As I dream of going overseas for the entire winter, I decided to go somewhere local. Growing up on a small coastal town, farm life is somewhat alien to me. It would be a good idea to get a sense of domesticity on how life in New Jersey has been. Nothing significant historically happened here but you will appreciate how simple life can be, this, before wi-fi came in the picture.
The farm was once owned by the Longstreet Family for generations starting from 1700's till the family sold it to the state in the early 1900's. You may be able to visualize how a rural farm in New Jersey would be like in 1890.
The farm is now available to the public and is open year round, activities such as farm animals presentation such as duck herding and lamb shearing are only available during spring-summer season.
The farm has about 6 barns, two of those were horse barns and the rest were for storage and work stations. You would have to sense that this was well off farm, the horse barn alone can fit at least a half dozen horses.
Considered as a leisure carriage, the family used this on church functions.
Sleigh ride.
Look at the cute little lamb.
The lady above explains that lamb shearing is done every year, whenever wool is thick enough. She used scissors for shearing, she explained nowadays that electric razors are now used for a faster cut. I always thought that this is a man's job, I can picture you have to wrestle with the lamb in every inch of the cut. The lady seem comfortable enough and the lamb tame enough that the shearing went on for about less than 15 minutes.
The farm was once owned by the Longstreet Family for generations starting from 1700's till the family sold it to the state in the early 1900's. You may be able to visualize how a rural farm in New Jersey would be like in 1890.
The farm is now available to the public and is open year round, activities such as farm animals presentation such as duck herding and lamb shearing are only available during spring-summer season.
The farm has about 6 barns, two of those were horse barns and the rest were for storage and work stations. You would have to sense that this was well off farm, the horse barn alone can fit at least a half dozen horses.
Another evidence of the Longstreet's family opulence was the carriage collection from the storage barn. From the Sears catalogue during the late 1800's, an average price for a one horse wagon would be $17. I am sure it is a luxury on those days.
Below was the piano carriage, it is pulled by 2 horses, it is known to be used for ceremonial purposes. The Longstreet family used this carriage during a parade at a time President Lincoln was in town.
This carriage is considered a training wagon and used as a farm wagon.
Considered as a leisure carriage, the family used this on church functions.
Sleigh ride. Look at the cute little lamb.The lady above explains that lamb shearing is done every year, whenever wool is thick enough. She used scissors for shearing, she explained nowadays that electric razors are now used for a faster cut. I always thought that this is a man's job, I can picture you have to wrestle with the lamb in every inch of the cut. The lady seem comfortable enough and the lamb tame enough that the shearing went on for about less than 15 minutes.
Next entry would be the photos of the Longstreet house.
44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
(732) 946-3758
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