On a recent trip to McKenzie’s Farm Stand in Milton, NH, to purchase blueberries, peaches, and their famous apple cider donuts, I noticed a large yellow barn. Well to anyone who always carries a camera, you know what that means – turn around and check it out.
Much to my surprise it was the New Hampshire Farm Museum, which is a working farm that includes the Jones Farm and the Plummer Homestead both dating back to the late 18th century. They offer tours, special events, summer day camp, and a country store that sells fresh heirloom vegetables, eggs, and NH made products like maple syrup.
It wasn’t open, but there were four women, two in period dress, meeting on the front porch while the free-range chickens grazed.
I walked around a little and saw this tiny little house on the side of the property.
The sign said it was a ‘Ten Footer.’ Hmm – a ten-foot square 19th century shoe shop where families could store their tools and make their own shoes as well as extras to earn money. Interesting.
Big barn door or little Ten Footer door – I liked them both. Here’s hoping you do too. History lesson thrown in for free. 🙂
Linked to Norm Frampton’s Thursday Doors, August 6, 2015.
I found this so interesting (once my eyes settled down–they kept flitting back to “apple cider donuts.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Apple cider donuts rolled in cinnamon sugar. 🙂 I bought a half a dozen and we’ve rationed them out. I just ate my last one. They are delicious, and I wish I could share because I would. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m with pbmgarden–you had me at the cider doughnuts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My grandmother made home made donuts when I was growing up – great memories since I slept upstairs in their old farm house and would wake up to the smell coming up through the floor register. These are the closest to hers I’ve found. They are GOOD. 🙂
LikeLike
I like them both as well. the big barn door is impressive, but the Ten Footer is so cute (and practical). I like that for even such a tiny structure there is a nice sense of design. Great choice and it sounds like very good eating.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you and your family had lived in that era, you definitely would have had a Ten Footer in your back yard, I just know it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have a 10×12′ shed, but it’s dumpy and utilitarian. Of course, when I built it, cost was a major issue. I think I have to put it on the renovation list soon.
LikeLike
What a charming place – doors both large and smaller included! This reminds me of the “House of the Seven Gables” era when you could open part of your house as a shop and sell whatever you wanted to without government interference or regulation! Just a society getting by, sharing talent.
I wonder if that yellow and green were the original colors on these buildings?
LikeLike
I went back to see if I could find anything about original paint color but after scanning through a 22 page document about all of the windows, doors, trim, mantles and handwritten notes, I couldn’t find anything about the paint. It would be interesting to know though. 🙂
LikeLike
What a great old homestead and so nice that is being maintained and there is activity surrounding it. And homemade donuts……well, that just seals the deal!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love both of them…the colors of the paint and the style…such a beautiful old homestead!
LikeLike
Two lovely doors indeed, but apple cider donuts!!!??? Okay that’s it, I’m jumping in the car right now 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
And, I didn’t even mention they are rolled in cinnamon sugar. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your history lessons — and your photographs are pretty special, too! Happy Thursday!
LikeLike
I can never resist stopping at places like this, and that seems to be a very unusual paint color for barn and outhouses, but I like it! Glad you took time to explore. My eyes kept flitting back to fresh blueberries 😀. Ok, donuts too!!
LikeLike
The blueberries were almost the size of a dime, and they were delicious. Of course, the donuts were delicious too. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed the history lesson, of course, the building is beautiful, too. It reminds me my own shed could benefit from a lot of TLC!
LikeLike
How idyllic! I just bookmarked this farm to my ‘local things to do’ list. I love seeing places similar to where my ancestors might have lived and just walk and inhale. Thanks for this, as usual, interesting post.
LikeLike
Glad you liked it. I want to go back when it is open too, and I just may have to stop at McKenzie’s and pick up a fresh back of donuts. LOL
LikeLike
Love that little 10-footer (and its brightly painted door). It’d make a nice little retreat cabin. 🙂
LikeLike
Yes, it would. I could see books being written or art work being created. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the doors, both the large one and the smaller one. I also love all the color in your photos.
LikeLike
Like that combo of green and mustard yellow.
LikeLike
Your pictures are making me crave maple sugar candy, something that only tastes good in New Hampshire (or Vermont!)
LikeLike
Here’s to those of us who appreciate really good maple sugar candy that is a little dry on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside – yum. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing a bit of the history, along with these photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So fun to just come across these things.
LikeLike
That little TenFooter is just gorgeous Judy! What a fascinating snippet of history too 🙂
LikeLike
Such an interesting place, I love the little ‘Ten Footer’ so cute and colourful.
LikeLike
What great discoveries, Judy! I’m sure I could find room in my garden for that sweet, little ‘Ten Footer.’ I’m already thinking about how I would decorate it. 🙂 ♡
LikeLike
Great gardening minds think alike. LOL I’ve had my husband pursuing Pinterest looking at little potting sheds he would consider building for me. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The little house is cute. 🙂
LikeLike