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“Before the earth beneath our feet was called Rolling Ridge… generations of Pennacook people, an Algonquian-speaking tribe of the Wabanaki Confederacy, belonged to this land and considered it their home.”
So begins our Land Acknowledgement. Rolling Ridge is committed to retelling our story honestly, and working toward a community made whole. We invite you to read our full Land Acknowledgement below.
At Rolling Ridge, we are learning to shift the way we share our history, to better honor the indigenous peoples who originally inhabited the land. For decades, our story began with the wealthy New York wool merchant named Ethan Allen, purchasing 38 acres along Lake Cochichewick in 1899, to build his summer home. To tell the truth, however, means acknowledging that before European settlers arrived, the land called Rolling Ridge belonged to the Pennacook people, an Algonquian-speaking tribe of the Wabanaki Confederacy, for countless generations.
Our board and staff have spent time learning the history of the land we inhabit. In 2021, we reached out to local historical organizations and tribal leaders, eventually connecting with leaders of the Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook-Abenaki People, who confirmed the Pennacook's ancestral ties to the land now called North Andover. The Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook-Abenaki People identify as the indigenous and aboriginal First Nations People of N'dakinna—the united Pennacook and Abenaki People of the greater Abenaki Nation of the Wabanaki Confederation. N'dakinna includes areas of what is now the Canadian province of Quebec, as well as the American states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, and Massachusetts. The town of North Andover, where the Ridge is located today, is in the southern part of their sovereign homeland.
In the fall of 2021, Paul and Denise Pouliot, chief speakers of the Cowasuck, gave an online presentation about New England's indigenous history to the Rolling Ridge community, beginning their partnership. Over the next year, we worked with the Pouliots, the Rolling Ridge board, and staff to craft an official Land Acknowledgment. Based on the Pennacook-Abenaki practice of naming by community consensus, we decided to rename the small island off the peninsula "Menahaniz," meaning "little island" in Algonquian.
On September 24, 2022, Rolling Ridge's Land Acknowledgement was officially formalized, recognizing the area's indigenous inhabitants and the injustice they endured. The Pouliots spoke about the Pennacook's relationship to the land. We promised to tell our story more honestly and to begin the work of making substantive change. We believe that a Land Acknowledgement is not a one-time act to alleviate guilt, but the first step in a long-term commitment of education, advocacy, and partnership with the native people.
While European colonizers later took ownership of the land, Rolling Ridge now embraces its inherited legacy to broaden its environmental education and honor the area's indigenous intersections. In 2023, we hired staff with Abanaki heritage, to help educate, inspire, and transform our work on these thirty-eight acres, and our connection with the earth. The Rolling Ridge Land Acknowledgment marks the first step in an ongoing commitment to education, advocacy, and partnership with Native communities connected to the sacred land they call home.
The name “Rolling Ridge,” as well as the original vision for the house, gardens, and grounds begins with Ethan Allen, a wealthy New York wool merchant. In 1899, Allen purchased our 38-acre peninsula along Lake Cochichewick with the dream of creating a lavish summer estate for himself and his family.
Allen was deliberate in bringing his plan to fruition, even though construction did not begin for another fifteen years. In 1915, he hired an emerging landscape architect Fletcher Steele to thoughtfully lay out the entire grounds first, taking advantage of the gently rolling terrain, mature trees, and vistas overlooking the lake. Steele's designs oriented the gardens, lawns, mansion, and garage in seamless relation to maximize the property's natural beauty. Allen wanted to walk out onto fully formed grounds the day he moved in.
Tragically, Allen's first wife Alice Ransom Bigelow, whose North Andover roots and family ties likely inspired their interest in the area, passed away in 1913, before their shared vision could be realized. We believe Allen built Rolling Ridge as a tribute to Alice after her passing at age 47, filling it with gardens, rhododendrons, and design elements she would have loved.
Though landscape work began earlier under Steele's direction, construction on the grand estate didn't commence until 1919, and was largely completed by 1923. While little is known of those early years, by 1928 the property had been sold to Russell Tyson, a Harvard graduate and Chicago businessman. Tyson retained Steele as an advisor to maintain the landmark grounds.
The timeless beauty of Steele's designs was validated in 1935 when Rolling Ridge received the prestigious Hunnewell Medal from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. We aspire to carry forward the celebrated landscape originally conceived by Allen and brought to life through Steele's genius over a century ago.
Ethan and Alice are buried together in North Andover, and we imagine them walking these grounds they loved so dearly. While mysteries remain about the Allens' story, we know Rolling Ridge arose from profound passion—for this land, for masterful design, and for a quiet place of natural beauty. Each time you visit, you experience the lasting imprint of their devotion along the shores of Lake Cochichewick.
On a pastoral visit to the caretaker of Rolling Ridge, Rev. Ralph York, pastor of North Andover Methodist Church, learned that the charming 38-acre estate of "Rolling Ridge" was for sale. York soon realized that the site would be perfect for the ministry needs of the Board of Education for Methodists in New England.
Hearing York's dream of an Annual Conference Center for the Methodist Church, the Bishop John Wesley Lord visited the property. Though he thought it "a bit ambitious," he discovered interest and appointed an investigation committee to conduct a feasibility study to purchase the property for the Methodist Church.
Negotiations with the owner Russell Tyson initially proved difficult. Tyson was an 80-year-old successful real estate broker from Chicago who had owned the property for 20 years. His original $75,000 asking price was much higher than the $60,000 the Conference had hoped to pay based on an earlier discussed possibility. However, Rev. Howell Estey had the idea of naming the living room "Tyson Hall" in exchange for Tyson lowering the price to $50,000, which he agreed to along with letting the Methodists keep some furniture and equipment.
With approval from the New England Conference in June 1948, the Rolling Ridge Commission was formed to purchase and operate the estate without financial burden to the Conference itself. Fundraising began quickly, with churches, youth groups, women's groups and many individuals contributing. The $12,500 down payment was made, with a $37,500 mortgage at 4% interest.
On October 2, 1948, over 1,000 gathered as Bishop Lord consecrated Rolling Ridge as a Methodist Retreat Center, calling it a "Venture in Faith." Renovations immediately began to convert the private residence into a conference facility, especially for youth. The garage/guesthouse was renovated into meeting spaces and a boys' dormitory thanks to the Horace Moses Foundation gift—the origin of the name “Moses Hall,” which is still in use today.
The first youth institutes were held in the summer of 1949. Over the next decade, buildings were expanded and added like the 1954 dining room named for donor Theresa Beveridge, the 1956 new pool, and the 1960 director's home. Generations of young people came to the Ridge for Winter Institutes and summer youth programming. Countless lives were changed through those camps, as many young people found a new spiritual center and a place to belong. During this time, Rolling Ridge was also the site of adult spiritual events sponsored by the New England Conference. During the 1960s, the Ecumenical Institute of Chicago used Rolling Ridge as a teaching center.
To refocus the direction of the Ridge, Rev. Frank Kooker was hired by the Conference Commission of Education to oversee programming as Director of Camps and Conferences, with Rev. David Hollenbeck as resident manager. In 1976, the two functions of program director and facilities manager merged under the leadership of Rev. Jim Todd who continued the tradition of youth summer programming at the Ridge, a legacy continued by volunteer and paid staff into the early 2000s.
In response to a growing need for adult spirituality programming, the United Methodist Church of New England transitioned Rolling Ridge's primary focus from a youth facility to an adult retreat center. This pivotal decision marked the beginning of a transformative journey for Rolling Ridge.
Starting in the early 2000s, Rev. Larry J. Peacock spearheaded a decade-long renovation and revitalization project at Rolling Ridge. During this time, our Board and staff focused their efforts on upgrading our facilities and retrofitting our program offerings to better serve the needs of adult participants. With this emphasis, Rolling Ridge began to take shape as a dedicated center for those seeking spiritual renewal and personal growth. Rev. Peacock launched several significant programs during this period: our Day Apart retreats and the Gateways to God initiative. Day Apart events offer participants the opportunity to explore various aspects of Christian spirituality, contemplation, and personal well-being through one-day retreats. Gateways to God is now our flagship program aimed at training Spiritual Directors and deep listeners over the course of two years, equipping them to guide others on their spiritual journeys.
Building on this foundation, Rev. Dr. Lawrence Jay took the helm at Rolling Ridge in 2017. With his leadership, Rolling Ridge entered a new chapter of ministry and mission. One of the key elements of Rolling Ridge's programming is our Voices and Stories series. This series addresses issues of cultural and theological significance, creating a platform for dialogue and understanding. By bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, Voices and Stories builds bridges of understanding and helps forge a path toward greater justice, inclusion, and diversity within the church and the broader world.
The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges. Rolling Ridge adapted by transitioning our programming online, leading to the creation of our "Rolling Ridge Online" ministry, which continues to thrive today. Through this platform, SoulCare groups gather regularly for empathetic listening, shared support, and a chance to be still in a chaotic world. Additionally, Rolling Ridge hosts book groups on a variety of topics and authors, especially the work of Richard Rohr, and many retreats are now available in a hybrid format, blending in-person and online participation.
Beyond our retreat programming, Rolling Ridge has expanded as a conference center, offering a peaceful and restful setting for various groups seeking space for their events. Our dedicated Guest Services team works closely with churches, schools, nonprofits, and corporate groups to provide tailored experiences for both day and overnight stays. Individuals can also book private retreats, enjoying personalized stays that include room accommodations, meals, and wellness packages. Our retreat packages offer a unique opportunity for reflection, renewal, learning, and connection in a beautiful and historic setting.
Rolling Ridge continues to evolve and grow, steadfast in our commitment to fostering spiritual growth, personal well-being, and community connection in the Christian contemplative tradition. With a rich history of transformation and vision for the future, we remain a place where individuals and groups can find rest, renewal, and a deeper connection with nature, other people, and the transformative love of God.
Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center
660 Great Pond Road
North Andover, MA, 01845
thestaff@rollingridge.org
Phone: (978) 682-8815
Fax: (978) 681-1162
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