Howell Living History Farm visitor center is unveiled

On Saturday, the farm, located in Hopewell Township, will officially open its new visitor center, built close to the parking area.

By John Tredrea
   Since Howell Living History Farm opened to the public 20 years ago, visitors to the farm have faced a 400-yard uphill trek — along a dirt path that sometimes turned quite muddy — from the parking lot to the 19th century farmhouse that’s barely visible from the parking lot, where staff would meet and greet visitors.
   Until now, that is. On Saturday, the farm will officially open its new visitor center, built close to the parking area. The center, which cost nearly $1 million, was dedicated with a ribbon-cutting on April 24, with County Executive Robert Prunetti and other officials on hand.
   "This center sends us into a new era of Howell Farm’s history," Mr. Prunetti said. "It will provide many educational services in addition to serving as a destination point."
   The new visitor center, designed by architect Daniel Rew of the Princeton-based firm of CUH2A, is 3,500 square feet. It has office space, a classroom, gift shop, a kitchen and shower.
   County officials and farm staff estimate the new center will host more than 50,000 visitors annually, many of them school-age children.
   As they have been for two decades now, these visitors to Howell will learn how farms were operated in the 19th century. Activities include sheep-shearing, ice- harvesting, maple-sugaring and potato-harvesting.
   The visitor center’s official opening Saturday will coincide with the farm’s 20th annual sheep-shearing program.
   Pete Watson, longtime director of Howell Farm, hailed the opening of the new visitor center.
   "It could be very tough for visitors with walking limitations, such as a wheelchair, to make it to the farmhouse at the top of the hill," he said. "This will make what we offer here much more accessible to everyone."
   The visitor center is the first phase of a new reception area at the farm. The second phase, an 1,800-square-foot barn, will be added later.
   Howell Farm is in a scenic area of rolling hills, off Valley Road and Woodens Lane in northwestern Hopewell Township.
   EDITOR’S NOTE: The farm originally was a gift to Mercer County from late Pennington residents, Charles and Inez (Howe) Howell.
   Mr. Howell once served this area and his state as U.S. congressman. He, according to a reliable local source, held that office for years. Old-timers will remember him and his successor, former longtime Congressman Frank Thompson Jr.
   Mr. Howell later served his state as commissioner of Banking and Insurance.
   Mrs. Howell was a daughter of the late William P. Howe, founder of Howe Nurseries — the business that was responsible, in great part, for planting many of the trees that line Pennington’s streets.
   The Howells lived in the historic house at 54 E. Curlis Ave., Pennington. Our source tells us that a wooden sign on the property says: "Hart’s Hollow — the John Hart house, circa 1772."
   To celebrate the anniversary, the Park Commission has planned a day which includes a flag-raising ceremony, herding demonstrations with Border Collies, sheep shearing, sheep herding, hands-on activities for children, food, music and more. A commemorative bookmark featuring Howell Farm wool will be given to each visitor.
   Shepherd Linda Fossetta of Blairstown will highlight the program with sheep- herding demonstrations at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Ms. Fossetta will use Border Collies to work the flock and to introduce visitors to herding techniques.
   Sheep-shearing demonstrations will take place at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. In keeping with the farm’s time period, shearers will use hand shears. Children can crank a set of circa-1900 automatic shears, the precursor to electric shears.
   Throughout the day, visitors can meet twin lambs, help clean a sheep with special brushes, and try their hand at spinning wool. Wool products and natural fleeces will be on display and for sale. Baked goods and lunch fare will be available in the farmhouse throughout the day.
   A children s craft program, "Little Loom," will be held in the farmhouse on a walk-in basis from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost is $2. Groups of eight or more must preregister. For more information, call the Mercer County Park Commission at 737-3299 or visit the farm Web site at www.howellfarm.org.