Harvey Preserve
Trail Information
Trail Map: Available soon
Description: The loop through the Harvey Preserve is a fairly flat, 1.2 mile trail leading you through mostly upland forest. There are a few potentially wet areas depending on weather conditions.
Directions: The preserve is located on Federal Rd in Chaplin, approximately 0.3 miles north of Davis Rd and 0.5 miles south of Tower Hill Rd. There is no address but the preserve sign is located on the western side of Federal Rd. Look for the graveled parking lot.
About the Property
In 2023 Samuel Harvey (Sam) donated 180 acres of largely forested land in northwestern Chaplin to Joshua’s Trust. This is the second largest land donation to the Trust.
Sam was an accountant who spent most of his childhood and adult work life in Maryland. He was very proud of his Southern and his Chaplin heritage. He cherished his childhood visits to his grandfather Samuel’s farm in Chaplin. The Harvey family ownership of the land goes back to the 19th century when one of Sam’s ancestors was part owner of a sassafras mill along Stonehouse Brook.
When Sam’s grandfather died in 1950 the Chaplin estate was divided into three parts: one part each going to Sam’s dad (another Sam Harvey), his uncle, John Harvey, and his aunt, Margery Harvey. When Sam retired around 1994 he moved to Chaplin with a goal of putting his grandfather’s farmland back together. In just a few years he was able to purchase the outstanding parcels which luckily were still owned by relatives.
The property that Sam gave to the Trust permanently protects this historic property with over 2,000 feet of frontage on North Bedlam Road, and over 3,000 feet of frontage on Federal Road.
Location: Chaplin and Mansfield, Connecticut
Donors: Samuel “Sam” Harvey
Acreage: 180
Preserved: 2023
