Happenings at Hardman Farm: March 2020 Edition

Now open 7 days a week in 2020!

10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Last tour departs the gift shop at 3:00 p.m.

March 2020

Welcome to the monthly e-news from Hardman Farm.

Site Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ~ 7 days a week

February-December

706-878-1077

143 Highway 17

Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571

Visit our website HERE

Happenings at Hardman Farm...

Hardman Farm celebrates 150 years!

Hardman Farm is Georgia's newest state historic site. The site began operating very limited tours the first couple of years, then graduated to a 4 day operation. In just 5 short seasons of being open to the public we have grown to a 7 day operation employing 10 staff members. We have also welcomed an amazing 1-mile A.D.A. paved riverside trail, grounds lighting and a functional smokehouse during this time. Hardman Farm is GROWING and we thank YOU, our guest and stakeholders, in helping us succeed.

February began our first year operating 7 days a week and a month earlier than usual. The weather has been unpredictable with snow one week, floods the next and the daffodils did not get the memo that it is still winter because they are in full bloom in these parts.

The 2020 season is our special 150th Anniversary year! Hardman Farm was established by Capt. Nichols in 1870. In addition to our regular annual events, we have added many special 150 ^th events throughout the year! Visit our website or Facebook page to view all event details. We have a great 2020 planned and hope you will join us for one of our special events this year!

Wood Burning Stove Restoration Project Underway

Our mantra at Hardman Farm is, "bringing the farm back to life." Every year we try to complete projects that allow visitors to experience and interact with the history of the farm. This winter we sent off our 1940's wood burning stove to be restored to working condition. Special thanks to Antique Appliance in Clayton, GA, for a job well done! Our hope is that guests will experience the tradition of woodstove cooking during some of our events like Mountain Farm Celebration and Victorian Christmas. Imagine delicious buttermilk biscuits with smoked sausage or ginger snap cookies made with Hardman Farm grown sorghum, yum!

February Snow Days

On February 8 ^th and 9 ^th , the Northeast Georgia region enjoyed the first significant snowfall in quite some time. In case you missed our post on social media, we thought we would share this gorgeous snowy photo of the farm.

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Grounds Lighting Project

If you haven't visited the farm in a while, you'll notice some significant changes on your next visit. We have been anticipating this project for a number of years and are happy to announce that the lighting project will be completed this spring. If you have ever attended one of our evening events such as Victorian Christmas, you know all too well that the grounds have no lighting and oftentimes require the use of a flashlight to find your way back to your car. This year at Victorian Christmas the Unicoi Turnpike and parking lot will have these antique style, down-lit pathway lights to allow you to find your way after dark.

VOLUNTEER NEEDS:

There are several areas of volunteer needs in 2020 such as: reenactors, folks with pioneer skills, working horse drivers, event planning, fundraising and more.

The Farm is always in need of gardening volunteers . If you love digging in the dirt, 150 year old farms and all natural veggies then we NEED YOU!

If you are interested in volunteering please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Mike Kaiser, at [email protected].

Picking up the restored wood burning stove at Antique Appliance in Clayton, GA.

Snowy landscape of Hardman Farm during our February snow day.

March Schedule of Events:

Saturday, March 28 ^th

11 AM - 1:30 PM

Remarkable Women of Georgia & Hardman Farm

Come celebrate Women’s History Month with special lecture by author Sara Martin Hines ( Remarkable Georgia Women) . After the lecture, take a tour of the Mansion and be greeted by some of the remarkable women who called Hardman Farm home (12:00 PM - 1:30 PM). The lecture is free to attend and will begin at 11 AM. Regular admission rates apply for tours. Space is limited. RSVP on our event page HERE .

Saturday, March 28 ^th

10 AM - 3 PM

Farm Animal Fun Day & Emory Jones Book Signing

Over the years, Hardman Farm has been the home to several species of livestock. Come visit and pet some furry friends here on the Farm as we continue our journey to "bring the farm to life" and keep the American agricultural experience alive. Grounds admission required: $6 per person.

Hardman Farm celebrates its past with Emory Jones, author of "Distant Voices: The Story of the Nacoochee Valley Indian Mound." He will read excerpts from his new book, "The Valley Where They Danced." This post-WWI historical novel features scenes from Hardman Farm. Hear excerpts prior to your tour and then bring back questions for Mr. Jones afterward.

Save the Date!

We have 2 spectacular 150th Celebration Events coming up in April.

Be sure to make plans now to attend!

Thank you for subscribing to the Hardman Farm newsletter! If you are interested in supporting the work of growing Hardman Farm into a living history site there are many ways to get involved. Consider becoming a Friend of Hardman Farm, volunteer to assist with programs or special events or share, like and post on our social media pages.

We look forward to seeing you at the Farm!