The Horatio Colony Nature Preserve: A 415 acre Nature Preserve with 3 ½ miles of hiking trails accessing unspoiled acres of woodlands, streams, and upland swamps. Offering exhibits, tours, lectures, and special programs about the history of the Colony family and the social and natural history of the area.

The city of Keene, New Hampshire is located in the Ashuelot River valley and is surrounded by seven hills. This natural geography was perfect for the blossoming textile industry in the early 1800's.

Up to that point, most of New England survived on agriculture. Flat land was the easiest to cultivate in crops but the steep, rocky hills surrounding Keene were impossible to plow. However, they provided perfect grazing for sheep and sheep provided the raw material for the manufacture of woolen cloth. The Ashuelot River provided the waterpower to run the machinery of the new industrial revolution and thus the mill industry was introduced and flourished in Keene.

Later in the 19th century, although wool continued to be produced, quantities were cut back due to the introduction of synthetic fabrics and sheep farms began to disappear.

The story of the Horatio Colony Nature Preserve began in 1892 when Horatio's grandfather and namesake bought the Pisgah Farm, 132 acres of abandoned sheep pasture atop West Hill In Keene, New Hampshire.

The Colony family soon built Tip-Top House on top of the north slope - a summer cabin where they spent many a Sunday afternoon enjoying the solitude and the expansive view of Keene. Horatio the elder enjoyed the property so much that he added to it: between 1892 and 1925 he purchased nine more lots, piecing together what today comprises the Preserve.

Horatio Colony the younger inherited the West Hill holding. Having a great respect for New England woods and wildlife, he allowed the forest to regenerate naturally. The cabin, which he built in 1938 to provide peace and solitude for his writing endeavors, still stands at the side of the entry trail to the preserve. This haven in the woods he had grown to love, provided inspiration for Horatio throughout his life.

His desire to save this unique ecological resource led him to set aside his land as a wildlife sanctuary and nature study, to be used for education and research purposed in perpetuity.

Today, Antioch of New England's' intern program maintains three and one half miles of hiking trails, offers educational programs and guided hikes, and conducts environmental monitoring. A printed trail guide and plant study pamphlet, both available to the public, are also products of the internship program.