Claude Moore Colonial Farm facts for kids
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| Established | 1973 |
|---|---|
| Dissolved | 21 December 2018 |
| Location | 6310 Georgetown Pike, McLean, Virginia, U.S. |
| Type | Living museum |
The Claude Moore Colonial Farm, first known as Turkey Run Farm, was a special park in Virginia, USA. It showed what life was like on a farm around the year 1771. This was a time when many people in America were tenant farmers. A tenant farmer is someone who rents land to farm instead of owning it. The farm closed its doors for good on December 21, 2018. The National Park Service, which owns the land, is now deciding what to do with the area.
A private group called the Friends of Claude Moore Colonial Farm paid for everything that happened at the farm. The National Park Service owned the land but only helped with some basic upkeep. The farm was located in McLean, Virginia. This town is a suburb of Washington, D.C. It was also near the George Bush Center for Intelligence and the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center.
The main goal of the Claude Moore Colonial Farm was to show what life was like for tenant farmers in 1771. Most people in Virginia back then were tenant farmers. They grew tobacco to pay their rent. They also grew food for themselves to eat. This was different from places like Colonial Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg mostly shows the lives of rich landowners and merchants.
Exploring the Farm's History
The farm first opened in July 1973. It was run by the National Park Service and called Turkey Run Farm. In 1981, its name changed to Claude Moore Colonial Farm. This happened because a local land developer, Dr. Claude Moore, left a lot of money to the farm when he passed away.
This money helped the farm become very special. It became the only place in the National Park system that ran on its own. It did not get money from the National Park Service. Instead, it used money from its special fund. It also relied on volunteers and donations from the public.
Over the years, the farm added more buildings and areas. A gift shop called the GateHouse Giftshop was built. Before this, visitors just put their admission fee into a drop box. An event deck and a garden called the Bounty Garden were also added.
After the events of September 11, 2001, a new road was built. This road made it easier to get to the farm office. It meant visitors no longer had to pass through a security gate near the CIA grounds. In 2011, a place called "Chez Puce" became a used-book store. It used to be a place for book and "garage" sales.
How the Farm Operated
The farm was run by a small team of paid staff. Many volunteers also helped out. Some volunteers worked behind the scenes. Others dressed in old-fashioned clothes. They pretended to be people from the 1700s.
The staff and volunteers, including kids and teenagers, showed how farm life was back then. They demonstrated field work, crafts, cooking, and other daily tasks. They used "first-person portrayals." This means they acted as if they were really living in the 1700s. This helped visitors feel like they had traveled back in time.
The farm grew old types of crops. They also had special kinds of farm animals. These were carefully chosen to be as accurate as possible for the 1700s. The farm also worked with Fairfax County, Virginia. They offered work experience to people who needed it. This work involved helping out on the farm.
Fun Events at the Farm
The most exciting events at the farm were the Market Fairs. These were held three times a year: in May, July, and October. Many long-time volunteers helped make the fairs special. They included a blacksmith, a cabinet maker, and a hat maker. There was also someone who sold herbs and flowers, a potter, and a chair maker.
The Market Fair also had a toy store, a place to write, and a puppet theater. You could also find roasted chicken and a tavern. Many people at the Market Fair were part of groups that re-enact the American Revolutionary War. They often appeared at other history events too.
Other regular events included harvesting and preparing wheat. They also prepared the tobacco crop each year. The last event of the season was a colonial Wassail in mid-December. This celebration included a special blessing of the orchard.
Farm Closure
The Claude Moore Colonial Farm officially closed on December 21, 2018. It is no longer open for visitors.
