Goldsmith Woodlands

Andover Village Improvement Society

Size:            142 acres
Parking:       Parking for several cars off South Main Street (Rte. 28) near Gould Rd.
Handicapped use:    Main trail from Rte. 28 toward pond is passable by wheelchairs.

History

An 1830 map shows the Goldsmith family in possession of the woodlands.

During the early 20th century, Goldsmith Woodlands were a favorite summer retreat.  Bessie Goldsmith collected rent from those who had cottages on her land.  Cellar holes and swing hinges on trees are still visible.

One of these cottages belonged to Zack, a caretaker of these woods and a handyman for the summer residents.  His name lives on in the designation of Zack's way, Zack's house and Zack's hop pit, a large cellar hole on the hill overlooking the pond.

In 1974, Bessie Goldsmith, a dedicated conservationist, donated her woodlands and land inherited from her brother Clarence to the Fund for the Preservation of Wildlife and Natural Areas.  AVIS became the caretakers in 1977 with funds given for maintenance out of Bessie's trust.

Stories about Bessie Goldsmith's somewhat eccentric behavior in her devotion to protecting her woodlands are legendary.  She lived in a rustic cabin on a knoll overlooking Foster's Pond.  She was known to point her shotgun at trespassers and if she caught people picking blueberries, she demanded they turn the full pail over to her.

Natural features

Some of the trees, rhododendrons and laurels growing along the roadway in Goldsmith Woodlands were planted by Bessie Goldsmith herself.  Note the avenues of white pines, so dense that few plants can grow beneath them.  The yellow lady slippers are in bloom here in late spring.  Other plants rarely seen are visited by Harvard University botanists.  The marshes adjacent to the pond are home to cattails, loosestrife, pitcher plants and blue herons.

-- adapted from The Bay Circuit and AVIS Guide to Walks in Andover (1992)