Skip to main content

Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests

Get our e-news! Sign up

small nav

  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Staff
    • Board of Trustees
    • Our History
    • Employment
    • Conservation Center
    • FAQs
    • Partners
    • Business Members
    • Annual Reports
    • Bylaws
    • Policies
  • log in
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

Main menu

  • What we do
    • Land Conservation
    • Education & Events
    • Advocacy
    • Forestry & Recreation
    • News & Features
    • Forest Notes & More Publications
  • Current Projects
    • Mahoosuc Highlands, Shelburne
    • Forest Society North at The Rocks Campaign
    • Build Creek Farm Restrooms, Portsmouth
    • Mount Major Stewardship Fund
    • Recent Accomplishments
  • Visit & Explore
    • The Rocks
    • Conservation Center
    • Mount Major
    • Creek Farm
    • Forest Reservation Guide
    • Visitor Use Guidelines
  • Get Involved
    • Upcoming Events
    • Membership/Renewal
    • Support Our Work
    • Volunteer
    • Subscribe to E-news
    • Annual Meeting 2023
  • Search

Search form

Donate
Menu

News

  • Caledonian Record: Construction Of Forest Society North Nearing Completion

    September 1, 2023

    For hikers and walkers, The Rocks Estate trails are expected to be open by Oct. 1, after most or all construction vehicles are no longer on site.

    Read more
  • Rek-lis "Rocks Red Ale" Pays Tribute to The Rocks

    Anna Berry
    August 9, 2023

    Drink a pint to support The Rocks!

  • Author Howard Mansfield and Composer Ben Cosgrove to Perform Original Work at Annual Meeting

    Anna Berry
    July 27, 2023

    Today’s tourists to the White Mountains may not know it, but they’ve come in search of an Eden created by a legion of 19th-century landscape painters.

Memories Made at the Rocks

Emily Lord
February 15, 2019
The Rocks
Forest Society History
Forest Society members enjoy a tractor-drawn wagon ride at our 1978 Annual Meeting at The Rocks.
Forest Society members set off for a tractor drawn wagon ride in front of the Tool Building at our 1978 Annual Meeting at The Rocks. Photo: Forest Society Archives.
Following the fire that destroyed the historic Tool Building and former Electric Plant used as a gift shop at the Rocks, messages and comments came streaming in. It is clear the Rocks holds a great deal of meaning to many people far and wide. Here's a small selection of comments showing the memories people have made at the Rocks. Any are welcome to share their story or favorite memory on the Rocks' Facebook here.

A Familiar Place...

"I go to the Rocks Estate just about every day to walk my dog and enjoy the special surroundings and historical significance. Very saddened by this tragedy. Would like to help in anyway I can. Thinking of you Nigel, the staff, and our community. Such a sad loss." - Alan Rashkin

"l grew up across the street and worked there for over a decade, what a beautiful and wonderful place. My thoughts go out to Nigel, SPNHF and the whole crew, what a heartbreaking loss for the states history, the town of Bethlehem and everyone involved. That building will always have a special place in my heart, I learned and grew so much on those grounds. The experiences I had and the the life lessons i learned there made me the man I am today." - Morgan Knapton

"So many memories here, my daughters planting their rows of trees while attending Bethlehem kindergarten, getting trees every year, events and weddings and just wandering around a very special place." - Elizabeth Penney

Where Traditions Are Strong...

"This is a place our family has visited for close to 20 years for our annual Christmas tree and have many great memories and hope to continue making many more." - Chris DiMambro"
"We have been coming there every year for the last 15 years to cut down our family Christmas tree. We will continue to tradition at this beautiful location." - Danielle Marsden Johnson
"So sorry, we love The Rocks. We stop there in all seasons to walk around and enjoy the gardens and the view. It has become a tradition to get our wreath there every year." - Donna Dubnow

"So glad you are all ok and Nigels home was spared. I am a veteran and appreciate all you have done for the Trees for Troops program. You all do so much for your community." - Ayme Robinson

And Love Blossoms...

"So sad to hear this. We got married at the Rocks Estate and had the first dance with my wife in that building.... Our hearts go out to you but will always treasure the memories." - Jason Schuster

"Thankfully the fire can't destroy the memories. Our daughter's wedding there two years ago was beautifully done, not just the view but the accommodations and helpful staff. Hopefully there will be a new vision for the future. Our deepest condolences go to you all." Linda & Greg Brown

...And the Memories Last a Lifetime.

"I have so many wonderful memories of The Rocks Estate when I had the privilege of working (was never a job to me it was a lot of fun!) there in the summer of 85' when Ralph and Marilyn Shirley managed it." - Lori Willsey
"My heart breaks. I remember once when I was a very young girl- maybe 10 or 11 and telling Ralph I had nothing to do-he set me up with a bucket of soapy water and a scrub brush to clean the oil spills from the tractors in the tool shed-needless to say, I never again told Ralph I had nothing to do." - Jane Batchelder Thomas.
"Frances Glessner was my great-grandmother. I spent summer and winter vacations here, and continue to visit every year. My heart is breaking for the loss of so much history." - Gail Batchelder

Download the Forest Society Mobile App, powered by OuterSpatial

Available on the App Store
Get it on Google Play

Footer menu

  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests54 Portsmouth St.Concord, NH 03301
Phone: 603.224.9945Fax: 603.228.0423info@forestsociety.org
Land Trust Alliance accreditation logo