A historic Marshfield farm is being restored and reimagined as a tranquil wellness retreat.
By Jennifer H. McInerney
Photography by Kjeld Mahoney
On the banks of Little’s Creek in Marshfield, a salty breeze floats over an expanse of marshland, casting tiny ripples over the water and causing the leaves on a nearby tree to flutter gently. Tied to its branches are small strips of cotton fabric–each representing a wish or a thought of gratitude. The tree grows on the grounds of JPH at Ferry Hill, a one-of-a-kind nonprofit wellness and retreat center, and is a quiet reminder of the organization’s mission to create a nurturing and inclusive environment where healing and transformation can take root.
Until recently, South Shore residents had limited access to free and low-cost holistic well-being programs within their local community—but now, these services are increasingly available to all, especially those facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and recovery from addiction. At the heart of this shift is JPH at Ferry Hill, a community respite center situated on the grounds of a former 1800s dairy farm. JPH offers individuals and families vital resources, support, and programs focused on healing and well-being.
The organization’s founders, Diana Harrington Scolponeti and Katie James Sheerin, both come from families impacted by trauma. Working together with other local families who experienced similar situations, created JPH—also known as the James P. Harrington Organization—to offer free and low-cost holistic well-being programs and a community of support for people seeking better mental health.
“We meet people where they are—whether they’re simply seeking to stay grounded or navigating stress, loss, trauma, or major life transitions,” explains Scolponeti, JPH’s Executive Director.
Since founding JPH at Ferry Hill in 2022, the pair have led the effort to lovingly restore the original barn and attached community center, which served as a branch of the YWCA for several decades. In creating JPH, they envisioned a community that would be built on—and thrive on—personal connection and collective healing.
“Being surrounded by a community of caring people can save your life,” says Sheerin, JPH’s Programs and Events Director.
To build that community from the ground up, the founders reached out to individuals with an interest in improving access to mental health services on the South Shore. They sought input on how they could successfully redefine and transform mental health support and community care with a holistic approach. Then they assembled a team of esteemed professionals to help them establish and enhance JPH and its offerings. These more than 50 volunteer consultants have expertise in such crucial areas as law, finance, and nonprofit strategy to help ensure the viability and sustainability of this organization for generations to come.
"We meet people where they are—whether they’re simply seeking to stay grounded or navigating stress, loss, trauma, or major life transitions."
- Diana Harrington Scolponeti,
JPH’s Executive Director
On the programming side, JPH follows the guidance of a Wellness Committee of over 40 holistic and traditional healthcare practitioners from a range of disciplines. Anyone navigating a difficult time or simply looking for a place of respite when needed is welcome take part in the multitude of offerings, including mindfulness and decompression practices, men’s and women’s mental well-being programs, support groups for caregivers, sound healing, grounding, meditation, yoga, acupuncture for trauma, reiki, art therapy, grief support, and youth wellness.
“Our programs are for everyone,” says Sheerin. “There are a wide variety of people who come here to connect on a journey of mental health and well-being. People walk in here and are able to take a deep breath, to experience calm—maybe for the first time in their lives.”
In addition to the extensive menu of year-round programs, building on the YWCA’s tradition, JPH offers an unplugged summer camp for children in kindergarten through seventh grade, grounded in the principles of nature and holistic well-being. Campers engage in swimming lessons, nature programs, child well-being rounds, yoga, meditation, sound healing, therapeutic art, and outdoor games. JPH tracks program effectiveness to continually support children’s holistic health and growth.
“Summer camp is part of the heart and history of this property, and it’s also a powerful opportunity to reach children where they are,” says Scolponeti. “Our camp allows kids to unplug, connect with nature, and develop social-emotional skills in a safe, supportive environment.”
In August of 2024, JPH launched a $5 million capital campaign to restore and breathe new life into the Ferry Hill property. Led by Director of Development Beth Winn, the JPH philanthropy team has been working under the guidance of Karen McArdle of the Emilson Family Foundation to raise funds to continue to fulfill its mission of delivering a year-round center for healing, wellness, and community connection. To date, the group has raised just over $1 million toward this goal. They also received a recent award of $250,000 in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts FY26 Senate budget, championed by Senator Patrick O’Connor and supported by local legislators. O’Connor lauds JPH’s ongoing efforts as “life-changing work” for the benefit of the local community. Grants and donations help to sustain capital improvements to the property’s infrastructure as well as expand services and reduce participation fees, improving access for all.
“Reimagining the Ferry Hill property not only honors its past, but allows us to build something vibrant, healing, and lasting for the future,” says Scolponeti. “Many important projects still lie ahead as we work to fully realize the vision of a welcoming, accessible, and sustainable space for all who seek healing and connection.”
This fall, JPH will launch a first-of-its-kind retreat experience for small groups, businesses, and professional and nonprofit organizations seeking to unplug, reconnect, and recharge in a serene and restorative environment. As Sheerin explains, each retreat experience can be tailored to the group’s specific needs and preferences, including customized programming, healthy catered meals, and restful accommodations. In addition to its spacious, versatile barn, the property features a certified kitchen, lunchroom, break-out rooms for strategy sessions, an art room for meetings, art therapy, and other creative activities, and a “comfy room” with sofas and chairs for team-building and downtime. From nearly every window, guests can enjoy the scenic marsh and river views throughout the nine-acre site. Outside, the grounds include a deck, meditation pad, swimming pool, fire pit and natural trails to further enrich the retreat experience.
“Companies are focusing more on corporate wellness and taking care of their employees on a holistic level,” Sheerin points out. “Our retreats are a great way to get out of the office and back to nature to focus on wellness.” Daytime and evening retreat options are available and multi-day/overnight visits can be accommodated in the adjacent guest house, which has been fully updated and sleeps up to six people.
With new retreats, expanded programming, and a bold vision for the future, JPH at Ferry Hill is redefining what it means to care for mind, body, and spirit on the South Shore. Here, in a place where history and healing meet, the community continues to grow—rooted in resilience, and reaching toward a brighter future.