Ever wonder how a farm survives amid suburban sprawl? The Wellington Farm Historic District offers a peek into that story. It is a unique place where history, agriculture, and community intertwine.
Wellington Farm Historic District earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. That happened on April 14, 1988. The district spans 35 acres. It sits in southern Weston, Massachusetts.
The Wellington Farm is bisected by Wellesley Street. The main house stands to the east. Fields stretch out on either side of the road. A farmhouse, a barn complex, pigsties, and a greenhouse also call this place home.
Imagine walking through fields defined by stone walls. These walls, visible on old maps, still stand. They divide the land and mark the farmstead’s boundary along Wellesley Street.
The Wellington Farm doesn’t represent just one era. It has evolved over time. It reflects Weston’s agrarian past. It also shows its turn-of-the-century popularity as a summer escape for wealthy Bostonians. Despite being near the Massachusetts Turnpike, it remains largely untouched by modern development. This makes it a rare working farm in the area.
Today, hay is grown in three fields on each side of Wellesley Street. This hay feeds the horses boarded at the farm. A modern greenhouse hosts hydroponic gardening.
Let’s step back in time and explore the main house. It’s the oldest structure on the property. It evolved through enlargements and remodelings. The original section dates back to around 1760. It was likely a typical 2 1/2 story, gable-roofed dwelling. It had five bays, a center entry, and a center chimney.
Around 1800-1820, the house was significantly enlarged. It appears the original house was turned ninety degrees. A south-facing addition was added. This new section featured a 2 1/2 story design. It included five bays, a center hall, and twin interior chimneys. Federal-period details added to its early 19th-century charm.
By 1899, further changes had occurred. A wing projected westward. A bay window and bowed verandah were added. Around the turn of the century, from 1899 to 1910, the house underwent another major transformation. A third story with a gambrel roof was added.
In the mid-20th century, a final major change took place. The servants’ quarters in the northwest wing were removed. The wing was cut down to one story.
Now, let’s venture to the barn complex. This red barn complex includes gable and gambrel-roof sections. Distinctive cupolas adorn the structure. A silo stands as one of the farm’s most prominent features. The barn complex consists of three sections. They sit one behind the other.
The entire structure is clad in clapboard. It’s trimmed with corner boards and fascia. A fieldstone foundation supports it. The front part faces the street with a gable end. This design is typical of the mid-19th century.
Visible framing members reveal empty joist pockets. These indicate reuse and an earlier construction date. Directly behind the front section is a gambrel-roof section. It has its own double entry.
The Farmer’s Cottage was constructed in 1917. Noted Colonial Revival architect Joseph Everett Chandler designed it. It was assembled from existing outbuildings on the farm. Parts of it were likely a smokehouse and a carriage house.
The Wellington Farm’s story extends beyond its buildings. Thomas Pierce was the farm’s earliest owner. He likely built the main house around 1760. In 1770, John Brown of Cambridge acquired the farm. The Brown family owned it for over one hundred years.
In 1899, Samuel F. Clarke sold the farm to Robert B. Blodgett. Blodgett was a Boston merchant. In 1907, Arthur Wight Wellington purchased the farm. The Wellingtons continued to raise horses and cattle. The farm remains in the Wellington family.
The Wellington Farm stands as a testament to Weston’s agricultural history. It’s a reminder of a time when farms dotted the landscape. It is a treasure that connects us to the past. It also inspires us to preserve our agricultural heritage.