After several years of searching high and low, across forests, fields, rivers, and streams, at properties near and far and everything in between, Merrohawke in 2020 was invited to put down roots at a beautifully restored, historic property in Boxford known as iFarm LLC. This property was the home of the Towne family from 1777 to 1934. The restored 19th-century farmstead includes a barn, farmhouse, carriage house, and several outbuildings. Christine Barensfeld, who lives nearby, rescued the site in 2009 to protect it from being demolished and developed into multiple house lots. Instead, she set forth and followed a vision to preserve the past and create a place where people could reconnect to the earth and each other through educational opportunities and community partnerships.
The restoration, which incorporated preservationists, architects, craftsmen, and artisans, began with gradually peeling away layers of “modern improvements,” until the buildings were returned to their more original, simpler state. This process earned iFarm LLC a Massachusetts Historical Commission Preservation Award in 2016, complementing an earlier designation in 2012 as a National Historic Place. Ms. Barensfeld’s tireless efforts have resulted in a most beautiful setting for children to grow strong by nature, just, perhaps, as generations of Towne children did here, a century ago.
The land spans 19 acres and includes a diverse landscape of forest and fields, creeks and ponds, and a perennial herb garden. Abutting to the south is the Price Reservation, an 80-acre parcel of woodland owned by Greenbelt, Essex County’s Land Trust, and beyond that is the Boxford State Forest, which spans more than 1,000 acres spread across the towns of Boxford, North Andover, and Middleton (much of it originally Towne family farmland). Oh, the places we can go!
Merrohawke is pleased to have negotiated an agreement with iFarm LLC for use of the farm structures and 19 acres of property. Merrohawke's co-founders, Kate & Capt. Rob Yeomans and their sons, live in the farmhouse as on-site caretakers. Merrohawke's dedicated staff began offering educational programs on-site in September 2020, alongside our long-time, existing programs held on the Merrimack River, and at sea aboard the F/V Erica Lee.
Towne Farm is located at 55 Towne Road, Boxford, and open to the public during program hours only, or by appointment.
