Restoration Project at The Rocks

First Phase of Plan to Renovate & Restore Buildings & Land After 2019 Fire is Complete

Will Abbott | September 26, 2021
Tags:
The Rocks,
Forest Society History
Construction equipment works on moving dirt at the site of the historic Tool Building at The Rocks.

The site of the former Tool Building foundation (looking south from northern end of former Tool Building site/dump truck on surface of existing parking lot west of Tool Building) is being transformed.

A dirt berm covered in grass and filled with soil and an old stone foundation is under construction.
The berm by the parking lot west of Tool Building site.The stone foundation was removed for reuse in the new landscaping on site while the berm soil was relocated in Tool Building foundation hole.
The Forest Society completed the first phase of “Forest Society North” in September, a long-term plan to renovate and restore the landscape, facilities and program at The Rocks in Bethlehem, following the February 2019 fire which destroyed two historic buildings, the Tool Building and the Electric Plant.

These two buildings hosted all our indoor public program activity at The Rocks, our office space and our operations center for the Christmas Tree Farm.

Construction crews worked over the summer to restore the area where the lost buildings were located, creating a large open green space for public use (picnicking and gatherings), with exceptional views of the White Mountains.

Landscape architect Leigh Starer and her crew used the massive granite foundation stones that once supported the Tool Building to transform the landscape into a rustic hillside amphitheater centered on a panorama that stretches from the Kilkenny Range to the Presidentials.

The site of the red farm house and barns visible from Interstate 93 is being transformed to serve as the operations center for the Christmas Tree Farm.

The remodeled operations center will include a new heated garage for farm equipment repair and storage.  

The Rocks was donated to the Forest Society in 1978 by two grandchildren of John and Frances Glessner, who purchased the property and developed The Rocks as a working farm in the late 1800s.The 1978 gift stipulated that an agricultural crop be grown in the property’s 40 acres of fields. For the past three decades that crop has been Christmas trees, drawing thousands of visitors in November and December each year.

A small wood shed is lifted by a front-end loader.
The former gift shop known as "Brown Betty" was removed from the berm and relocated to the Carriage Barn parking lot.
Architects are preparing construction plans for the renovation of the 1888 Carriage Barn into a public welcome center, with classrooms, exhibit space, restrooms, offices and additional parking. The second phase of the construction plans are due to begin in spring 2022.

A freshly created open area will turn from dirt to gardens soon.

Before & After

The charred remnants are pictured after the fire at The Rocks was put out.

Rocks from the foundation of the former Tool Building were repurposed into an outdoor amphitheater at The Rocks with spectacular views.
Rocks from the foundation of the former Tool Building were repurposed into an outdoor amphitheater at The Rocks with spectacular views. Landscaping will finish in spring 2022.

Rocks from the foundation of the former Tool Building were repurposed into an outdoor amphitheater at The Rocks with spectacular views.
Another view of the progress underway at the site of the former Tool Building at The Rocks.
The charred remnants are pictured after the fire at The Rocks was put out.

Help Us Rebuild the Rocks

On February 13, 2019, a fire at The Rocks destroyed two historic buildings that we used for office space, programming, a gift shop and farm operations. In the wake of this devastating loss, the Forest Society has an opportunity to rethink the vision for this iconic North Country destination. 

Learn more about our plans to renovate and restore The Rocks and donate!