Oak Grove Farm

Oak Grove Farm

Millis, Massachusetts 02054

Oak Grove Farm Commission webpate

About this Location

Oak Grove Farm is a historic First Period farmstead in Millis. The land on which the farmhouse stands has been farmed by English settlers since at least 1677 when Josiah Rockwood (also sometimes referred to as "Rockett") owned the property. Although maps show a house at the site in 1713, there is no other documentary evidence of the house until 1783, when a deed transferring the farm, with the house, was recorded. For much of the 19th century the farm was owned by the Lovell family; it was purchased by Lansing Millis (the namesake of the town) in 1879. Millis, a railroad executive, established a dairy farm on the property, and gave it the name "Oak Grove Farm". His family used the property as a summer residence until 1883, after which he converted the house into a boarding house for the farm workers. By 1893 (after Millis' death) the farm was reported to be the largest dairy farm in New England.

In the 20th century, the property changed hands a few times but remained in use as a dairy farm. In 1984, with a sale planned to a developer, the town purchased the property as one of the last open spaces near the town center. The farmland has been converted for use as recreational facilities, and the house has been restored and is managed by the town as a rental property.

The farm was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.

Features

  • Restrooms on site

  • Wheelchair accessible trail

  • Entrance fee

Content from Wikipedia

Last updated February 10, 2024