Property Details

The Welch and Kulish Forests abut one another in Hancock and share access points. The properties are located about 2 miles northwest of the center of Hancock and about 15 miles east of downtown Keene.

Prior to acquisition by the Forest Society, the Welch Forest belonged to the Welch family, who inhabited the property since 1862. They homesteaded and farmed the land, then operated a summer boarding house on the property beginning in 1883. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, farms in New Hampshire began promoting themselves as places for people from the city to come during the summer to relax.  This effort was the state’s first major attempt to promote tourism.  The income derived from this practice allowed farms and homesteads to persist despite widespread migration westward. The Welches were early adopters of the summer boarding way of life.  By 1903, Hancock had no fewer than 13 boarding houses.  All were dependent on the local railroad station in Hancock to deliver their boarders.

The farm produced veal, pork, milk, eggs, poultry, vegetables, cream and butter for its tenants.  Up to 800 buckets and taps produced syrup from the maple trees on the property.

Circumstances of Acquisition

Welch Forest was acquired on January 27th, 2000 from Elizabeth Welch.  Ms. Welch gave the property, along with two additional parcels for resale, to the Forest Society. The town of Hancock holds the conservation easement on the property and the Harris Center holds an executory interest.

The Forest Society acquired Kulish Forest on February 24, 2006 from Robyn and Wanda Clough.  The purchase was made possible through funding from many partners, including the Harris Center, the town of Hancock, the Quabbin to Cardigan Initiative and the Monadnock Land Protection Funds. The town of Hancock holds the conservation easement on the property, and the Harris Center holds an executory interest.