REWHC Opens New Trail

Raytheon Employees Wildlife Habitat Committee (REWHC) has opened a new nature trail that passes through the site of the former Portsmouth Poor Farm. If you were imbecilic, intemperate, or indigent between 1833 and 1926 you would have been a prime candidate for residence at the poor farm. (Yes, the poor farm was sited here on the Portsmouth campus and you would have been expected to earn your keep.) Although this area is rich in artifacts of historical significance, please no souvenir collecting. If you do spot something special, contact John Ort (ext. 4810), REWHC Historic Chairperson.

The new trail, "Poor Farm Ramble", is a beautiful extension of our first nature trail "Woodland Wander" and starts near it's lower end. (Walk twenty feet towards the Nimitz building and "Ramble" starts on the right. Just look for the temporary signs.) "Ramble" ends at the parking lot between Nimitz and Providence. To walk the trails in the other direction, go to the start of "Crabapple Trail" and look for the temporary signs.

"Ramble" is a quarter mile long and if you do it as a loop that includes "Woodland Wander" you have a three-quarter mile fitness walk. The best (???) part is the two hundred foot elevation change that gets your heart pumping. Along the walk you should see stone walls, well and building foundations. Of course we included one of the finest collections of wolf trees including "Wild Black Cherry" and "Sycamore Maple".

Comments and suggestions regarding the trail(s) should be directed to Harry Mutter (ext. 3703), REWHC Trail Steward. Those wishing to learn more about our volunteer employee group should contact Bethany Tracy (ext. 4321), REWHC Chairperson or visit our fabulous web site, http://REWHC.org.