History of the NFAHistory of the NFA

WHERE WE ARE NOWWHERE WE ARE NOWNewtown largest private landownerThe NFA owns 1,076 AcresThis is from 108± individual parcelsClustered, create 70 separate preservesSeveral abut Town or State open space Most acquired by donationsMost are deed restricted NFA also preserves 91 Acres under

Conservation Easements

CT’s Oldest Private Land TrustCT’s Oldest Private Land TrustThe Town Forest, less than a mile from the Flagpole, was the first preserve created in 1924 by a group who contributed three parcels into a neighborhood trust referred to as the Newtown Forester’s Association.

Dr. Howard Peck presented the initial of 7.2 acres of land.

Additional abutting lands were subsequently added from other concerned citizens including Cornelia Hawley, Charles Peck, Henry Young and Emmet & Gladys Close to form what is now known as the 15.5-acre "Town Forest".

This is believed to be the first known official Town Forest in the United States of America.

History History (from a 1965 report by Tom Cheney)(from a 1965 report by Tom Cheney)

Records show the Association was formed in 1923 and collected dues of $1 from several individuals annually through 1927.

The absence of records infer a period of dormancy through 1937 when Paul Cullens and Paul Smith convened a meeting to reorganize the Association.

In 1939, the Newtown Forest Association was legally incorporated and the 3 parcels making up the Town Forest were contributed.

In 1940 the NFA obtained its determination letter that it was tax exempt and a charitable organization.

Overlook from Wasserman Preserve Along Al’s Trail

History (continued)History (continued) The NFA remained relatively dormant again until

1955 when Paul Cullens, Paul Smith and others amended the NFA Charter and By-Laws.

In 1959 the NFA purchased 8 acres abutting The Town Forest for $5,000, funded by a donation from Henry Schnakenberg. Henry was a board member from 1961-1968 and in 1970 donated 7 acres to the NFA.

Through 1997 the NFA operated on a shoe string budget and had very little operating costs as most of the property owned was taken care of by volunteer neighbors or was forested land that required minimal tending.

History (Cont.)History (Cont.) Josephine Holcombe passed in 1997 and willed

to the NFA 86 Acres, known has Holcombe Hill at 55/65 Great Hill Road, plus an endowment.

The NFA had a long relationship with the Holcombe’s, having benefited from donations in 1966 and 1987 of 14 and 62 acres, respectively, along Birch Hill Road.

• The NFA uses the earnings to maintain the Holcombe Preserves as well as our other properties.

Sunset at Holcombe Hill

Notable Former Board MembersNotable Former Board Members Arthur Nettleton (1937-1945) Paul A. Cullens (1937-1971) Paul S. Smith (1939-1986) James Brunot (1955-1974) George Northrop (1959-1972) Arthur Christie (1959-1984) Crawford Benedict (1960-1980) Thomas Cheney (1961-1993) Alan Flouton (1970-1997) Doug Roger (1970-2002) Dave Thompson (1977-2002) Robert Beers (1981-1999) Wes Gillingham (1994-2011)

The current NFA Board is eternally grateful to these

individuals, as well as the 100 other past

board members, who have contributed to

the continued success of the NFA and

helped create an open space legacy for all Newtown residents and others to enjoy.

Sunrise at Holcombe Hill

Nettleton PreserveNettleton PreserveNamed "Castle Hill" in 1888 for the castle built on the site by Peter Lorrillard Ronald, world traveler and millionaire.

Flanked by two long wings, a center section 110-feet long featured a drive-through carriageway. When Ronald died in 1905, he left the castle to his mistress, but not the means to maintain it. Building deteriorated and was finally demolished in 1947.

Sunrise from Nettleton Preserve

ENJOY!!!!ENJOY!!!!JO

Looking North From Holcombe Hill