Allandale Farm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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John Harris House and Farm
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The pond behind the farm stand and greenhouses
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Brookline and Boston, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 105 acres (42 ha) |
| MPS | Brookline MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 85003246 |
| Added to NRHP | October 17, 1985 |
Allandale Farm, also known as the John Harris House and Farm, is a really old and important farm. It's located at 284 Newton Street, right on the edge of Brookline and Boston, Massachusetts. This farm is special because it's the very last working farm in both of these towns! Its main farmhouse was built around 1778, making it one of the oldest houses in Brookline. The farm was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, which means it's recognized as a place with important history.
About Allandale Farm
Allandale Farm sits right on the border between eastern Brookline and the Jamaica Plain area of Boston. It's a large property, covering about 105 acres (or 42 hectares). On its west side, you'll find Newton Street, and to the south and east is Allandale Road.
The farm is also next to the Brandegee Estate on its north side. In the past, Allandale Farm was actually part of that larger estate. Today, if you visit, you'll find the farmstand and several greenhouses along Allandale Road. This is where the farm sells its fresh produce to the public.
What You'll Find at the Farm
To get to the inside of the farm, you use the main driveway from the Brandegee Estate, which is off Newton Street. Here, you'll see several farm buildings. These buildings are quite old, dating back to the late 1800s. They have been updated and are now used for different purposes.
The original farmhouse is tucked away among some trees, far from the main road. It was built around 1778 by a man named John Harris. His family had owned land in this area since at least 1655! The house was renovated in 1976, but you can still see parts of its 18th-century design. When the farm was part of the Brandegee Estate, the farmhouse was used by the estate's caretaker.
Allandale Farm is a unique place. It's the only working farm left in both Brookline and Boston. It reminds us of how this area used to be, with many farms and open land.
