B
enjamin Whitmore and his family ventured into the Monocacy Valley in the 1760's. He came from Lancaster County, PA, looking for opportunity and available land. The original homestead was built of chestnut hand-hewn logs felled on the property and over the years was changed and added on to. The rear wing of the house, built of local stone, was added on in the early 1800’s. The Whitmore family successfully farmed this land for many years. We chose to name the farm in honor of the family who originally cleared the land and built it.
Sadly, the property entered a period of decline after it was no longer farmed, probably in late 1970’s. The summer kitchen and adjacent spring house burned down and are currently in ruin alongside the main house. Weeds and trees began taking over the property and the barn was neglected.
We purchased the farm in November, 2003. The reconstruction of the house took place over a 2 year period, and continues to this day. In the Fall of 2005, the house was finally habitable, we moved in and began focusing on the barn, pasture renovation, fencing, and acquiring our breeding stock.
...For more information about the Whitmore Family Farms and Close properties, visit the Emmitsburg Area Historical Society Archives.