A Stroll with Farmer Dave
This summer, we have a new activity called A Stroll with Farmer Dave, where guests get the chance to ask Farmer Dave questions and hear some EHF history. The group of guests can be seen taking a stroll from the inn’s main entrance toward the lawn, as they listen to Farmer Dave talk about his experience working here as a young adult, the triumphs and perils throughout his and Sally’s ownership, and all of the changes over the years. The activity has been very popular so far, especially with the guests who have been coming for multiple years and have seen the changes Farmer Dave describes.
Here were some of the interesting questions and answers from this week’s stroll:
Q: How long has the Farm existed?
A: The property has been an Inn since 1946. Prior to being an Inn, it was a subsistence (self sufficient) farm for 3 generations.
Q: Who owned the Farm before the Adams family?
A: Parker Whitcomb, who eventually partnered with Dave and Sally Adams, before
selling all of his share to them in 1977.
Q: What sort of expansions has the property had since the Adams purchased East Hill
Farm?
A: The Farm has had many add-ons, expansions, and changes since it was purchased.
The main transformations were the expansion of the Main Inn to include
Grandmother’s Attic and the addition of Brick House, Trailsend, Sugar House,
Hideaway, Village Bunkhouse, English Cottage, and Olde Farmhouse. However, there
have been many smaller changes as well.
Q: When did the Inn start bringing the guests to Silver Lake?
A: The guests started going to Silver Lake when Parker Whitcomb owned the farm.
However, they went to the public access beach before our property came up for sale.
When the Inn first purchased the property, they used to serve one lunch a week there.
The menu consisted of hamburgers, hotdogs, watermelon, cookies, lemonade and even
beer!
Q: When did the old barn burn down?
A: The old barn burned down about 40 years ago and what is now the red and white cow barn was built in its place. Shortly after the new barn was built, they held the weekly contradance up in the hayloft. The large horse barn addition was built about 30 years ago.
As the summer continues, we hope to get even more interesting questions from the groups strolling around the Farm.
This Blog was submitted by Nora Bisaccio from our recreation staff. Thanks Nora!
What will you ask Farmer Dave?
Hello Farmer Dave,
I’ve recently visited The Inn for my third time just yesterday. At one of my visits, I attended your cheese making demo. I actually have a question about (what appears to be) an old inn on Rt. 124 as I’m driving from Jaffrey toward The Inn at East Hill Farm. Its on the right (is very close to the road as well) and has a great view of Mt. Monadnock behind it. This building looks like it was a hotel at the turn of the last century. Can you tell me anything about it? Now, it appears to be a private residence?
Thanks in advance. I look forward to my next visit to the farm.
Audrey Miller
Belchertown, MA
Hi Audrey-
The property you are referring to was an active summer guest house when I was growing up in Jaffrey during the 1940’s and 1950’s. It was the Mountain Shade House. I can picture the porches lined with porch rockers gently rocking the guests, mostly from Boston.
The Family that ran the business also maintained a subsistance farm, using much of what they produced in preparation of meals for their guests.
My sister worked there as a waitress in the early 1950’s.
The property has been in the same family for 3 generations that I am aware of. The current owner is a daughter of the family that ran the Mountain Shade House. It is maintained as a private residence now.
They have a great view of Mt. Monadnock. Many paintings and photographs have been produced from that site.
Thanks for your question. I’ll see you along the way.
Farmer Dave
That is wonderful- Farmer Dave is synonymous with this place.. and has so much to share – He is a wealth of knowledge in so many areas , everyone loves to hear him tell about his life, the Inn and what makes East Hill Farm special.
This is an awesome gift for guests…, and it is a lovely trip down memory lane for Dave and those of us who consider EHF a second home… Great idea. Roger used to enjoy those special informal chats with Dave so much
The morning Stroll with Farmer Dave has been very popular with guests, young and old. You are right, it is just as much fun for him to share his memories of East Hill Farm as it is for guests to hear for the first time.
Farmer Dave
We are coming out next year. I would be happy to help with any maintenance project your involved with 🙂
Dan Ruiz