The restoration was completed in 2021 thanks to a multi-year grant from the Edward and Mary Lord Foundation.
Mystic, CT (March 23, 2022) — The Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center has completed the restoration of the Stillman Foundation atop its Coogan Farm property in Mystic, and plans to make the structure an integral part of the area’s history are moving forward.
The restoration was completed at the end of 2021 thanks to a multi-year grant from the Edward and Mary Lord Foundation. The two-pronged project funded by the grant involved first the physical restoration and secondly the development of the foundation as an educational space.
The restoration involved:
● Clearing trees and invasive plants
● Stabilizing walls and features
● Creating the gathering/educational space
The second prong includes:
● Make a safe gathering space for tours/lectures/events
● Maximize public access
● Prevent degradation of foundation
The contractors who cleared the trees and leveled and graded the stone floor were Ron Swaney from Commercial Construction. The masons who reconstructed the walls were Harald and Thaler Hefel of Hefel Masonry. Nature Center volunteers helped remove brush and poison ivy.
Next steps, historical reconstruction
Hand in hand with the restoration work has been investigation into the history of the Stillman parcel and its significance within both Coogan Farm and this area of the Mystic River. Staff at the Nature Center
