Join Kathleen Stowell for a family winter hike along the trails of The Fells on Sunday, February 26 from 1-2pm. Conditions permitting, bring your own snowshoes. 
Click HERE for more information.
Henry Homeyer: The Garden Guy kicks off the first of a six-part, hands-on gardening series on March 17, 10am-noon.
Click HERE for more information.
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About The Fells
Our Vision
The Vision of The Fells is a restored and preserved Hay Family estate on Lake Sunapee that:
Draws people together to share interests in history, horticulture, ecology, and the protection of the lake;
Offers enriching educational programs and events to stimulate further the pursuit of those interests;
Provides access that lets visitors enjoy their Fells experience within a safe, tranquil environment and wildlife refuge.
Our Mission
Our mission is to welcome people of all ages to The Fells, making each visit an enriching experience with opportunities to explore and learn from our natural lakeside setting, our renowned gardens, and the historic achievements of statesman John Hay.
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The Fells, named after the Scottish word for rocky upland pastures, is situated on a nearly 1,000-acre hillside overlooking scenic Lake Sunapee. It is the former lakeside summer home of American writer and diplomat John M. Hay (1838-1905). Hay's son Clarence inherited the property and along with his wife Alice Appleton Hay, transformed the rock pasture into extensive formal and informal gardens. |
| The Gardens |
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In 1960 the Hays donated 675 acres to the Society for Protection of NH Forests. Upon the death of Alice in 1987, the remaining 164 acre-estate was given to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of their wildlife refuge system. In 2008 84 acres including the historic buildings and grounds were divested from USFWS and The Fells, an independent not for profit 501c(3) organization, who had cared for the property since 1995 became owners. The remaining 80 acres continues to be owned and managed by USFWS. |
| Nature Trails |
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The Main House, built in the cottage style in 1891 and enlarged in 1897, was transformed into a 22-room Colonial Revival house in 1915 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The goal of The Fells is to foster the Hay family's special legacy of land stewardship and to create a center "for understanding the natural world and our place within it" with focus on history, horticulture and the environment. |
| History |
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