You can read more about the history of Zophar Willard and see a list of our conservation properties on our website.  

As part of their project to improve access to and use of local trails, the Harrisville Trails Committee made and installed signs and blazes to help the public find and follow trails on HHI's properties. (Photo by Ben Conant courtesy of the Harris Center.)

Adjacent to HHI's Zophar Willard Woods, the Bollerud Field is under conservation easement. The land is open to hikers for responsible recreational use. (Photo by Ben Conant, the Harris Center.)

Mami Marnell, Claire Beaulieu, Carrie Silver McDonald, and Katie Nelson at the Heald Farm in Harrisville, which was located at the end of Prospect Street (now Bollerud Field). (Photo courtesy of the Historic Harrisville Archives)

Conserving open space also helps provide habitat for wildlife. The Bollerud Field, for instance, which is protected by a conservation easement held by Historic Harrisville, is an important habitat for ground-nesting bobolinks, whose populations have declined by more than 50% since their peak in the 1960s and 70s. This lush hayfield is an ideal bobolink habitat and is mowed only once in September to give young birds a chance to leave the nest. 
 
Conservation Easements are another powerful legal tool that can restrict future changes or development. HHI is exploring opportunities to establish formal conservation easements on our land, as well as on neighboring land owned privately by others.

You can read more about the history of Zophar Willard and see a list of our conservation properties on our website.  

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Donate to Support Conservation

During this annual fundraising appeal, Historic Harrisville aims to raise $5,000 to cover the carrying costs for our conservation land in 2024, and to help support the work of our conservation committee.

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