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JONATHAN LABAREE BEECH HILL continued from page 1 the area as a child and spent time on the hill. “My spiritual connection to Beech Hill dates back to those years,” Stetson recalls: “I thought – at age 16 – that if I ever could buy that land I would preserve it.” The opportunity did arise 18 years later and Stetson followed through on her childhood dream – purchasing the land in 1986 to ensure its conservation. “Beech Hill,” she says, “is one of those special places on earth that has to be protected.” Working closely with MCHT, the Cuttings’ attorney placed an easement on Beech Hill before the sale — restricting possible house sites to ten on 575 acres. “Zoning at that time would have permitted 400 legal houselots,” says Chris Cokinis, a Camden real estate agent. “Jane saved Beech Hill: it could have been a disaster.” Jane and her husband Bill Stetson STUART DALY became devoted stewards of Beech Hill. They supplemented the easement restrictions with further covenants to ensure that any future houses on the land would not diminish the area’s scenic or ecological integrity. A strong commitment to working landscapes and sustainable agriculture led them to establish an organic blueberry operation. They invested more than $100,000 in reclaiming former barrens – a labor-intensive process of clearing the land, mowing, burning and treating vines with sulfur. Now, with 100 acres of vine ready for production, Beech Hill is one of Maine’s largest organic blueberry operations. The Stetsons also helped preserve the property’s historic stone hut by repointing stone work, repairing the roof and protecting it against vandalism. “The building had become a hot spot for partying kids,” Jane Stetson explains: “the leaded windows had been broken, and the parquet floors used for firewood.” Unable to manage inappropriate use of the land, FORMER OWNERS BILL AND JANE STETSON WERE CONSCIENTIOUS STEWARDS OF BEECH HILL. BEECH HILL STANDS AS A BEACON ALONG THE COAST, VISIBLE FAR ACROSS PENOBSCOT BAY. CAMDEN HILLS STATE PARK CAMDEN ROCKPORT BEECH HILL PENOBSCOT the Stetsons had to post it. “It broke our hearts to close off access,” Bill Stetson says, “but we had lost control over what we were trying to save.” Despite the Stetsons’ conscientious stewardship, many community members remained sad that Beech Hill was in private hands. During the latter years of the Cuttings’ ownership, local residents had taken to walking the land and had come to love the land as their own. A 1986 commentary in the Camden Herald newspaper speaks to the sense of grief people felt at the prospect of losing access to Beech Hill: “Every time I walk up the path to the little stone house at the hilltop, I feel as though it’s the first time my feet are treading the ground. Often there are others roaming the fields, taking in the spectacular sweeping view of Penobscot Bay, eating ripened blueberries… Will we ever walk this path again?” Now community members will walk the summit path again, thanks to the generosity of the Stetsons and the key funders and partners that contributed to Beech Hill’s permanent protection. 3 MAINE HERITAGE SPRING 2001 BAY
© SARA GRAY © SARA GRAY “Beechnut,” the stone cottage at the summit of Beech Hill, was crafted by a Norwegian-born landscape designer, Hans O. Heistad. Commissioned to build a cottage for picnics and afternoon teas, Heistad chose a long, low design with sod roof — MANAGING modeled after traditional Norwegian BEECH HILL mountain cottages. The structure was MCHT will transfer the Beech built during the winters of 1913 and Hill preserve to Coastal Mountains 1915 – with each stone transported Land Trust, which plans to establish to the site in burlap and set in a network of trails for walking and cross-country skiing within the next two years. Trails will be sited to minimize impact on the blueberry operations and on critical grassland bird species – such as vesper and savannah sparrows, Eastern meadowlarks and bluebirds. Beech Hill is likely to draw many local residents and visitors. “In caring for Beech Hill,” says Coastal Mountains’ Executive Director Scott Dickerson, “we’ll need to balance the demands of visitors with the needs of the land.” Parking will be confined to one or two modest sites, landscaped to minimize their visual impact. The local trust hopes to expand the organic blueberry operation – which keeps fields open, supports grassland bird habitat and models sustainable agricultural practices. THE “BEECHNUT” HUT HELP PROTECT LANDMARKS LIKE BEECH HILL Your donations help Maine Coast Heritage Trust conserve exceptional places like Beech Hill in Rockport and the Stone Barn Farm on Mount Desert Island. We greatly appreciate contributions at all levels. Name: Street: City: State: Zip: Please make your check payable to MAINE COAST HERITAGE TRUST and mail to: Bowdoin Mill, One Main Street, Topsham, ME 04086. If you prefer, you may donate by credit card. Instructions are available on the MCHT website (www.mcht.org) or complete the following: Credit Card number: HISTORIC IMAGES OF “BEECHNUT” IN ITS EARLY YEARS. ❏ Visa expiration date: ❏ Mastercard signature: place by hand. The sound design and careful construction helped keep the cottage intact, despite years of neglect and vandalism. Coastal Mountains Land Trust is now raising funds to restore the hut so it can be used for environmental education and community functions. Former owner Bill Stetson notes that much of the interior wood and stonework is “incredibly detailed and still intact: when fully restored, it will be quite a showcase.” Questions? Please call 207-729-7366 or e-mail us at development@mcht.org. Thank you! 4 MAINE HERITAGE SPRING 2001 JONATHAN LABAREE
Page 1 and 2: © SARA GRAY As one first ascends B
Page 3: I first learned about Beech Hill in

Maine Heritage - Maine Coast Heritage Trust

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