In the middle of New England fall, there’s nothing better than heading to a local farm and picking up fresh apples, pumpkins and warm baked goods.
However, New Hampshire is not only home to various good farms to visit, but also various historical farms. In fact, the state’s oldest farm is over 100 years older than the country itself. Established in the 1630s, Tendercrop Farm in Dover is not only the oldest farm in New Hampshire, but also the second oldest farm in the country.
Here’s a brief history of New Hampshire‘s first farm, as well as how to visit this fall.
History of Tendercrop Farm
According to the previous reports from Foster’s Daily Democrat, Tendercrop Farm was first established under the name Tuttle Farm by Englishman John Tuttle some time between 1632 and 1638. Historical reports show that Tuttle likely landed in New England in a shipwreck off the coast of Maine, spending a few years in Ipswich, Massachusetts before making his way to what is now Dover.
Under a grant from King Charles II for a small plant of land between two rivers, Tuttle began to farm, and soon, the farm prospered, growing to be 240 acres at its peak.
Legend has it that President Abraham Lincoln visited the farm and purchased a bottle of Tuttle’s maple syrup, according to the New Hampshire Historical Society.
Tuttle’s continued to see lots of change and growth as it was passed down from generation to generation, including in the 1950s, the addition of a large red barn, now a popular landmark for the farm. Tuttle Farm stayed in the family for eleven generations until 2013, when it was sold to Tendercrop Farm owner Matt Kozazcki, reports New Hampshire Public Radio.
While no longer in the Tuttle family, New Hampshire‘s oldest farm continues to flourish today, offering seasonal pick-your-own crops, fresh produce and meats, an extensive collection of fresh flowers, ready-to-eat meals, a gift shop full of local homemade goods and fresh-baked goods like breads, cookies, muffins, scones and whoopie pies.
How to visit Tendercrop Farm
Want to see New Hampshire‘s oldest farm for yourself? Tendercrop Farm is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at 123 Dover Point Road in Dover. While Dover is the site of the original farm, Tendercrop also has two locations in Massachusetts, located in Wenham and Newbury.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald. Reporting by Catherine Messier.
