Grafton Land Trust — Our Properties and CRs

Quick Facts

Parcel Name: Martha Deering Wildlife Management

Address: Potter Hill Road

Size: 179.0 acres

Owner: Commonwealth of Mass.

Acquired: 1999

Conservation Restriction: No

Trails: Yes

Biking: Yes

Horseback Riding: Yes

Canoe Launch: No

Hunting: Yes

Fishing: No

Camping: Yes

Swimming: No

Directions

Martha Deering Wildlife Management Area is a 179 acre parcel of land owned by the state which includes land in both Grafton and Millbury. It includes wooded wetlands and intermittent streams which feed Cronin Brook located to the south. (mass-trails page)

Video (Ken Webb) of Red Fox.

History

According to the Millbury Historical Society and her obituary at the Rice Funeral Home, Martha B. Deering was the daughter of Georgia and Charles Deering, owners of the Ivy Corset Company. Rumor has it that President Theodore Roosevelt stayed at the estate at one point as a guest of her parents (not confirmed).

Martha B. Deering Deering is recalled as an wealthy eccentric who was rarely seen around town. She was born in New York City, daughter of Charles M. and Georgia E. (Heintzellman) Deering, and lived here 70 years. She graduated from the Bancroft School in Worcester and Miss Ely's School in Greenwich, Conn.

Miss Deering was a member of the Worcester Memorial Hospital Aid Society, and a volunteer for many years in the hospital gift shop. She was a member of the Grafton Historical Society.

However, when she died in 1996 at the age of ninety-three, 155 acres of her estate off Riverlin Street were turned over to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for hunting, fishing, and passive recreation, a far better legacy for Millbury’s Mysterious Martha.

[ Note: MA Fish & Wildlife lists the property at 179 acres now. ]


		Martha Deering Wildlife Management
Open Spaces Our Properties Other Grafton Open Spaces Trail Maps Hiking Hunting Mountain Biking Horseback Riding		Property Overview Ecology Maps & Trails Quick Facts Parcel Name: Martha Deering Wildlife Management Address: Potter Hill Road Size: 179.0 acres Owner: Commonwealth of Mass. Acquired: 1999 Conservation Restriction: No Trails: Yes Biking: Yes Horseback Riding: Yes Canoe Launch: No Hunting: Yes Fishing: No Camping: Yes Swimming: No Directions Martha Deering Wildlife Management Area is a 179 acre parcel of land owned by the state which includes land in both Grafton and Millbury. It includes wooded wetlands and intermittent streams which feed Cronin Brook located to the south. (mass-trails page) Video (Ken Webb) of Red Fox. History According to the Millbury Historical Society and her obituary at the Rice Funeral Home, Martha B. Deering was the daughter of Georgia and Charles Deering, owners of the Ivy Corset Company. Rumor has it that President Theodore Roosevelt stayed at the estate at one point as a guest of her parents (not confirmed). Deering is recalled as an wealthy eccentric who was rarely seen around town. She was born in New York City, daughter of Charles M. and Georgia E. (Heintzellman) Deering, and lived here 70 years. She graduated from the Bancroft School in Worcester and Miss Ely's School in Greenwich, Conn. Miss Deering was a member of the Worcester Memorial Hospital Aid Society, and a volunteer for many years in the hospital gift shop. She was a member of the Grafton Historical Society. However, when she died in 1996 at the age of ninety-three, 155 acres of her estate off Riverlin Street were turned over to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for hunting, fishing, and passive recreation, a far better legacy for Millbury’s Mysterious Martha. [ Note: MA Fish & Wildlife lists the property at 179 acres now. ]