Saving The Sheep Farm, A 300-Year-Old Colonial Settlement Site In Connecticut

The town of Groton, Connecticut, has a long history dating to before its incorporation in 1705, and the 63-acre Sheep Farm property is part of that history. So when the Groton Open Space Association (GOSA), which works to save historic and open space, asked the Fund to help them protect the Sheep Farm we were happy to assist.

The Fund is dedicated to helping communities save their favorite places, and that often means helping them preserve their history. With a loan from our Land Trust Loan Program we were able to provide the GOSA with the financing they needed. “Our organization faced a tight deadline on the Sheep Farm acquisition. Without timely cash, our option would have lapsed," noted Joan Smith, GOSA president.

The land includes remnants of agricultural and industrial operations, including an early 18th century grist mill along Fort Hill Brook and the historic Samuel Edgecomb House. Edgecomb’s son became famous for his efforts to fight off British troops during the Revolutionary War by effectively throwing 18-pound shots, one with each hand, over the walls of Fort Griswold in Groton.

The property's mountain laurel forest, meadows and highly productive wetlands provide ideal habitat for a wide array of plant, bird, amphibian and other species. The site’s 10-foot waterfall on Fort Hill Brook—the highest waterfall in the town—forms a natural barrier to migrating fish, with the exception of the American eel, which can scale the rock wall. Fort Hill Brook flows onward from the farm to Mumford Cove, which feeds the Long Island Sound.

The Sheep Farm now will be open to the public for some recreation and will function as an outdoor classroom for all ages, providing opportunities for historical and natural studies and community enjoyment.

Historic lands define our nation—and our communities. With a donation from you we can make sure communities are able to preserve their landscapes for future generations.