photo: Tom Holzel

In 1917, Edith Morton Chase received a gift from her father, 16 acres of pristine woods in the Litchfield hills.  Today, Topsmead is a 510 acre state forest, gifted from Ms. Chase in 1972 to the citizens of Connecticut to enjoy and preserve. Her legacy includes diverse landscapes, including bike and nature trails, formal gardens, unique bird habitats, and a meticulously crafted English Tudor style cottage well appointed with her international collection of art and antiques. ​...more

Our Mission

Friends of Topsmead State Forest  (FTSF) is a volunteer non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to work with the State of Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) to provide programs and activities to promote, preserve, protect, and maintain the history, heritage and environmental integrity of Topsmead, thereby supporting the wishes of Edith Morton Chase as put forth in her will.

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Bobolink by Steve Grant
Bobolink by Steve Grant
by Margaret Hunt
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Have you noticed? Tropical Storm Isaias has come and gone. For many, power has gone and come back again. Cleaning up the Topsmead property, DEEP has once again worked its magic, whisking away the many broken tree trunks and downed tree boughs and chipping the debris. Have you noticed their work on pruning the tree trunks and “weeding” the stone walls along Chase Road? Topsmead is looking so well manicured. Miss Edith would be proud!...more

 Happenings at Topsmead 
Learn more ways to enjoy Topsmead by visiting us on Facebook! 
Topsmead State Forest FACEBOOK connection 
Another way to support Topsmead: If you shop through Amazon Smile, choose  "Friends of Topsmead State Forest" as your favorite charity and FTSF will receive a percentage of every sale!​
​​www.amazon.smile.com