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About Steep Rock

In the Spring of 1889, just as he was about to break ground on his own country house in Washington, Connecticut, the architect Ehrick Rossiter discovered that the wooded hillsides in his dramatic view to the west were slated for clear cutting. For him, there was only one thing to do.

Photo by E. Winthrop Rossiter ‘Shepaug River’ circa 1932
Photo by Richard Wanderman circa August 2009

Our Rich History

For him, there was only one thing to do. Using the construction money for the house, he bought the threatened land from the timber company and saved forever the 100 acres that now form the heart of the Steep Rock reservation. During his 36 years of ownership, Rossiter built carriage roads and small river crossings and invited his friends and fellow townspeople to enjoy the wild beauty of this section of the Shepaug River Valley. In 1925 Rossiter donated the land, which included the Steep Rock overlook, to a carefully chosen group of trustees, thus ensuring its preservation. Four years later the trustees purchased the area known as the Clam Shell, and in doing so preserved the view from Steep Rock.

With little of the fanfare that sometimes surrounds such efforts today, these ten people quietly established a public land trust long before the idea of land protection became common. Since then, many landowners have given additional tracts to the Steep Rock Association, and today Steep Rock’s holdings include over 5,700 acres.

SRA Timeline

1871

Ehrick Rossiter graduates

from The Gunnery, where he develops a fondness for Washington and roaming along the Shepaug River. A 235-foot curved tunnel is blasted through bedrock to make way for the planned railroad.

1872

Shepaug Valley Railroad

begins operation, putting Washington Depot (then known as the Hollow) within a day's travel of New York City. Carrying both passengers and freight, the railroad runs along the river.

1889

Ehrick Rossiter buys

100 wooded acres along the Shepaug River to save it from logging.

1893

Philanthropist Edward I. Van Ingen

builds Holiday House (designed by Rossiter), a hotel built as a retreat for young working women from New York City. (It no longer stands.)

1925

Rossiter donates the land,

called "Steep Rock," to a group of trustees, so that it be preserved. The nine original trustees are Adrian Van Sinderen, George W. Vaillant, Hamilton Gibson, Arthur L. Shipman, Arthur C. Titus, Victor H. McCutcheon, E. Winthrop Rossiter. Siddons Mowbray and Anne Van Ingen.

1929

Purchase

Steep Rock trustees purchase "the Clam Shell."

1941

Ehrick Rossiter,

born in 1854, distinguished architect and founder of Steep Rock, dies.

1948

Shepaug Valley Railroad

ceases operation and tracks are removed.

1953

81 Steep Rock contributors

The trustees invite 81 Steep Rock contributors to a picnic at the Clam Shell. Subsequent picnics include the whole town.

1955

Great Flood

wipes out parts of the Depot and bridges and abutments along the Shepaug River. Boulders, uprooted trees and tons and tons of debris litter the river banks.

1961

Incorporated as a land trust

Steep Rock is formally incorporated as a land trust, with 18 trustees serving three-year terms. The Steep Rock reservation has increased to about 650 acres.

1962

The Washington Horse Show

is held in the newly built riding ring in a meadow below the former Holiday House. Each year, the show donates its profits to Steep Rock.

1963

Donation

Jean and Adrian Van Sinderen donate 650 acres, now called Hidden Valley, to the Steep Rock Association.

1974

Land on Church Hill

After intense debate, trustees accept a non-contiguous piece of land on Church Hill, expanding Steep Rock's role in preserving land throughout Washington.

1976

Hidden Valley Footbridge

A small wooden footbridge over Bee Brook allows dry access to the Hidden Valley entrance just north of the Rt. 47 highway bridge.

1977

Hidden Valley footbridge

is built across the Shepaug River, forming a pleasant loop trail. Built by (then) forester John Marsh and Michael Alex.

1982

Donation

The McDonald family donates a conservation easement -- Steep Rock's first -- of land on Lower Church Hill.

1985

First director

Trustees hire first director, shared with the Roxbury Land Trust.

1987

New Hidden Valley footbridge

New Hidden Valley footbridge replaces the 1977 one.

1991

Hauser footbridge

Hauser footbridge, a wood and cable suspension bridge, is built in the Steep Rock reservation across the river just downstream of the old sawmill hole.

2000

Meeker Swamp Purchase

A parcel of 238 acres known as Meeker Swamp is purchased with roughly equal contributions from the Town, State and Steep Rock and its supporters, and dedicated as the Macricostas Preserve in July 2001.

2005

Macricostas Preserve Official Open

Macricostas Preserve is officially opened, with bridges, boardwalks, and marked trails in place. Heavy rains in October cause flooding, and sweep away the bridge in Hidden Valley. In December, Vinnie Forese retires as forester after 25 years.

2007

New Hidden Valley footbridge

New Hidden Valley footbridge, replacing the 1987 one washed away in 2005 flooding, is dedicated to the memory of Stephen C. Reich on New Year's Day.

2010

Steve Law became the new Executive Director

of Steep Rock Association replacing Susan Branson who retired after 20 years of service.2011 Bronson Farmland, 68.9 acres of prime farmland and forest adjacent to Hidden Valley Preserve, is acquired.

2012

Two-year critical habitat study

Steep Rock Association (SRA) launches a two-year critical habitat study on all SRA property. Educational programs are offered for the first time to the general public in the Summer edition of The Steep Rock Vista newsletter.

Make A Difference

Your donation today helps Steep Rock Association protect and steward special places for you to learn about nature and explore the great outdoors.

Matching Gifts

 Did you know many companies match donations made by employees, employees’ spouses, and retirees, allowing employees to DOUBLE their generosity and impact? 

Contact your employer today to see if they will match your gift.

QCDs

 If you are 70½ years of age or older, you can take advantage of a popular gift option called a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) also known as a IRA charitable rollover.  QCDs offer simple ways to benefit Steep Rock and receive tax benefits in return.

To learn more, visit here.

Stock or Wire

If you’d like to give a gift via wire or stock, please reach out to gifts@steeprockassoc.org for our account information.

DAF

You can donate through your donor advised fund in just three clocks on our website
When granting through your donor-advised fund, please use the following information:

Our legal name: Steep Rock Association, Inc.
Tax ID: #06-6069060
Mailing address: PO Box 279, Washington Depot, CT 06794

Check Donations

Please make checks payable to Steep Rock Association. Our mailing address is:

Steep Rock Association
PO Box 279
Washington Depot, CT 06794