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Ridge Hill, Bradley Estate, Needham, MA

By Pat Laracy Baker

Real Estate Agent with Realty Executives Boston West 113011

February 12, 2012 02:10 AM

Ridge Hill, Bradley Estate, Needham, MA

Have you ever wanted a place to go and get away from the noise of life without driving a long distance? Well we have it here in Needham and that is Ridge Hill, named that because there is a glacier there. This part of Needham was once where the wealthy of Boston came to summer. The beautiful piece of land is home to many animals, plants, grasses and it is so beautiful. There are many trails within the large parcel of land too.

Link to trails at Ridge Hill: http://www.needhamma.gov/DocumentView.aspx?DID=2350

Often I go there to set and think, meditate, plan and just get away from the noise of life. I am only 3 miles east of that sweet spot. We are so fortunate of have this lovely land to share as a community.

Here are two links to some history about this site which was part of a much large parcel of land. It provides for an interesting true story of this area of Needham and a man named William Emerson Baker (no relation).

http://www.boston.com/yourtown/needham/articles/2010/04/08/little_remains_of_19th_century_eccentrics_wondrous_estate_in_needham/?page=2

http://greisnet.com/needhist.nsf/bakerestate!OpenPage

Special thanks to the League of Women Voters who hosted a wonderful informative evening on the Ridge Hill property at the Needham Public Library.

Once the Bradley Estate, the town originally purchased 222 acres in 1972 and put it under the oversight of the Conservation Commission. Through additional acquisitions, the reservation now includes 360 acres of uplands, trails and access to the Charles River.

Until recently, the Bradley Morse house was open for public use. The Selectmen have been responsible for the house and the surrounding 3 acres since the Massachusetts legislature allowed that parcel to be separated from the rest of the reservation land.

Now the way I see it is how can we rehab and preserve the house, garage, and other buildings. It will be costly and could be a few million to rehab but it would be a shame not to. If you love history and architecture like I do you understand what I am talking about. Along with the wonderful acreage is these buildings and how can we do it. I will have my thinking cap or and I hope others will too and put our collective ideas together and and find a way to pay forthe rehab of this buildings.

The link below describes the Ecological Management plan.

http://ma-needham.civicplus.com/DocumentView.aspx?DID=3927