In 2001 and 2002, the Conservancy purchased 42 acres of the former Hale Farm at the junction of Colebrook and Stillman Hill roads (Routes 182 and 183), just south of Colebrook Center. This “gateway to Colebrook” preservation project included restoration of the historic Hale barn, which dates from 1797. We actively manage the Farm’s hayfields and pasture land.

The Hale Barn is a vanishing breed of 18th century barns that once graced much of the Connecticut countryside Today it is owned by the Colebrook Land Conservancy and will be protected in perpetuity along with 38 acres upon which it sits. During its most recent past it was one of Colebrook’s last working dairy farms owned and operated by the Hale family. The Conservancy also acquired 4 acres diagonally across the road and they too are preserved as open space.

The historic crossroads of Stillman Hill Road and Rte 183 where the barn stands date from the 1760s when Stillman Hill Road was built as a segment of the Old North Road for the movement of military troops during the French and Indian War. Later, during the Revolutionary War following the British defeat at Saratoga in October 1777, British and Hessian prisoners were marched south through Colebrook along this very road.

Today this land has significant natural value as it features a diverse landscape of fields, wetlands and forest types lying in the Loon Brook watershed.  It also provides a variety of habitat for wildlife, such as deer, porcupines, great horned owls, ravens, ruffed grouse, wild turkeys, Eastern meadowlarks, bobolinks, and amphibians and reptiles.

A loop trail is located on the northern section of the property. The trail head can be found approximately 200 yards north from the sign in front of the barn, at an opening in the guard rail on the left side of Route 183 as you travel toward Colebrook Center. It is recommended that you park at the barn and walk to the trail head.  Please be watchful of on-coming traffic.

Conservation of this open space and barn was made possible by the generosity of the people of Colebrook, friends and members of the Colebrook Land Conservancy and a grant from the State of Connecticut.