This page will be about Kemp Woods, the Kemp family, pictures of the mill James Kemp had in Pepperell, current photos, stories, etc. and the donation to NEFF, and recently the sale by NEFF to the State of Massachusetts, to preserve the woods.
1988 Donation of Kemp Woods to the New England Forestry Foundation
From a May 1988 Round Robin letter from Dick Bissell to his children, he mentions the possibility of a Kemp Woods transfer:
"Mom and I have been thinking about a way in which we could pay a little enduring respect to the name of Kemp for their love for the woods and all things that grow. The idea that has emerged is to make the Kemp woods and other land adjoining, that we have acquired, available to present and future generations a place where they could walk or ride horseback and perhaps see a Beaver, a Deer, Fox an owl and various other wild life that inhabits the woods. Thinking that the best way to accomplish this would be thru the New England Forestry Foundation I went in to see Mr. Holden [Mr. Holden was Grandpa and Grandma Bissell's lawyer who helped from time to time with property transactions, although Richard Bissell was an excellent drafter of deeds himself, even though not trained as a lawyer.] this a.m. to see what he thought about the idea. His reaction was quite emphatic, "That's a marvelous idea." We did discuss it further but his reaction was still the same. Next I will contact N.E.F.F. and they may not want it. We shall see."
From a January 1989 Round Robin letter from Dick Bissell to his children, he mentions the Kemp Woods transfer:
"The Kemp Woods land was transferred to the New England Forestry Foundation and recorded by them the middle of Nov. according to a very complimentary letter from the Executive Director, Hugh Putnam. My choice of the N.E.F.F. has a long background (about fifty years). My association, in a few local affairs, with Mr. Wm. P. Wharton who founded the Massachusetts Forest & Park Association, and was it's President until shortly before his death. During his tenure the M.F.&P. became the N.E.F.F. with the objective "To protect and preserve in its natural state for growing timber and the passive enjoyment of all."
2014 Sale of Kemp Woods by N.E.F.F. to the State of Massachusetts
From the N.E.F.F. spring 2015 newsletter, the announcement about their sale of the property to the State of Massachusetts:
"Conservation success stories. Throne Hill - Kemp Woods Forest in Groton, Massachusetts - sale of 85 acres. The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) has established a new land protection focus area called Throne Hill in the northwestern part of Groton for the purposes of protecting rare species habitat and providing public recreational access. DFW approached NEFF last spring about a possible purchase of the fee interest in NEFF's Kemp Woods forest, which is a key piece in the planned assemblage of multiple properties. DFW simultaneously acquired an abutting 28-acre property. Throne Hill, several hundred acres in extent, most of it held by other conservation entities, contains a high concentration of vernal pools that harbor several state-listed wildlife species. The agency's goal is to bring as much of Throne Hill as possible under one consolidated wildlife management plan. NEFF will put the proceeds fo the sale to work protecting more forest land in Massachusetts and augmenting the permanent fund."
Kemp House, 1914.
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