West Newbury, Massachusetts

Total Acres: 45

Year Conserved: 2007

Property Description

This 45-acre reservation contains spectacular vistas, watershed land, and an exceptional combination of natural communities including grassland habitat, mixed forest and wetlands. It is also part of a much larger conservation corridor that hosts a variety of wildlife and retains many of our region's best scenic and recreational qualities.

Greenbelt completed the conservation of this land in 2007. An innovative public/private partnership, using a combination of conservation restrictions (CRs), outright purchases and a generous gift of land, made conserving this land possible.

Special Features:              

The Greenbelt parcel was once part of a large estate owned by Major Ben Perley Poore, the son of a merchant, and a famed editor and newspaperman. An avid horticulturist, he planted many trees over most of the hill, which had previously been cleared, and designed extensive terraces, formal gardens and winding cart-paths. The land passed to his daughter, Alice, who married into the Moseley family. Most recently, the farm was owned by Edward S. and Winifred Moseley, both of whom died in the summer of 2006. A fire in 1959 had destroyed the large barn and much of the original mansion. Rather than raze the entire estate building, the burned out portion was eliminated and the original structure became two smaller homes, which are now privately owned.

Parking

Park in the small lot at the entrance to the property on Indian Hill Street. Parking is limited to four cars. 

Directions

From Route 95 northbound:

Take exit 56, Scotland Road. Turn left off the exit ramp. Travel 0.4 mile and turn right onto Indian Hill Street. The property is located 0.9 mile on the left-and side of the street.