History of the Site
The history of the 19-acre farmstead is still being uncovered. Originally a 119-acre parcel of land, it was the second pitch of land granted to Col. Jacob Davis who, in 1787 trekked north from Charlton, MA, with his family and became Montpelier's first permanent settler. The property remained in the family for the next thirty years, and the land farmed by Davis' son, Jacob Jr., until Frederick Marsh acquired it in 1833. In 1836, Marsh sold the property to Burrage Dimmock for $585, only to buy it back a year later for $2,000. The subsequent deed speaks of a new dwelling - believed to be the existing farmhouse.

circa early 1900s view of the farmhouse and outbuildings

Ownership of the farmstead remained in the Marsh family until 1857. Subsequent owners were William and Julia Peck (1857-1863); the Tabor family (1863-1931); Alphonse and Marion Lessard (1931-1937); Harvey and Pauline Pillette (1937-1938); and the Hoare family (1938-2001). Food Works, Inc., assumed stewardship of the site in 2001.

Traditional Building
As renovations proceed, numerous - often surprising - clues to the farmhouse's construction and chronology of evolution have been revealed. Examination of lath types and evident tool marks, for example, helps date changes to the interior configuration. Other sources of unexpected and sometimes baffling clues have been the roof truss system; discovery of what may be the earliest known dropped ceiling in Vermont; faux wood graining; casings of various levels of detail and sophistication; deep cavities within exterior walls in certain rooms; historic wallpapers in unlikely places; chimneys that begin or end mysteriously and much more.

Examination of these elements in conjunction with historical research will enable us to create a clearer picture of what has been happening here over the centuries. Our goal is to continue on this path of evolution with traditional and natural building methods while incorporating the practical needs and mission of our organization.

Significant Features
Windows: The majority of original windows are still in place and, of those, a high percentage  appear to be salvageable - deterioration has been delayed in part by extant exterior aluminum storm windows.

Of special interest are the floor-to-ceiling triple-hung sash in the east parlor, and the hinged interior shutters protecting the lower sash.

Doors: The majority of interior doors still in place appear to be original. Although some doors have been lost, in most cases enough evidence remains to facilitate accurate reconstruction and replacement.

Millwork: Millwork throughout the house is of varying degrees of complexity and sophistication, and clearly articulates the hierarchy of rooms. Elaborate window, door and fireplace surrounds in the east parlor, for example, in combination with other features, indicate that this was the most important room in the house. Other important elements include a delicately detailed newel post and curved banister in the front hall.

Wall coverings: There are an astounding number of wallpaper coverings throughout the farmhouse. A comprehensive study of these papers is currently underway. Determination of their ages and origins will aid in greater accuracy of dating the farmhouse’s original period of construction and subsequent modifications.

Floors: The majority of floors are either of narrow plank tongue and groove construction or employ wide boards nailed to a substrate. On the first level, floors on the south side of the house are generally in fair to good condition. Some are hidden under large sheets of plywood – these will be revealed and recorded once demolition takes place at the onset of the rehabilitation process. Floors on the north side of the house are, for the most part, in poor condition. These have buckled and heaved from a variety of causes. It is hoped however that many of the individual boards can be salvaged and reused in the rehabilitation of the property. Floors on the second level are generally in fair to good condition, and there too it is expected that much of the flooring material can be salvaged and reused.