King Farm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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The King Farm
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | King Farm Rd., .5 mi. N of jct with US 4, Woodstock, Vermont |
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| Area | 157 acres (64 ha) |
| Built | 1793 |
| MPS | Agricultural Resources of Vermont MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 97000026 |
| Added to NRHP | January 31, 1997 |
The King Farm is a very old and important farm property located in Woodstock, Vermont. It covers more than 150 acres of woods and fields. This farm shows over 150 years of building history. It even has a special 18th-century English barn, which is quite rare.
At first, the King Farm was a subsistence farm. This means the family who lived there grew most of their own food. Later, in the late 1800s, it became a gentleman's farm. This type of farm was often owned by wealthy people, sometimes as a hobby or summer home. Today, the main farm buildings are used by a local government group. The farm was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. This means it's recognized as a special place because of its history.
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Exploring the King Farm's History
The King Farm is located about 1 mile west of Woodstock village. You can find it north of United States Route 4. The farm covers 157 acres. About half of this land is cleared and used for pastures or for cutting hay. The other half is covered in forests.
The Farm's Main Buildings
The main farm buildings are at the end of King Farm Road. This road used to go all the way to Barnard. Now, it mostly serves as the farm's driveway. The farm has several old buildings. These include the main house, a big barn, a sheep barn, a horse shed, a granary (for storing grain), and a workshop. Most of these buildings were built before the year 1900.
The Main House and Barn
The main house is a two-and-a-half-story building made of wood. It was first built around 1793. It was made bigger two times during the 1800s. The oldest part of the main barn is from the same time period. It started as an English barn. This type of barn has a central driveway for wagons. Over time, many additions were built around it, almost completely covering the original barn.
Other Farm Structures
The sheep barn was added to the property in 1840. It is one-and-a-half stories tall. It also has a shed roof extension on one side. These different buildings show how farming and building styles changed over the years.
Who Lived and Worked Here?
The King Farm land was first cleared and settled in the early 1790s. Jesse Williams, who came from a well-known local family, started farming here. He worked the land until 1807.
The King Family's Legacy
In 1807, Jabez King bought the farm from Jesse Williams. Jabez King was from Massachusetts and had lived in Woodstock for 20 years. Four generations of his family would continue to farm this land. The farm is important because many of its oldest buildings are still standing. Also, the variety of buildings shows how farming and architecture changed over time.
From Farm to Retreat
Hiram Udall King was a grandson of Jabez King. He became famous in education, even starting the King School in Stamford, Connecticut. In 1887, Hiram bought out his siblings and mother's shares in the farm. He then changed it into a gentleman's farm and a summer retreat. This meant it was less about growing food for survival and more about leisure. In the early 1900s, he added more living spaces for farm workers. He also built new structures for his summer guests and visitors.
In 1985, the last of King's family members passed away. The remaining land was then given to what is now called the Vermont Land Trust. This organization helps protect important lands.
