Gap View Farm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Gap View Farm
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Farmhouse in the 1930s
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 Location in West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Charles Town, West Virginia |
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| Built | 1774 |
| Architect | Walter Baker |
| Architectural style | Georgian, Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 96001574 |
| Added to NRHP | January 9, 1997 |
Gap View Farm, located near Charles Town, West Virginia, is a very old farm. It was built in 1774. This historic farm was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 9, 1997. This means it's an important place in American history.
Contents
Why It's Called Gap View Farm
The farm's name, Gap View, comes from its amazing view. From the farm, you can see a natural opening, or "gap," in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This gap was carved out by the Potomac River near Harpers Ferry.
A Look Back: The Farm's History
The story of Gap View Farm began in 1770. That's when Walter Baker arrived in what was then Berkeley County, Virginia. He started clearing the land to build a farm.
Building the Farmhouse
Walter Baker built the main house of the farm in 1774. Before that, a smaller limestone house was built around 1750 on the same land. This land was originally given to Henry Lloyd by Lord Fairfax.
Changing Owners Over Time
After Walter Baker passed away in 1820, his wife, Jacobina, sold the farm to James L. Ranson. Later, in 1868, Parker Strode bought the farm from Ranson. In 1871, Charles Aglionby became the owner. He also owned nearby estates. The main house was expanded four times over the years. In 1937, the Barlett family bought the farm.
The Buckles Family Era
In 1954, Frank Buckles, a World War I veteran, and his wife Audrey bought Gap View Farm. Their daughter, Susannah, was born there in 1955. Frank Buckles became famous as the last American survivor of World War I. He lived at Gap View Farm until he passed away in 2011, at 110 years old.
Becoming a Historic Place
Because of its long history and importance, Gap View Farm was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 9, 1997.
Caring for the Land: Conservation Efforts
Today, Frank Buckles' daughter, Susannah Mayo Buckles, manages Gap View Farm. She works hard to make the farm more friendly to the environment.
Planting Trees and Protecting Water
In May 2008, many volunteers helped plant over 1,000 trees and shrubs on the farm. Local groups have also worked to plant trees and wetland plants along the farm's stream and wet areas. This helps keep the water clean and provides homes for wildlife.
Fencing for a Healthy Farm
Susannah Buckles also put up 15,000 feet of fencing. This was part of a special program to protect the land. The fences separate the farm's conservation areas from the areas where their 130 cattle live. This helps protect the plants and soil.
Awards for Good Farming
In 2009, Gap View Farm won the Jefferson County Conservation Farmer of the Year award. It was also considered for the West Virginia Conservation Farmer of the Year award that same year.
