Maple Leaf Farm Potato House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Maple Leaf Farm Potato House
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 Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Location | 26632 Porter Mill Road, Hebron, Maryland |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1920 |
| NRHP reference No. | 98000544 |
| Added to NRHP | June 1, 1998 |
The Maple Leaf Farm Potato House is a special old building in Hebron, Maryland. It was built a long time ago, around the 1920s, to store sweet potatoes. This historic building is made of brick and is quite large, measuring about 40 feet long and 24 feet wide. It wasn't always in its current spot; it was carefully moved to Western Fields in July 1997.
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What is a Potato House?
A potato house is a type of farm building. Farmers used them to store potatoes, especially sweet potatoes, after they were harvested. These buildings were designed to keep the potatoes cool and dry. This helped them stay fresh for a long time. It also protected them from freezing in winter.
Why Store Sweet Potatoes?
Sweet potatoes are a popular crop. They need special care after being dug up from the ground. If they get too cold, they can spoil. If they get too hot, they might sprout too soon. A potato house provided the perfect environment. It kept the temperature just right. This meant farmers could sell their potatoes all year.
Building the Potato House
The Maple Leaf Farm Potato House was built between 1920 and 1928. It uses a type of brickwork called "common bond." This is a strong way to lay bricks. It makes the walls very sturdy. The building's size, 40 feet by 24 feet, shows how many potatoes it could hold. It was an important part of farming in the area.
A Historic Landmark
This potato house is very important. It shows us how farming was done in the past. Because of its history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. This list includes buildings and places that are important to American history. Being on this list helps protect the building. It makes sure future generations can learn from it.
Its Journey
The Maple Leaf Farm Potato House has an interesting story. It was first located near U.S. Route 50. But in 1997, it was moved to its current home. Moving an entire brick building is a big job! This move helped preserve the building. It allowed it to be part of the Western Fields property.
