BARRINGTON - From a distance, the 12.3 wooded acres owned by Rhode Island Country Club look like any other forest. But venture inside, and Great Horned Owls roost. Wetlands give off a dank perfume. Underfoot, Native American graves may hold remains laid down as long as 3,500 years ago.

Given the site's unique nature, a recent proposal by Rhode Island Country Club members to sell it has sent three groups searching for a way to ensure its preservation. Should it be bought by a developer, they worry its cultural and ecological resources will be destroyed.

Amateur archaeologists from the Narragansett Archaeological Society excavate the Rhode Island Country Club site in 1992.

The conservation camp includes the Barrington Land Conservation Trust; the Pokanoket Tribe, whose ancestors likely lived on the land; and a loosely knit group of citizens called Friends of Echo Lake, formed to oppose any sale of the land. At the club's request, the groups have been meeting to discuss approaches to a sale that financial obligations may force the club to entertain. According to country club president Jacob Gaffey, the club is considering selling the land as one of several ways to raise money for much-needed infrastructure projects. The decision to sell isn't final, he said, but the club is looking into it.

Club officials recently sent letters to members telling them they are considering selling the land, which has been owned by the club since the early part of the century. It didn't take long for word to get out — and for alternatives to be spun.

Helen Tjader, president of the Barrington Land Conservation Trust, said her group is fully committed to preserving the area. But, she said, she also knows the country club has pressing fund-raising needs. One compromise could be an easement, in which a conservation group could buy development rights and act as steward for the site, but the country club would retain ownership. She said the trust would seek grants to fund such a purchase.

"I think that could offer an all around win-win situation. It could raise some money for the club and preserve the property for historical and environmental purposes," she said.

The Friends of Echo Lake — a loosely knit group of neighbors who live on Tallwood, Echo, and South Lake drives — also want to see the land protected from development. Members, some of whom belong to the country club, said they want to work with the club to raise money without sacrificing the land.

"There's so little open space left in Barrington. We'd like to see some remain," said member Bob Cooper.

For the Pokanoket Tribe, the area has special significance. The first burial sites in the area were discovered in 1920 and, in the early 1990s, the Narragansett Archaeological Society, a group of amateur archaeologists, conducted an extensive dig at the site, uncovering numerous stone artifacts, stone fire places and other ancient features some say are unique in all of New England.

Excavation stopped in 1995 when the state's Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission asked society president David Andreozzi and his team to defer to a professional effort. Since then, pits have been closed and resources have remained untouched and largely unseen.

Paul Weeden, council president of the Pokanoket Tribe, said he believes the site's offerings should be both preserved and shared with all Rhode Islanders. He said ideally, if the club is forced to sell the land, a multi-group trust should form to purchase it and assume stewardship. Its members could include the land trust, the Friends of Echo Lake and the Pokanokets.

"I feel very optimistic about the prospect of preserving the site that is so sensitive, archeology-wise as well as ecologically-wise. The people of Barrington, the Rhode Island Country Club, the Barrington Land Conservation Trust, and the Friends of Echo Lake, including Pokanokets, have the opportunity to work together on the different phases of this project in good energy and show the good character of Rhode Islanders," he said.

Mr. Gaffey said country club officials have only begun to investigate the options. But, he said, if a compromise can be found he will fully support it.

"If we were to sell it, certainly they (conservationists) would be high on the list. We would like to work with them if possible."

Echo Lake land has a rich, long history

Long before Rhode Island Country Club came along, the property abutting the western shore of Echo Lake had its own history.

Formed by the retreat of a glacier, the land offered unique topography, water access, plenty of wood and game and other features that made it desirable to Native Americans. Amateur archaeologists who excavated the site from 1992 to 1995 believe the remains — of stone tools, fire pits and other features — date back to 1,500 B.C. or older. They, and the Pokanoket Tribe of Bristol, believe native remains are also buried on the property.

Barrington resident David Andreozzi, who leads the Narragansett Archaeological Society, said the objects he and his volunteers found were incredible. Hundreds of objects, most hewn of stone, were recovered, as well as colonial-era items that hinted at a long, successful use of the site as a living area. Particularly interesting, he said, were the large hearths that in his experience are almost unique.

"None of the professionals has ever seen hearth constructed in this manner, so well-defined, so well-preserved," he said in 1992.

Mr. Andreozzi said the site offered great potential and had many more secrets to tell. However, the group deferred to state archaeologists and stopped their work in 1995, when officials asked them to cease without professional archaeologists on the job. Since then, the site has been covered, and there are no plans by the state to excavate it any time soon.

By Amy Myrick

amyrick@eastbaynewspapers.com