Howell Living History Farm facts for kids
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Howell Living History Farm
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Mercer County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | 70 Woodens Lane Hopewell Township, New Jersey |
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| Nearest city | Titusville, New Jersey |
| Area | 130 acres (53 ha) |
| Built | 1732 |
| Part of | Pleasant Valley Historic District (ID91000676) |
| NRHP reference No. | 77000879 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 2, 1977 |
| Designated CP | June 14, 1991 |
The Howell Living History Farm is a special place where you can step back in time. It's also known as the Joseph Phillips Farm. This farm is like a living museum, covering about 130 acres. It's located near Titusville, New Jersey in Hopewell Township, New Jersey.
The farm was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 2, 1977. This means it's an important historical site because of its farming history and old buildings. It's also part of the larger Pleasant Valley Historic District.
The Farm's Early Days
The Howell Living History Farm started way back in 1732. A blacksmith named Joseph Phillips bought 125 acres of land. He was the first owner of this farm.
Later, Joseph's son, Henry Phillips, took over. By 1800, Henry had made the farm even bigger, adding another 100 acres. Henry was a brave man who served as a captain in the Continental Army during the American Revolution.
When Henry passed away in 1805, a list was made of everything on the farm. It included two teams of oxen, horses, and flax growing in the fields. Most of the buildings you see on the farm today were built in the 1800s, before the American Civil War.
From Family Farm to Museum
The last family to own the farm privately was the Howell family. They were very generous. In 1974, they gave the land to Mercer County. Their wish was for the farm to become a museum.
Today, the Howell Living History Farm shows what farm life was like around the year 1900. It's a great place to learn about farming from the past. Mercer County owns the farm. The Mercer County Park Commission helps run it, along with a group called The Friends of Howell Living History Farm. They all work together to keep history alive for visitors.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Mercer County, New Jersey
- Allaire Village, a similar living history museum located in Howell / Wall townships
