Ballard Farm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Ballard Farm
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| Location | Jct. of Ballard Rd. and Town Hwy. 6, Georgia, Vermont |
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| Area | 100 acres (40 ha) |
| Built | 1788 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| MPS | Agricultural Resources of Vermont MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 93001241 |
| Added to NRHP | November 4, 1993 |
The Ballard Farm is a very old farm in Georgia, Vermont. It's a special place because it has been farmed by the same family, the Ballards, for over 200 years! The farm was started in 1788 when Joseph Ballard bought the land from Ira Allen.
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What Does Ballard Farm Look Like?
The Ballard Farm is located in a countryside area of Georgia, Vermont. It covers a large piece of land, more than 600 acres (about 240 hectares). The most important part of the farm is about 100 acres (40 hectares) where the main buildings are.
Farm Buildings and Land
On the farm, there are fields for growing crops and pastures for animals. The western part of the farm has steep, wooded areas. The main farm buildings are grouped together on both sides of Ballard Road.
The main farmhouse is made of brick and has two and a half stories. It was built in a style called Greek Revival. This means it has features like those found in ancient Greek buildings. For example, the doors and windows have special marble sills and tops. The front door has narrow windows on the sides and a window above it with an "X" pattern. A wooden addition, called an ell, extends from the back of the house.
Across the road from the house, you can see two old barns built in the late 1800s. There are also other buildings, mostly from the 1900s. The oldest building on the farm, built around 1800, was once an icehouse. Now, it's used as a garage.
The History of Ballard Farm
Joseph Ballard was one of the very first people to settle in Georgia, Vermont. He bought the first 100 acres of land from Ira Allen in 1788. Ira Allen was the first European owner of this land. Joseph Ballard also bought a small piece of land across the road where he built his first home. The wooden ell part of the current brick house actually contains parts of a house built around 1800.
How Farming Changed Over Time
The Ballard family has adapted their farming methods over many years. At first, they did a mix of different types of farming. Later, they focused on raising sheep. Eventually, they switched to dairy farming, which means they raised cows for milk. Today, the farm is mainly a dairy operation. The Ballard family's success in farming is shown by how they bought more land over time.
