UPDATED: Cool Rumsey - Valencia resolution passes General Assembly

UPDATE - Senate OKs bill to preserve Hillside property in Richmond
And now the House has approved it too.

UPDATE: Rep. Larry Valencia's version of this bill passed the House yesterday. Larry noted that “Mr. de Coppet, who came from a big city and lived in a time when pollution was routine and unfettered, clearly understood the importance of preserving our natural resources. He knew the value his property provides the public as beautiful, unspoiled land, and we are so lucky that he ensured its preservation.”

STATE HOUSE – The Senate has approved a resolution sponsored by Sen. Catherine Cool Rumsey supporting the preservation of a 1,825-acre property in Richmond as a forest and wildlife reservation.

The land, located along Hillside Road and known as “Hillside,” was the property of the late Theakston de Coppet, who retired from a successful career as a stockbroker from New York in 1916 and settled in Richmond to take up farming. 

He had an interest in preservation and bought up the land around his property with the intention of preserving it in perpetuity through a trust he left in his will.

The land includes many remnants of nineteenth century rural industrial development including foundations for a water-powered stone mill, a woolen mill and a dye house, a cider mill, a dance hall and store and worker housing. 

It also contains a ¾-mile long section of the Beaver River, a major tributary to the Pawcatuck River. When he came to Richmond, he built a large home that still stands on Hillsdale Road, and became active in local affairs. He served as president of the Richmond Town Council for eight years, and became known for his philanthropy and conservation efforts.

In his will, de Coppet asked that after all heirs and life tenants of Hillside died, the property be transferred to the state as a forest and wildlife preservation, along with income from 8/40ths of a trust he left to provide for its upkeep. The last remaining heir and life tenant is now deceased.

The legislation (2014-S 2723) is a resolution supporting the preservation of the land in accordance with de Coppet’s will, and requesting that the Department of Environmental Management accept custody of the property for that purpose.

 “These pristine woodlands are an amazing gift to the state and to the people of Richmond, who will be happy to know that they will always stay just as beautiful and unspoiled as they are today,” said Senator Cool Rumsey (D-Dist. 34, Exeter, Charlestown, Hopkinton, Richmond, West Greenwich) “Mr. de Coppet was a man ahead of his time, who understood the value of preserving nature, history and beauty in our state.”