[MassHistPres] Farms

Fri Oct 15 14:49:50 EDT 2010

The Job Lane Farm Museum in Bedford, MA is owned by the town. It is under the watchful eye of the Historic Preservation Commission, and used/run by The Friends of the Job Lane House, Inc. Built in early 1700's, the House and land has a wonderful history, plus the Friends raised the money to build an authentic post and beam barn on the property in 1993. The House has been cleaned and repaired, refurbished, and furnished with period items, and is open for tours by period dressed guides the 2nd and 4th Sunday from May through October. The Friends just had it's 12th annual craft faire on the property, and there are events held at the house/barn/property all through the open season. This property is a real asset to the Town, with upkeep funded mostly by annual dues and donations. Go to www. joblane.org for photos and more information. 

Carol M Carlson 
Past President 
Friends of the Job Lane House 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: dgkalman4 at cs.com 
To: "Harnden Tavern" <htavern at townofwilmingtonma.com>, masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu, masshistpres at cs.umb.edu 
Sent: Friday, October 15, 2010 1:26:09 PM 
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Farms 

Milton was given its poor farm under the will of then Gov Stoughton with the understandand that the farm benefit the Towns Poor It has provided income via rental of 5 buildings on the land and various agricultural uses The Farm is held in trust by the Board of Selectmen. David Kelman. Keller Williams Reality. Dkelman at kw.com 
-----Original Message----- 
From: "Harnden Tavern" <htavern at townofwilmingtonma.com> 
Sender: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu 
Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2010 13:16:48 
To: <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu> 
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Farms 

I am amazed at how many town-owned farms their are in Massachusetts! 
Interesting, too, in that they have been acquired different ways (purchase, 
gift, etc.). Everyone nowadays seems to appreciate the benefit of open 
space. We always love something once it becomes hard to get or hard to 
keep! The Town of Wilmington has been offered a gift of land which used to 
be a farm, although it is very small (5.7 acres). The building of Route 93 
cut into it considerably - the state took a chunk of land from the owners in 
the late 50's to allow passage of the highway - the owner actually continued 
to farm land on the other side of the highway for a while, but eventually it 
was sold off. But the family did continue to run a small farm on the 
property into the 1970's or 80's. And the donor's desire is that some sort 
of agriculture continue on the property, with public access, especially for 
school children (she was a teacher). Also, there are National Register 
buildings on the site. However, we must come up with a plan for this site 
before our next town meeting (April of 2011) because it is feared that the 
town will not vote to accept this gift if taxpapers think it will cost them 
money. I will definately be following up with some of the farms and 
organizations that have been mentioned here as we search for ideas to make 
this attractive to our town's taxpayers. Thank you so much for all the 
information that has been shared with me thus far! 

Terry McDermott 
Curator 
Wilmington Town Museum at the 
Col. Joshua Harnden Tavern, c.1770 
430 Salem Street 
Wilmington, MA 01887 
978.658.5475 
htavern at town.wilmington.ma.us 
http://www.town.wilmington.ma.us/Pages/WilmingtonMA_BComm/Historical/index 

The Wilmington Historical Commission can also be reached at the above 
addresses and phone number. 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <mdstarkey at crocker.com> 
To: <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu> 
Sent: Friday, October 15, 2010 12:38 PM 
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Farms 

> The Greenfield Town Poor Farm contains a complex of barns and 60 ac.of 
largely prime farmland leased to a local dairy farm. A small area is 
also used by an ad hoc local gardening group. The town, under the 
mayor's leadership, has applied to the MA Dept of Ag Resources for an 
APR on most of the land. The large adjacent poor farm dwelling is in 
private hands as multiple occupancy rentals. It has been suggested 
that the Agricultural Commission be designated manager of the farm and 
the Historical Commission has suggested that a fund be created to 
maintain the barns as leasable property. This area of town has a 
number of farms, making this a promising situation. 

Marcia Starkey, GHC 
> 
>> Hello All! 
>> 
>> Can anyone refer me to any town-owned farms in Massachusetts, 
>> perhaps historic properties that the town/municipality acquired in 
>> one way or another? Thanks! 
>> 
>> Terry McDermott 
>> Curator 
>> Wilmington Town Museum at the 
>> Col. Joshua Harnden Tavern, c.1770 
>> 430 Salem Street 
>> Wilmington, MA 01887 
>> 978.658.5475 
>> htavern at town.wilmington.ma.us 
>> http://www.town.wilmington.ma.us/Pages/WilmingtonMA_BComm/Historical/index 
>> 
>> The Wilmington Historical Commission can also be reached at the 
>> above addresses and phone number. 
>> 
>> 
>> 
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