Our mission is to maintain a fun, recreational destination for your entire family to enjoy, while preserving history and nature for the community.
1616 Mapleton Avenue Suffield, CT 06078
Call us: (860) 758-0668
Mail Support: info@fofah.org
Mon - Sun: 8.00am - 9.00pm
How Hilltop Farm Was
An Eagle VS Suburban Sprawl
How An Eagle Saved Hilltop Farm
The preservation story of the historic Hilltop Farm in Suffield, CT, has an unexpected hero: the American Bald Eagle. While not a single, dramatic rescue by a lone eagle, the presence and consistent nesting of these magnificent birds have played a crucial, symbolic, and legal role in the farm's preservation and ongoing revitalization as a community and nature resource.
Hilltop Farm, once a sprawling dairy farm founded by Indian Motorcycle co-founder George Hendee, faced an uncertain future after being idle for a decade. In 2004, the all-volunteer non-profit organization, The Friends of the Farm at Hilltop (FOFAH), began managing the property with a mission to preserve its rich history and natural beauty.
The discovery of an active bald eagle nesting site on the property provided powerful momentum for these efforts. The eagle's nest became a poignant symbol of the farm's ecological value and the broader success of bald eagle conservation in Connecticut.
The presence of a protected species like the bald eagle had tangible impacts on the farm's future. To protect the nesting eagles and their chicks, specific areas of the farm are subject to legal restrictions, with hiking prohibited in front of the nest during the critical nesting season (February to mid-July). These regulations, enforced in collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), underscore the importance of maintaining the natural habitat.
The eagles have galvanized community support. FOFAH leveraged this local enthusiasm by creating a "National Park Viewing Scope" on the wetlands bridge, allowing visitors to observe the eagle family and other wildlife from a safe distance. The organization also holds an annual "Bald Eagle Golf Outing" as a major fundraiser, with proceeds dedicated to the farm's structural improvements and educational mission.
Driven by this support, FOFAH has made significant strides in restoring the historic landmark, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. The Friends purchased the core farmstead in 2013 and have managed over $950,000 in grants and donations to repair barns, install fire safety measures, and create an educational center.
The eagles serve as a living testament to the success of these ongoing efforts. While construction crews have occasionally rescued individual injured eagles nearby (such as a female eagle found with puncture wounds in 2017), it is the sustained presence of the nesting pair that highlights the farm's transformation from neglect to a thriving nature preserve.
Today, Hilltop Farm stands as a premier example of conservation, offering a glimpse into Connecticut's agricultural history and a vital habitat for its national bird, all thanks to a community united by a shared vision and a little help from a high-soaring emblem of American wildlife. Visitors can enjoy ice cream and scenic views, contributing to a legacy of preservation.
