Summertime is the busiest season at the Dudley Farm Museum with the farmhouse open for tours, gardening activities and the Farmers’ Market in full operation, however the farm does remain active year round. It is a small working farm with livestock appropriate to the late nineteenth century including chickens and hopefully will include other livestock in the future. Early morning and afternoon visitors might watch as fresh eggs are collected from the hens on a daily basis, while maple sugaring occur seasonally.
Available year round, the hiking trails at the farm that connect to Guilford Land Trust trails offer a unique opportunity to enjoy the grounds in the quieter fall and winter months.
Farm Animals
The Dudley Farm hosts a flock of chickens. Also the sheep have returned to The Dudley Farm.
Enjoy a visit next time you come.
Photo by Barbara Hanson
Community Garden
We have a total of 19 organic plots which can be leased by members of the community (subject to availability).
The Community Garden was first established in 1994, in what has now become the farm’s Heritage Garden that is planted annually with heirloom vegetables and flowers and located just south of the large pasture.
Several years later the lower meadow was leased to several organic growers. In 1999, The Dudley Farm Museum received certified organic status for what today has become The Dudley Farm Community Garden.
Currently the garden has 19 full plots, a few of which have been divided in half.
Community gardeners pay a fee for the seasonal use of a garden plot, and agree to follow prescribed organic gardening practices.
Between 2009 and 2011, Dudley Farm Museum volunteers and Community Garden members made significant improvements to the garden area by clearing trees, designing and building a garden shed, installing a new watering system and expanding the parking area. The Guilford Savings Bank provided grants for the cost of materials while volunteers supplied the necessary labor. Many of the gardeners have become Foundation members and support other museum programs.
Although the number of garden plots is limited, The Dudley Farm Museum plans to offer organic gardening workshops and news updates to the wider community. See News & Events for additional information.
Inquiries may be made through the website or by leaving messages at 203–457–0770 for the Community Garden Coordinator, Judy Stone.
Flower Garden
Our flower garden has been planted with antique varieties of roses and flowers, including peonies, Dutch iris and daffodils, and is maintained by our volunteers.
North and east of the farmhouse are remnants of an earlier and larger flower garden probably dating back to the late nineteenth century. Evidence suggests that this was Martha Munger Dudley’s garden. In his 1919 will, her husband, Erastus Dudley, gave Martha life use of this garden.
The flower garden south of the farmhouse was designed and planted in 1997. Early photographs of the farm show flowers in front of the house and ornamental vines growing up the porch columns providing shade and color in the summer.
Today, this garden has been planted with antique varieties of roses and flowers,
including peonies, Dutch iris and daffodils, and is maintained by our volunteers
Jerri Guadagno, one of the original “planters” can be found throughout the summer working in the gardens. She is willing to share her expertise with any volunteers willing to lend a hand. Jerri can be contacted through the farm office, at 203–457–0770.
Herb Garden
The Herb Garden, shown in these photos, was designed and planted in 1997. The garden contains many varieties of herbs commonly found in gardens in the late 1800’s and is anchored by a an antique millstone in the center.
Volunteers have lovingly maintained the garden, located just east of the farm house. In addition to spring and fall clean up, weeding chores during the growing season, the plants in the herb garden need to be dug up and divided periodically to ensure healthy growth. If you are interested in helping with our gardens please phone the Dudley Farm at 203-457-0770.
