At the end of May, Lancaster Conservancy celebrated the dedication of the Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam Nature Preserve with Ingrid Graham and her family during the For Nature, Forever event at the preserve. The preserve was donated to the Conservancy by the Graham family, who acquired the property tract by tract and lovingly restored the historic structures. It was named in honor of Ingrid Graham, whose vision led to the development of what is a cultural, historic, and conservation site.
Ingrid Graham and Conservancy Board Chair Eric Nordstrom celebrate the "passing of the key" to Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam Nature Preserve (Photo by Nick Gould)
Graham family members at For Nature, Forever (Photo by Nick Gould)The property includes floodplain forest, meadow, a section of Kreutz Creek, and agricultural land. The preserve also contains several historic structures including a renovated 19th century bank barn and farmhouse and a restored 18th century log house.
Kreutz Creek at Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam Nature Preserve (Photo by Anne Harnish)
Restored log house in the foreground, with the spring house in the background (Photo by Nick Gould)“It was wonderful to gather on this beautiful historic preserve with the Graham family and our dearest friends to celebrate Ingrid Graham for her vision and hard work,” said Lancaster Conservancy President & CEO Fritz Schroeder. “We look forward to carrying her vision forward with a York County education and engagement hub that celebrates history, art, and nature.”
In addition to serving as a future public nature preserve readily accessible to the residents of Hallam Borough and Hellam Township, the Graham nature preserve will serve as the Conservancy’s engagement and education center in York County. This preserve features key infrastructure such as parking, shelter for inclement weather, and restroom facilities, which are needed to easily and safely welcome groups of students and learners of all ages. While hands-on conservation education is the focus of the Conservancy’s education program, the Conservancy’s educators also anticipate using the historic structures as a gateway to examine the natural history of the region and the dynamic and interconnected relationship between the land and people over the course of time including present day.
The Conservancy is in the process of developing a management plan for the preserve that focuses on its unique historic, natural, and cultural resources. The preserve remains closed to general visitation during this planning process, although it is open for select education events.
Join as at the Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam Nature Preserve for one of these upcoming events:
- Butterfly Count at Graham Nature Preserve on Saturday, July 26
- Moth Lighting at Graham Nature Preserve on Friday, August 8
- Volunteer Workday at Graham Nature Preserve on Saturday, August 9
- Nature Journaling: Structures on Sunday, August 10
