Rolling Ridge Property

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HENRY AND MARY CUSHING NILES

Thanks to the foresight and generosity of a unique Quaker couple, Henry and Mary Cushing Niles, this natural treasure has been preserved for future generations. The Niles bought their first piece of land here in 1952 and acquired additional land up to 1979. Except for the cold months, they lived in a simple cabin on this land into their nineties. The Niles bequeathed their land and house, called Niles Cabin, to the Rolling Ridge Foundation for the enjoyment of the three nonprofit user groups that bring in a variety of people who appreciate this sanctuary and offered events. Their bequest was made with one defining provision: that the Foundation would provide for “perpetual, spiritual use of the land.”

FRIENDS WILDERNESS CENTER

The Friends Wilderness Center (FWC) was founded in 1974 as a non-profit Quaker organization that hosts a variety of events of your design or ours for anyone. The FWC has primary use of many acres of land within the 1400 acres of the Rolling Ridge Foundation property. We have a tree house, Mongolian yurt, camping areas, and the Niles Cabin. We share this land with two other nonprofit groups (see below).

Here in Rolling Ridge you will find a uniquely preserved ecological space filled with an array of wonders: creeks and waterfalls; a spring that bubbles up through a bed of ferns; a mysterious underground brook; scattered boulders and chunks of quartz, as well as a free-standing stone chimney and an occasional artifact to remind us of earlier dwellers. Many miles of foot trails and old logging trails crisscross the land. Wildlife abounds.

OTHER USERS OF THE PROPERTY (HUMAN)

There are two other independent nonprofit organizations that also use some of the land at Rolling Ridge: the For Love of Children Outdoor Education Center (FLOC OEC) can be read about at www.flocoutdoors.org/ ; and the Study Retreat Associates at Rolling Ridge can be read about at www.rollingridge.net/ . Contact each directly in advance if you should want to visit them when making your visit to the Friends Wilderness Center.

We three communities each have our own designated areas, programs, facilities and residents. We ask you to respect their space as you hike and camp. A map is available in the Niles Cabin that can give you a layout of the land, its features, and these communities.