My tour of Brookline brought me several pleasant surprises. As I drove down roads I have driven many times before, I took the time to really take in my surroundings. One of the first things I noticed was a sign which read “Andres Institute of Art and Sculpture Park 1 1/2 miles – left” I’ve been to several sculpture parks and I think the older I get, the more I appreciate the artistry. I stopped at the kiosk and checked out the trail map…
I read some of the other information on the kiosk. The park contains 405 acres and 72 works of art. The 13 hiking trails range from easy to difficult. There is also a mountain bike path and a snowmobile trail. I chose a trail and headed out. The first sculpture I saw was Entrance Gate (Dreamcatcher), an amazing work of steel…
My intention was to hike the Quarry Trail, despite the fact it was marked as difficult. The sculpture at the trail head is named My Father & I (Gate of My Faith)…
I was glad I had put on my Muck boots as the melting snow made rivers of the trail…
It was a fairly steady uphill walk and I when I turned the bend in the trail, I found it was about to get even steeper…
This image doesn’t really do justice to the steepness of the trail
The first sculpture I saw was actually on another trail. The Parkway Trail is the main road that leads to the studio. It was easy to cut through and check it out…
The Boat
I decided to stay on the Parkway Trail, the walking was easier and there was a lot less mud!
I did detour to the Halfway Trail to find (E)motions…
The granite ledge was covered in a neat lichen…
Further up the trail I saw Souls of Peace. The details are incredible…
I knew I didn’t enough time to complete the trail so I decided to head back to the parking area. Along the way I found Debate. This was probably the most captivating work of art I had seen yet. I spent quite a while looking at the 3 pieces that comprise this sculpture…
I can’t even begin to imagine all of the work that had to go into this and I can’t quite explain why I found it so fascinating. As I headed back to the jeep, I saw several silhouettes lining the trail Ambush I. They certainly live up to their name…
You can be sure when the weather warms up a bit and some of mud dissipates, I’ll be back to check out some of the other trails! My next pleasant surprise was something you don’t generally associate with inland towns…
Right next to the park, there are 2 covered bridges….
From the inside looking out
A small footbridge
In the parking area near the larger bridge, I saw one of the biggest tree I have seen in quite a while. I placed a 12 ounce bottle on the burl of this mighty oak to show just how immense this tree is…
I made one final stop in Brookline, at the Old Smithy Shop…
I met Franklin Horsley, owner and master blacksmith…
He was quite happy to take some time and chat with me about his work. Hopefully next time I visit, he will have the forge hot and be working on another fine piece of history
To learn more about Brookline, visit the town’s website or the state’s website.
Thanks for coming along, see you next week! Check out TouringNH on Facebook to get hints about where I will be next week!
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Touring NH 
Who knew there was so much to see in Brookline! Love the sculpture park, your photos just keep getting better!
I can’t wait for warmer weather and drier paths so we can go see the rest of the park!
I had to Google the town to find out where it was because I’ve never been there. It looks like quite a drive but seeing the sculptures would make it worth while. I want to go out and buy a welder now!
The lichen is called rock tripe (Umbilicaria mammulata).
I think you would love Brookline! It is about 30 minutes from where you live and the sculpture park is worth the trip!
I must have misread the map. It looked like it was way over on the other side of Mason.
It is, but it only takes about 20 minutes to get through Mason on Rt 123
Pickety Place always seemed like a long drive and that was when we lived in Dublin.
Laura, I just love the Dreamcatcher, but the Debate really captured my attention. Wow – what creatures! It reminds me of “Alien vs. Predator.” 🙂 Thanks for hiking through the mud to bring us these cool images. ~Terri
No problem Terri! I can’t wait to go back and check out some of the other sculptures (after mud season) Isn’t Debate cool – what imagination and talent the artist has!
What a wonderful place. I love trail with sculptures. The Debate ones are brilliant. Things made out of other things always take my fancy and make me want to make something.
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I also really loved Debate. The details are amazing, such a talented artist! I can’t wait for warmer weather so I can go back and see more!