Wyndham Land Trust Receives $50,000 Matching Grant for Hillandale Woods Campaign
The Wyndham Land Trust announced that a generous donor will match all donations to its Campaign for Hillandale Woods up to $50,000 until September 30th.
The land trust gratefully acknowledges this commitment of support from Keith and Elaine Knowlton of Brooklyn, whose generosity is a testament to their belief in land conservation in northeastern Connecticut where they have lived for 41 years.
The Knowltons were long time patrons of the Golden Lamb Buttery, the celebrated restaurant at the center of Hillandale Farm, and close friends of proprietors Bob and Jimmie Booth. They have fond memories of the Booths and were excited when they heard about the Wyndham Land Trust’s recent fundraising drive to protect Hillandale Woods. They were prompted to take extraordinary action to help the fundraising drive reach its goal.
“Bob usually referred to us as ‘his best customers’ at the Golden Lamb,” said Keith. “To have so much of their treasured land still unspoiled after 80 years is almost a miracle. The opportunity for Wyndham Land Trust to acquire such a large parcel is not to be missed. To help get the Hillandale Woods program going, Elaine and I will donate $50,000 in the form of a matching funds gift.”
Residents of Brooklyn and history minded people beyond, know the Knowltons as the curators and dedicated caretakers of the Brooklyn Historical Society Museum in the village center behind the Israel Putnam memorial. An expert instinct for historical value led them back to Hillandale Farm when they learned that some items from the farm were being offered for sale. The newest exhibit at the Museum, The Story of Hillandale Handweavers, is
the result of their quick thinking and keen eye.
Hillandale Handweavers was the hobby business of Bob Booth’s father Henry, who had worked as a textile industry leader in New York City. Eight hand-operated looms produced lovely tweed fabrics and made-to-order clothing that drew day trippers from afar. When the Booth’s realized their customers needed a place to get lunch, the Golden Lamb Buttery was born.
“Keith and I were particularly pleased to obtain a PhotoMetriC camera for the exhibit, as to the best of our knowledge the only other one is in the Smithsonian,” adds Elaine. “This unique camera that Henry Booth developed with the help of engineers at Kodak made possible Henry’s ingenious system of using photography to produce truly accurate measurements for custom clothing.”
Anyone interested in fashion, art and design, technology, fiber arts, and material culture, not to mention local history, would enjoy a visit to the exhibit. In addition to the PhotoMetriC camera is a thick sample book of Hillandale tweeds in a vast array of lush colors still looking bright today. You can learn much more about Hillandale Handweavers by visiting the museum at 25 Canterbury Rd, Brooklyn, CT. It is open for the season
Wednesdays and Sundays, from 1 to 5 p.m., through Sunday, October 13th. There is no admission charge.
Tweed customers and Golden Lamb diners, like the Knowltons, for many years enjoyed not just the hospitality at Hillandale, but the idyllic beauty of the pastoral eastern Connecticut countryside. Their generous support will be foundational in allowing others to enjoy this beauty in perpetuity.
The gift from the Knowltons means that any donations to the Land Trust’s Campaign for Hillandale Woods will be doubled, up to the $50,000 limit. You can donate to the drive and take advantage of the matching funds by mailing a check to PO Box 302 Pomfret Center, CT 06259 with ‘Hillandale Woods’ on the memo line. Alternatively, you can donate online with a credit card through our secure donation by visiting
www.wyndhamlandtrust.org and clicking on the “Give to the Campaign” button on the home page.
To receive matching funds, donations must be received before September 30, 2024.
The Wyndham Land Trust is a 501(c)3 charitable organization whose mission is to preserve natural habitats in Windham County, CT. Upon acquisition, Hillandale Woods trails will be open to the public for the passive enjoyment of nature.
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