Billings Farm and Museum – Woodstock Vermont

Continuing with the 15^th day of our summer adventure in the northeastern United States…

Our first stop on this beautiful day was at another attraction that I would like and that I knew that Laurie would like.  She loves critters and history!

Our goal was the 643 acre Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park just outside Woodstock Vermont.  Other than a portion of the Appalachian Trail, this is the only unit of the National Park System in the State of Vermont.  The park was established in 1992. 

Beautifully situated in the low hills and pastureland of central Vermont, the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park is the only national park that tells the story of conservation history and the evolving nature of land stewardship in America.  The park was formerly the boyhood home of George Perkins Marsh and later the home of Frederick Billings.  Its most recent owners were Laurance and Mary Rockefeller.  The Rockefellers transferred the property to the Federal Government in 1992…

Note: Laurance Rockefeller was an advisor to 5 different Presidents of the United States.  Even more significantly the Rockefeller family has created or enhanced more than 20 American National Parks.

Since I had one other historic mansion on my ‘places to visit’ list for this trip, we limited our visit to the March-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park to just one segment, the Billings Farm and Museum.  This is a view of one of the barns from the parking area. 

Frederick Billings (1823 – 1890) was an attorney and financier.  He made a lot of money settling land claims in the California Gold Rush.  Later, he served as the President of the Northern Pacific Railway.  He purchased George Perkins Marsh’s former estate in 1869 and began putting Marsh’s theories on conservation into actual practice.  Billings and his heirs bought up many failing farms and reforested much of the estate.  Today the property includes what is perhaps the oldest managed forest in the USA.

To learn more about Frederick Billings, you can go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_H._Billings.  

To learn more about George Marsh, just go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Perkins_Marsh.

To learn more about Laurance Rockefeller, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurance_Rockefeller.

By way of contrast, here is an historical painting of Woodstock and the surrounding area.  Note that most of the area is treeless… FYI, today Vermont has over 4,500,000 acres of forest land…which means that the state is 76% forested. 

I had to include photos of the farm animals didn’t I?  Goats sure are cute!

The Billings Farm and Museum has a horse barn, cow barn, chicken barn, wagon barn and an activity barn.  There also is a visitor’s center, a theater, the Farm Life Exhibit building and an 1890 farm house with an accompanying ice house.

FYI, It was estimated that there were 2,500,000 goats in the USA in 2010.

Isn’t this a cute photo?  Two pigs cuddling… I don’t remember if they share their quarters with the chickens or if they live on the lower level of the wagon barn.  We took photos of the small flock of chickens too but since we had to shoot through ‘chicken wire’, the pictures were blurry…

In 2017, there were an estimated 71,000,000 pigs in the USA!  It’s estimated that the world-wide chicken population had reached 50,000,000,000 by 2009…

As I mentioned at the start, Laurie loves critters.  Here she was able to give a snack, more grass, to a hungry sheep.

 

By 2017, there were 5,250,000 sheep in the USA.  By way of comparison, New Zealand has about 27,000,000 sheep, Australia 75,500,000 and China 175,000,000.

We thought that this was a nice pastoral photo.  These Jersey cows are key to the working dairy farm at Billings Farm.  The Jersey is a relatively small breed of dairy cattle.  Originally bred on the Channel Island of Jersey, this breed is popular for the high butterfat content of its milk, lower cost of upkeep due to its lower body-weight and its gentle disposition. 

This young cow decided to come over and say Hi to Laurie…or maybe it thought it might get a treat.

Laurie’s favorite farm animals are horses.  She was happy to see these beautiful Belgian gelding draft horses out grazing in a pasture.  Their names are Max and Banner...

A bit later, we watched Max and Banner being led back into the barn.  They are truly powerful horses… Belgians are also known as the Belgian Heavy Horse or Brabant.  They originated in the Brabant region of Belgium.  

Belgian Draft Horses are the most numerous breed of draft horse in the USA.  They are very docile and willing plus they are very strong.  A pair of Belgians weighing 4,800 lbs. pulled/dragged 17,000 lbs. (8.5 tons) of weight at an event in Colorado.  

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Once the horses were back in their barn, one of them decided to check us out.  Given their calm disposition, Belgians are readily trainable and are ready to work whatever the task.  Max and Banner each weigh about a ton and they stand 18 hands tall at the shoulders/withers.  

A Belgian named "Big Jake" is currently the tallest horse in the world.  He measures 20.275 hands at the withers...or about 6 feet 9 inches!

Of course, a ‘cow face’ can be appealing too!

Jersey cows are relatively small.  They typically weigh between 880 and 1100 lbs.  Jersey bulls are another matter.  They can reach 1800 lbs. and unlike the cows, they do not have a great disposition!  Many in the business consider the ‘boys’ to be the least docile among the dairy related bulls.   

This is obviously the cow/milking barn… Two of the ladies in the aisle work at the farm, working with the cows and answering visitor’s questions.

In this photo the ladies had just demonstrated the procedure of hooking a cow up to the automated milking machine.

FYI…a Jersey cow named Mainstream Barkley Jubilee holds 2 records for milk production for a Jersey cow.  She produced 49,250 lbs. of milk after calving at 3 years and 6 months old and 55,590 lbs. after calving at 4 years and 8 months old.

I took a photo of this ‘show worthy’ buckboard wagon in one of the barns…just because it grabbed my attention.

This historic 1890 Farm House at the Billings Farm was built as a multi-purpose addition to Frederick Billings' expanding farm operations.  It was a model farmhouse, incorporating state-of-the art creamery equipment as well as many indoor conveniences.  It served as the home and office for the farm manager and his family.

I really love the art and design elements involved in these old stoves.  The Farm House literally has one in every room that doesn’t have a fireplace.  These were 2 of the most ornate. 

The living room/sitting room in the farmhouse is very upscale!  Classy even… The entire Victorian era home has been fully restored to its late 1890s glory.

This is the home’s dining room.  Billings Farm’s first professional farm manager, (a native Scotsman) his wife and 4 daughters lived in this house from 1890 until he died in 1910.  Even after that, the home served as a residence for the farm's managers, their families and other employees for many years.  

Laurie loved this pantry with its plethora of shelves, drawers and cupboards! Personally, I’d just be happy with that collection of stoneware crocks…

Think 1890 and then imagine what a luxury…a delight even…that this bathroom represented!  It has an indoor toilet, running water, a stove for heat and that magnificent steel and wood bathtub… The manager and his family were living well!

Now this is an office!  Love the beautiful wood furniture… The office is the only room in the house with several pieces of original furniture, including that spectacular desk.

All of the investment and effort that Billings and his farm manager put into this farm paid off big time!  At the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, the Billings Farm took top honors. 

The basement of the farmhouse is also home for the creamery/butter making exhibit.  This is actually where fresh cream from the Jersey herd was churned into butter.  About 5,000 pounds of it were produced each year.  It was shipped via rail to Boston, New York and beyond.

 

When the farm was built, this was cutting-edge equipment.  The machinery includes 2 Cooley Creamers and a water-powered Davis Swing Churn.  FYI…the Cooley Creamer was invented by William Cooley of Waterbury Vermont in 1877.  He sold his patent to the Vermont Farm Machinery Company and it became one of their best selling products nationwide. 

The Davis Swing Churn was also produced by the Vermont Farm Machinery Company.  They were available in 12 sizes.  The largest was 300 gallons and it was suspended from the ceiling beams of the creamery.  For an extra $16 you could purchase a treadmill attachment that enabled you to use a dog, goat or sheep to supply the power to swing the churn. 

After touring the farmhouse, we moved on to the Farm Life Exhibits.  This huge space contained a wealth of exhibits relating to life on a farm back in the early days.  We took a lot of photos but for the sake of brevity, I’m only showing a few of them.  This photo shows a variety of early seeding devices and machines. 

This delivery wagon transported fluid milk to markets.  As competition from the Midwest grew and impacted the butter and cheese business, Vermont’s dairies shifted to milk as their principal product.  They had the advantage of proximity to the big markets of Boston and New York for this perishable product.

This particular milk wagon is from Plymouth Vermont where President Calvin Coolidge’s grandfather used it to transport milk from his dairy to his cheese factory.   

Well, if you can have a dog churning butter, why not a horse or mule threshing grain?  Grain wasn’t a big item in New England but it was grown for local use.  Threshing machines like this could be easily transported and were frequently shared by a number of farmers.

As our summer journey has already shown, general stores are still important in rural New England villages.  Back in the 1900s and early 2000s, they were critical to the community.  Locals could buy necessities, exchange news, obtain medicines and of course, utilize the post office. 

There also is a cutaway full size 1890’s typical Vermont farm house.  Visitors can compare the basic living conditions and what the morning chores were like for a rural housewife as compared to the Billings Farmhouse.

Other real life historical exhibits in the Farm Life complex include ice harvesting and sugar maple harvesting equipment, and a large number of small and large farm implements. 

We happened to visit Billings Farm during the 32^nd Annual Quilt Exhibition.  There were many spectacular quilts to view.  This annual event is a juried exhibition of quilts that were made exclusively in Windsor County Vermont.  Quilting demonstrations, programs and other related activities were held for both children and adults.

Daily activities and special events are part of the attraction at Billings Farm.

Billings Farm and Museum operates with the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park.  Admission to the Farm and Museum can be purchased as a combination ticket.  Admission to the Farm and Museum alone is $16.00 for adults between 16 and 61.  Seniors 62 or older are $14.00.  There also is an AAA discount.

To learn more about the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, just go to the National Park’s website at www.nps.gov/mabi.  We really enjoyed our visit. 

Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them…

Thanks for continuing to accompany us on our 2018 summer adventures!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Dinner, an Amazing Market, Woodstock Vermont and Lunch

…continuing with our adventures from our trip in August 2018.

Following our visit to the President Calvin Coolidge Vermont State Historical Site in Plymouth Notch, we headed back to Rutland for dinner.

This is Gill’s Deli in Rutland Vermont.  We’d decided to keep it simple for dinner and Gill’s has a very positive reputation in this city.  The restaurant was opened in July of 1964 by Ned and Veda Gilligan.  Almost 54 years later, the family continues to operate this local icon…not a bad run, that’s for sure!

This is Gill's food prep area.  The staff moves quickly and efficiently to deliver customer orders.  Everyone was friendly and most customers were regulars.  You order at one counter and then pick up your food when it’s ready.

The dining area is simple and straightforward.  When we arrived there was just a short line of customers placing their orders.  The line grew significantly while we were eating!

This was Laurie’s dinner.  If I remember correctly, it’s a ‘small’ Hot Italian Meats Grinder. 

Gill’s Deli is all about grinders!  They do offer sandwiches, pizza, a couple of basic Italian specialties and a plethora of salads but about half of the menu is focused on grinders. 

I put together a ‘large’ combo of my own with turkey, cheese, pepperoni and ham.  It was huge!  You do get a lot of food for the money at Gill’s.

Four sizes of grinders are offered.  Mini, Small, Large and Giant.  Prices range from $5.45 for a mini with ‘mild meats’ up to $16.05 for a ‘giant’ with 100% Maine crabmeat. 

We enjoy local joints, delis and taverns.  It’s always a nice change from the usual tourist centered places.  However, we thought that despite its reputation, the ‘secret seasoned oil’ used on the grinders lacked much distinctive flavor…but we do like spicier food more than most people.  Also, we’re just not fans of shredded lettuce and our sandwiches were heaped with it. (Note: A reader has corrected me...it isn't shredded lettuce, it's shredded cabbage)

If you’re visiting Rutland, give Gill’s Deli a try.  It is a local success story that locals love!  Gill’s Delicatessen is located at 68 Strongs Avenue in Rutland Vermont.  Phone: 802-773-7414.  Website: http://gillsdeli.com/.

I’m not a shopper… But I do appreciate stores that are truly different and a notch above others that are trying to satisfy consumer’s needs, offer top quality, and more importantly, activate shopper’s aesthetic shopping instincts.   

The Woodstock Farmer’s Market hit all the shopping ‘hot buttons’ for us!

Everywhere we looked, it was ‘eye candy’.  What a great looking market!  The produce was spectacular and the deli counter was more than tempting.

Viewing the plethora of cheeses, bacon and other packaged meats was like torture for us road warriors!  

Can you believe how appealing this produce display was!

How about these cases loaded with tarts, donuts, cookies, brownies, bagels, croissants, cupcakes, pies, cakes and more…Wow!

How about a meal before partaking in some dessert?  The Woodstock Market’s Kitchen and Bakery serve a variety of breakfast and lunch sandwiches, hot lunch entrees and dinner selections too.

Tons of cheesy options with more sausage on top of the display case plus jams and jellies on the shelves at the back of the photo.

To further torture Laurie, the Woodstock Market was also selling a nice selection of beautiful flowering plants…that we couldn’t take back with us!

The Market was really busy when we visited.  As per their website, this store employs between 40 and 50 people.  If you’re in the area, this shopping opportunity is worth the stop. 

The good news is that a variety of products are offered on-line for us out of towners.  The Woodstock Farmer’s Market is located at 979 Woodstock Road in Woodstock Vermont.  They are closed on Mondays.  Phone: 802-457-3658.  Their website is found at: https://woodstockfarmersmarket.com/. 

Despite my efforts, I couldn’t find much information about this old railroad depot at 60 Pleasant Street in Woodstock Vermont.  It was the terminus of the Woodstock Railroad, a short line that operated over 14 miles of track between Woodstock and White River Junction where it connected with the Central Vermont Railroad. 

Since the Woodstock Railroad was completed in 1875, I found a listing of historic buildings in Woodstock that shows that this classic and architecturally interesting depot was actually completed in 1893.  The railroad operated from 1875 until it was abandoned in 1933.  A total of 350 people bought tickets for that last trip.

My question is why hasn’t someone done more to preserve this depot?  From all that we saw around town, it isn’t a poor community.  I checked and in 2010 Woodstock Village residents reported a household median income of $95,577 although the township and county median incomes were not as robust.

Woodstock Vermont is an attractive little town and it appears to be a “shopper’s paradise”.  As I noted above, it's also rather prosperous.  In the photo above, the building on the right at 18 Elm Street is The Village Butcher.  This store has been in operation since 1973…46 years!  In addition to meat, they serve coffee, bagels, muffins, deli salads and sandwiches…plus they have a selection of wines.  Website: https://www.villagebutchervt.com/.

The store at the left is F.H. Gillingham and Sons.  This general store at 16 Elm Street opened in this building back in 1886, (133 years ago), and it’s still operated by the founders great grandsons!  To learn more about this store and to shop on-line, just go to https://www.gillinghams.com/. 

In this photo, the stone front building at the far right at 13 Elm Street is one of five retail locations for the Vermont Flannel Company.  This family owned business is committed to the Made in USA Movement and has been since 1991.  Of course, if you’re so inclined, you can shop on-line at https://www.vermontflannel.com/.   

FYI, there is an 1,128 sq. ft. 2 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom apartment above the Vermont Flannel Company.  Rent is $1,300 month.  What a great downtown location close to shops and restaurants!

The large old building at the left of this photo at 21 Elm Street is occupied by a branch of TD Bank.  The appropriately named Bank Block was built in 1868.

This is Bentley’s Restaurant at 3 Elm Street in Woodstock.  Originally, a wood-framed hotel dominated this corner at Central and Elm Streets.  The Village Hotel was built in 1796.  However, in March of 1867, the hotel and everything else on the north side of Central Street the buildings down Elm Street burned to the ground.  To learn more about the early days in the central business area for Woodstock, you can go to https://www.woodstockhistorycenter.org/the-village-hotel/.

The current structure, called the Fairbanks Block, was built in 1873.  Established in 1976, Bentley’s was transformed from a florist shop, then to an ice cream café and then to a full service restaurant operation.  Live music is offered as is dancing.  Website: http://bentleysrestaurant.com/.

We were looking for something different for lunch so we wandered on down Woodstock’s Central Street until we came to the Soulfully Good Café.  Located at 67 Central Street, the Café offers organic dining options. 

FYI, this restaurant is located in the Miles-Marsh-Jones Block which was built in 1829. 

The café is very informal and it was quite busy.  Customers stand in line to place their orders and food is delivered to your table when it’s ready. 

As is fitting in a semi self-serve restaurant, the dining room is very casual.  As shown in the first photo, outdoor seating is an option.

Our choices for lunch included the Buttermilk Fried Chicken Salad sandwich on a Croissant ($11.00) and the Herb Rubbed Flank Steak with Roasted Cipollini and Local Vermont Cheddar on House made ciabatta bread. ($12.00)

The food was OK but not anything special.  To learn more about this restaurant, go to http://www.soulfullygood.com/index.html.

Fire destroyed the Stone Mill buildings at 47 – 55 Central Street in July of 2018.  The old building complex was occupied by Pi Brick Oven Trattoria and considerable damage was also done to the Vermont Standard’s offices.  The loss was set at about $1,000,000.  It was determined that the fire was an arson…

Note: The Village of Woodstock has a population of about 860 people.  The town (township) itself has about 3,000 residents.  Woodstock is the county seat of Windsor County, population about 55,500.

The sign on this clapboard building in downtown Woodstock states that it’s called the Morgan Block and that it was built in 1869.  I didn’t get the address.  It was unoccupied and up for sale or lease.

This is the Gilman Block.  It was built in 1869.  The business at the right is The Cover Gift Shop and Apothecary at 10 Elm Street.  They have been in business since 1928 and in 2018 they launched Clover Apothecary, a source for holistic health and wellness products.  Their website is at https://www.clovergiftshop.com/.

The store at the left is The Woodstock Gallery and it’s at 6 Elm Street. In business for over 20 years, this art gallery offers works ranging from fine art to folk art.  They are currently listing 26 artists on their website.  Works include paintings, stoneware, porcelain, earthenware, jewelry, sculpture and woodcarving.  Website: http://www.woodstockgalleryvt.com/.

Even the local optical shop, (complete with an optometrist), provides a special shopping experience.  Eyes on Elm, at 23 Elm Street, offers a wide array of frames and styles…many of them that you’d never find in a ‘usual’ optical store.  Even the interior of the store is unique.  Check it out at http://www.eyesonelm.com/.  FYI, Eyes on Elm is located in the 1868 Greene Block.

This is the Woodstock History Center, the home of Woodstock’s Historical Society.  The society was founded in 1942.  In 1943 the organization purchased this Federal style home at 26 Elm Street to serve as their museum.  The Charles Dana House was built in 1807.  Dana was a prosperous merchant in town and the home remained in the Dana family until the Historical Society bought it.

To learn more about the Woodstock History Center and the Society, just go to https://www.woodstockhistorycenter.org/.

FYI…The Woodstock Village Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.  It includes the village center and encompasses 95 buildings, sites and structures on 275 acres.  The town received its charter in 1761.

 

Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them…

Thanks for stopping by and continuing to explore with us!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave