The last Howland owners surveyed off the farmhouse from the approximately 191 acres of remaining farmland of Augustus' original Lot 149 and Lot 35 parcels. Small farms are not as viable in the current economic structure which supports larger farms with thousands of acres.
However, knowing that someone who would be interested in purchasing the farmhouse may likely also want SOME farmland, they thoughtfully added a reservation that would allow the future buyer the right to purchase an approximately 8 acre parcel of the former farmland.
This considerate act is gratefully appreciated by Howland Farm Museum, as this acreage is where the location of the "farm" portion of the "farm museum" will be situated.
Unfortunately, receiving these 8 acres from the current landowners, Howland Farm, LLC. and farmed by Aurora Ridge Dairy, LLC. has been more difficult than expected and legal action was necessary. Jodi went to Cayuga County Supreme Court in June 2024 to fight to have her rights under the reservation upheld and is awaiting judgement.
Howland Farm Museum is confident that the wishes of the Howland sisters, Patricia, Faith and Susan, who were the last to grow up on their family land, will be fulfilled as intended and that Howland Farm Museum will be able to share their great-great grandfather's agricultural legacy with the community on the very land it was implemented!
Check out the Property History page to see the long and complex history of land "ownership".
VIEW OF ACREAGE FROM PROPERTY LINE
BASIC SITE PLAN
DEED
Baldwin v. Dugan & Howland farm June 3, 2024
Research historic paint colors
Determining the original exterior color design is a priority so that the Main House can be painted, which it is in desperate need of. One of the former Howland residents shared with me that in her childhood, she was told by her parents that the house used to be "yellow with purple trim".
That may sound garish, but aligns with common colors in the Italianate period.
Evidence of ochre, grey-purple, dark purple, dark green and brick red has been found.
More research is required, however, to specify WHAT the exact shades were,
WHEN was the house painted these colors and WHERE each color was applied.
clapboard looks stained ochre yellow
basement door trim appears purple shade
kitchen slats show dark green
Kitchen window glazing Is brick red
increase tree coverage
The lawn has been allowed to overgrow for a few seasons, so that observations could be made of plants that existed! A plethora of black walnut, locust and juniper saplings were noted and a handful of these have been marked, to allow them to mature.
Based on the 1879 property reference and a 1904 map, there were more trees on the property than currently exist, so rectifying that is an immediate priority, as trees take time to grow!
Additionally, other varieties of natives are being selected to plant for diversity.
map showing "locust hill farm"
Select black walnut saplings to grow
native juniper returns
transplant cherry tree
create & implement landscape plan
The 1879 History of Cayuga County book contains the only visual 19th century reference I am aware of for this homestead.
The interpretation of Howland Farm Museum will not be an exact copy of what "was" here before, but an experience of historic trends intertwined with permaculture methods.
A historic landscape plan, which draws from other primary source materials including period books, illustrations, and literature outlining popular trends, is being researched.
