About Questing |
438 acres |
Visit a landscape of returning forest and wetlands, and remnant cellar holes and stone walls that recall a long-abandoned settlement dating to early Colonial times.
What makes Questing a special place?
Located on the flanks of Leffingwell Hill, Questing features 438 acres of transitional hardwood forest, pockets of wetlands, small streams, and vernal pools.
From the parking area, an old woods road follows a pretty stream for about 1/3 mi. to an open field. This 17-acre upland field of native wildflowers attracts several species of dragonflies and butterflies. Mowed paths follow the edge of the field and connect to a forest loop trail that leads through the woods for about 2/3 mi. around the perimeter of Leffingwell Hill. Look for cellar holes and stone walls, many fascinating in their construction, that tell the story of the 200-year-old settlement known as Leffingwell, where the first non-Native American children were born in Berkshire County. This settlement was abandoned in the late 19th century as farmers migrated to the Midwest.
Trails
2 miles of moderate hiking
When to Visit
Open year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of 1½ hours.
Regulations & Advisories
- To avoid disturbing fragile historical features and ecological communities, please stay on the marked and mowed trails.
- Seasonal hunting is permitted at this property subject to all state and town laws. Trustees permit is required. Please call 413.298.3239 x3020 for permit information. Wear bright colors when hiking in the November to December deer hunting season; avoid wearing or carrying anything that is white. Learn more about hunting on Trustees properties.
- Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.
- Mountain biking is not allowed on the property.
Directions
New Marlborough Hill Road
New Marlborough, MA 01230
Telephone: 413.298.3239
E-mail: westregion@ttor.org
Latitude: 42.1289
Longitude: -73.2508
Get directions on Google Maps.
From intersection of Rts. 23 and 57 in Monterey, take Rt. 57 East for 5 mi. Turn right onto New Marlborough Hill Rd. and follow for 0.6 mi. to entrance and parking (8 cars) on left.
Admission
When to Visit
Open year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of 1 1/2 hours.
Admission
Free to all
Property History
For more than a half-century, this country retreat, named “Questing” by its owners, was the cherished summer home of Dr. Robert Lehman and, until her passing in 1978, his wife Jane.
Native Americans passed through and may have camped at the property. Stone walls and old wire fences indicate that early settlers cleared the property for agriculture, and an old foundation hints that a farmstead was located on the property. More recently, parts of Leffingwell Hill’s forest was cut for timber.
Robert Lehman was a noted pharmacologist and developer of important drugs for the treatment of heart failure, glaucoma, and other diseases. He was introduced to New Marlborough by his wife Jane, a lifelong resident. Devoted to country life, the Lehmans pursued their passionate hobbies in botany and photography. In explaining the name “Questing,” Freda and Sydney Schreiber, lifetime friends of the Lehmans, wrote: "The Lehmans’ quest was to restore to life the dormant, tumbledown farmhouse they purchased more than 50 years ago – which they did, personally, over many years." Part of the quest, also, was to purchase land surrounding the house, as it came available, to keep in the wild. After serious reflection, Robert Lehman chose The Trustees of Reservations to help him do that.
Property Acquisition History
Gift by bequest, with endowment, of Dr. Robert A. Lehman in 1996. Added to an earlier gift of land in 1992 from Richard W. Sellew.
Volunteer Opportunities
There are no volunteer positions at this reservation at this time; please check again later or click here to find other opportunities near you.
Work Parties
There are no work parties at this reservation at this time; please check again later or click here to find other work parties near you.
Maps and Resources
A printed trail map is available for free at the bulletin board in the parking area. Please understand that supplies sometimes run out. We recommend that you download a trail map before you visit.
Planning Your Visit
Before You Go
We encourage you to visit as many Trustees properties as you can.
Wherever your travels take you, please observe all posted regulations, follow special instructions from property staff, and keep in mind the Stewardship Code:
- Protect wildlife and plants.
- Guard against all risk of fire.
- Help keep air and water clean.
- Carry out what you carry in.
- Use marked footpaths and bridle paths.
- Leave livestock, crops, and machinery alone.
- Respect the privacy of neighboring land.
- Enjoy and share the landscape with others.
Click on links below for further visitor information:
Before Setting Out
Tell Us What You Think
We’d love to hear about your visit. Click here to take our visitor survey. If you have a question for us about this reservation, you can use this form to send it to us, too.
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Announcements & Alerts
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Upcoming Things To Do
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