Knoll Farm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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McLaughlin Farm
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | 700 Bragg Hill Rd., Fayston, Vermont |
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| Area | 140 acres (57 ha) |
| Built | 1904 |
| Built by | Marshall, Everett |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| MPS | Agricultural Resources of Vermont MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 95001556 |
| Added to NRHP | January 22, 1996 |
Knoll Farm, once called McLaughlin Farm, is a special old farm in Fayston, Vermont. People have been farming here since 1804! You can still see how they used the land and buildings over time. Today, Knoll Farm is still a working farm. It's also a peaceful place for people to visit and learn. This historic place was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
Contents
What Makes Knoll Farm Special?
Knoll Farm is located on a hill above the village of Fayston. It covers about 140 acres (about 57 hectares) of land. A large open area stretches out from the farm buildings. These buildings are close to Bragg Hill Road.
Farm Buildings and Land
The eastern and northern parts of the farm are steeper hillsides. These areas were once used for growing timber. Now, they are home to a well-known retreat center. The open parts of the farm have pastures, hay fields, and gardens.
The main farm buildings are set back from the road. An old part of Bragg Hill Road now serves as a parking area. The farm has a wooden farmhouse built in 1904. There's also a barn from the mid-to-late 1800s. Another barn, built around 1880, was moved here in 1923.
A Look Back at Knoll Farm's History
This land was first farmed in the early 1800s by Rufus Barrett. It was a good spot for farming because it faced south. This meant the snow melted early, and the growing season lasted longer. Unlike bigger farms nearby, Knoll Farm grew many different things.
The McLaughlin Family Era
From 1874 to 1935, three generations of the McLaughlin family owned the farm. Most of the buildings you see today were built during their time. The farm stopped being a business in 1935. It then became an inn for tourists traveling by car.
Even after that, some farming continued on the property. The recent owners still raise sheep and blueberries. They also run a small conference center here.
New Beginnings and a Vision for the Future
In 1957, Ann Day and her family bought Knoll Farm. They cared for the farm for 50 years. Ann connected the farm to new ideas about social and environmental action. In the 1980s, Ann helped people fleeing war find safety. She made Knoll Farm a refuge for them.
Ann also worked to protect the farm's nature and history. In 1982, she made one of the first agreements to permanently protect the land. This was done with the Vermont Land Trust.
In 2001, Peter Forbes, Helen Whybrow, and their family bought the farm. They were chosen to bring a new vision to Knoll Farm. Active farming returned to the farm. New buildings were also built using natural materials. This showed the new owners' commitment to protecting the environment.
In 2004, Forbes and Whybrow started the Center for Whole Communities. This group brought together thousands of leaders. These leaders worked on social justice and environmental issues. They met at the farm for 12 years.
In 2008, Knoll Farm began running only on wood and solar power again. This was how the farm got energy before the 1940s. Today, Knoll Farm is a great example of a working farm. It grows organic fruits and raises Icelandic sheep. It also produces solar energy. Knoll Farm continues to be a welcoming place for community leaders from all over the United States.
