Have you ever heard of a fairy fort? If you've ever studied Irish history, then this is one aspect of local belief you've surely encountered. These ruins and earthen mounds have been largely reclaimed and hidden by the earth, but legend maintains that they are actually sacred ancient places where our world meets the realm of the fae. Disturbing one would lead to bad luck or even death — but, of course, that's just local lore. New Hampshire castle ruins aren't quite as old as those in Europe, so nature hasn't had quite as much time to reclaim them. Nonetheless, New England meets Old World flair in one fairytale forest hiding fantastic ruins. Grab your camera, because this place is almost too enchanting for words.
Lace up your hiking boots, because we're about to set out to visit New Hampshire's very own fairy tale forest.
Tucked away on the slope of Wantastiquet Mountain is a lovely landscape that's calling your name. It features lovely trails and a pond that's a haven for local fauna.
Madame Sherri Forest, as impressive a name as any fairytale forest should have, features 513 acres of gorgeous landscape.
This massive chunk of land is a neighbor to the more famous Wantastiquet State Forest.
It also hides a castellated ruin that formerly housed New York fashion designer Madame Antoinette Sherri.
Madame Sherri was born in Paris, France in 1878. She was something of a rebel, marrying a fugitive using a fake name and embarking to the United States with him. Her husband went "blind and insane," according to the Chesterfield Historical Society, and was institutionalized. Sadly, he died shortly thereafter. In search of solace, Madame Sherri visited a friend here in Chesterfield and fell in love with the area.
The castle was built as a summer home in the 1920s, and it hosted parties that are still famous in local legend.
Madame Sherri's three-story party home was under construction almost as soon as she decided to live in the area. She used it almost exclusively for entertainment. Madame Sherri herself lived nearby in a modest farmhouse. And, believe it or not, this edifice invoked visions of ancient ruins even before it was a ruin itself.
However, we all know how the 1920s ended — and like the roaring decade, eventually Madame Sherri's money ran out.
Her destitution would not come until after the end of the Second World War.
The abandoned castle finally burnt down in 1962, leaving only a few skeletal columns, a fireplace, stairs, and exposed pieces of foundation in its wake.
Our hero, who has been living in poverty, returned to the site before its destruction and was crestfallen to find it vandalized. Madame Sherri, it seems, finally burnt out in 1965, having never escaped the grasp of poverty.
The land was donated to the New Hampshire Society for the Preservation of Forest in 1998, and the rest is history.
Ever since, locals and visitors alike have found themselves enchanted by this fantastic landscape.
One thing we're not particularly known for in New Hampshire is castle ruins, but we quietly have one of the most breathtaking sites in the nation. Have you ever visited this pretty spot? Tell us about your experience in the comments!
Craving more local history? Visit Odiorne Point State Park to check out the site of the state's first European settlement.
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