By Robert Blechl, Caledonian Record
BETHLEHEM — On Monday, U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-NH, paid a visit to two Bethlehem establishments, both of which have celebrated milestones.
After a fire a half decade ago destroyed the operations center of The Rocks Estate, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, making an $6.5 million capital improvements investment, recently completed major renovations on Forest Society North, the converted Carriage Barn that now serves as SPNHF’s northern New Hampshire headquarters.
And after being named in January a semi-finalist for the 2024 James Beard award, which recognizes the top chefs and restaurants across the nation, Super Secret Ice Cream, which in July celebrates two years in Bethlehem, has captured the national spotlight.
After the February 2019 fire at The Rocks Estate, the Forest Society was uncertain of what the future would hold, but made the decision to do something on the property, which it has owned since 1978.
“After the fire, we lost everything,” Jack Savage, president of the Forest Society, told Hassan.
Not long afterward, renovation of the Carriage Barn was eyed and plans drawn up.
The fire that destroyed the operations center called the Tool Barn opened up mountain views to the east that are now incorporated into SPNHF’s overall vision for its northern campus.
Using the granite foundation blocks from the Tool Building, the Forest Society built an amphitheater on the site that will be used for outside classrooms and events.
The renovated Carriage Barn features two stories and what Hassan called “good meeting space.”
Savage said there is still work to do as the Forest Society explores its full potential.
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