News and Events

We will meet at the Forest Home Chapel at 7:30 pm on Tuesday October 22.  The agenda will include:

Conservation Challenges for Forest Home’s Forests.

We will be joined by Todd Bittner, Director of Natural Areas at Cornell Botanic Gardens, to learn about local forest conservation threats and actions. The discussion will include information on local efforts to manage the urban deer population, as well as other emerging forest issues, such as the emerald ash borer and Japanese knotweed. Todd will include information on what home-owners can do on their own property.

Annual Meeting Business

Reports from the President and Treasurer.

[Update:  Reports available online at https://fhia.org/minutes/]

Election of Board for new FHIA year, which runs from Oct 1.

The Town of Ithaca Public Works has announced that Forest Home Drive between Judd Falls Road and McIntyre Place will be closed beginning September 30 for approximately two weeks to replace the guide-rail and for associated road/shoulder work. The road will be closed completely.

Emergency services have been notified that alternate routes must be taken.

The Town hopes to keep the footpath beside/below Forest Home Drive open while they work on the road.

Because of the uncertain weather forecast for the original date, the Forest Home Get-Together and BBQ has been moved to the rain date. It will be on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 3:00 pm in our Forest Home Park.

This year is significant because it commemorates the 225th year of Forest Home, which was founded in 1794. We will have a special cake and wholesome cupcakes for the children to decorate.

Join us for our annual Forest Home Get-Together and BBQ on Sat., Sept. 14 at 3:00 pm in our Forest Home Park. See the attached invitation for details. This year is significant because it commemorates the 225th year of Forest Home. which was founded in 1794. We will have a special cake and wholesome cupcakes for the children to decorate.

Come join us for a Community Meeting on our Forest Home Walkway on Wed. July 17 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM. We  want to give everyone the time to attend, so come anytime during that time slot. Jim Weber, Town of Ithaca Director of Public Works, and others will be there to facilitate this opportunity for insight and input regarding the improvement of the Forest Home Walkway. Jim says that he will not have any presentation material at this meeting, but he may have existing conditions maps. The meeting will start at the bottom of the path, next to the intersection of Forest Home Drive and Pleasant Grove Rd.

Learn about the mills and associated houses on the stretch of Fall Creek alongside The Byway.

Saturday, June 29, 11am.
Walk and Talk: The Byway.

Led by Bruce Brittain, sponsored by Historic Ithaca.

“The Byway is a former loop of Forest Home Drive along Fall Creek in the Town of Ithaca. This short stretch of road has the highest density of nineteenth century mill remnants and mill-era houses in Forest Home.”

Meet at the end of The Byway that is adjacent to the downstream bridge. No charge, but registration is encouraged.

See http://www.historicithaca.org/walk-and-talk/

Here is a map from 1866 showing Forest Home, then known as Free Hollow, with houses and mills.

Mulching is Child’s Play! Join your neighbors on Sat., June 8 at 9:00 AM in Forest Home Park for a tree cage weeding and mulching project. Bring work gloves and a small spade or digging tools if you have some, but we will also provide tools and a wheelbarrow. Refreshments will be available. Town of Ithaca has already delivered a load of clean mulch.  

Saturday June 15, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
That Old House Tour: Forest Home (sponsored by Historic Ithaca)

“Get an exclusive look inside beautiful homes & sites with this self-guided walking/driving/biking tour of selected interiors in Ithaca’s historic hamlet of Forest Home! Forest Home will be celebrating its 225th anniversary of settlement this year.”

On the day, tickets will be on sale from 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Forest Home Chapel, 224 Forest Home Drive, Ithaca, NY.

For more details see http://www.historicithaca.org/events/toht/

Saturday, June 29, 11am
Walk and Talk: The Byway
Led by Bruce Brittain, sponsored by Historic Ithaca.

“The Byway is a former loop of Forest Home Drive along Fall Creek in the Town of Ithaca. This short stretch of road has the highest density of nineteenth century mill remnants and mill-era houses in Forest Home.”

Meet at the end of The Byway that is adjacent to the downstream bridge. No charge, but registration is encouraged.