Have you ever imagined a farm surviving centuries of change? Welcome to Wright-Locke Farm a living testament to Boston’s rich agricultural past. Right here on this land Indigenous Massachusett and Pawtucket people thrived for generations before colonization. They carefully managed the land burning woodlands to improve harvests and hunting. They planted corn beans squash and other crops using sustainable methods still practiced at Wright-Locke Farm today.
The story of Wright-Locke Farm goes far beyond the plants though. In 1636 a Massachusett leader signed a deed giving part of this land to a colonist. This wasn’t a simple land sale. The deed contained a clause allowing the colonists to forcibly remove Indigenous people after the leader’s death. This highlights the painful realities of colonization and land dispossession. The Indigenous people were evicted from their ancestral home. Wright-Locke Farm’s history serves as a poignant reminder of this injustice.
In 1638 the Town of Charlestown established a new community here. John Wright and his descendants owned the farm until 1800. Then Philemon Wright sold it to Josiah Locke Sr. Philemon later emigrated to Canada where he helped found the first white settlement in the Ottawa region. A brass plaque on the farm commemorates this milestone in Canadian history. A smart detail perhaps few notice.
The Locke family expanded the farm to 182 acres. Asa Locke built the current farmhouse in 1828. Around 1920 George Locke constructed the unique Squash House a well-ventilated heated building that stored up to 200 tons of Blue Hubbard squash a local variety. These large squashes were prized by Boston’s finest restaurants. We still grow them today honoring the farm’s legacy.
The farm changed hands again and again. It faced near development several times. In 2007 the Town of Winchester bought the entire 20 acres for $14 million. This prevented the construction of hundreds of houses. This courageous act preserved not only the farm but also a piece of Boston’s history.
The Wright-Locke Farm Conservancy now manages the farm. They continue its agricultural tradition and offer educational programs. The farm buildings are a showcase of early New England farm life. They are on the National Register of Historic Places. The farmhouse barn icehouse and Squash House stand as silent witnesses to generations of farming and community. Wright-Locke Farm isn’t just a farm. It is a living museum a place where history agriculture and community converge. It’s a place where we can learn about the past and build a better future.