Tucked between the hills of Huntington, West Virginia, you can travel back in time to Heritage Farm and get a quaint yet educational glimpse of our Appalachian roots dating back to the early 1800's. Resurrected log homes, barns, and even a church proudly stand on this breathtaking 500 acre farm. Their story begins like so many who felt the gentle pull of the quiet country lifestyle.
Mike and Henriella Perry never lived on a farm and both were raised in town. Due to a thriving career their busy lifestyle became hectic and Henriella suggested to Mike that perhaps Saturdays should slow down and become a family day so they began a new hobby that both adults and children would enjoy...antiquing! During the 60's Mike's parents purchased the farm, however, a great sadness came knocking on the Perry door with the death of Mike's father at the young age of 52. Afterwards, the farm became a refuge of sort and it was healing for the family and relatives to meet each weekend and fix up the old farmhouse. Soon afterwards, it became habitable and Mike's mother resided on the farm.
Over the years, Mike and Henriella began making major improvements to the old log buildings that were scattered here and there across the fields. An adjoining farm was finally purchased adding to the Heritage Farm acres. During this time they developed a curiosity as to how farm folks in the Appalachia region had lived, performed their chores with no modern conveniences, and how they adapted to the changes that came with the machine age. If one needed a wool coat East of the mountains, they could purchase the wool and hire a tailor. In rural Appalachia, sometimes a typical purchase such as a coat was unaffordable and coats were made by hand on the farm, from raising the sheep, sheering, spinning, dyeing and weaving the wool to hand sewing the coat. It was a hard life and it would be a shame to forget the ingenuity of the rural people.
As Mike and Henriella continued to make improvements to their own home which was a log cabin connected to the old smokehouse, the Perry's collected more and more antiques. It was during the 80's that they decided to make Heritage Farm into Heritage Farm Museum and Village. Soon the large old dairy barn housed only the extensive collection of antiques. Progress and change was slowly reshaping their own lives! They wanted Heritage to be different than most museums, in that the Perry's felt there was a story to tell of how Appalachia life changed from the agricultural days leading to the modern age for the average farm family. Heritage would demonstrate the day to day chores of rural Appalachia and the struggle to survive, the struggle to embrace these changes and the slow acceptance to advance towards progress. Old washing machines, the very tools that the worn hands of cobblers, blacksmiths and carpenters found so familiar, treadle sewing machines, and even old fashioned pharmaceutical remedies in their original glass decanters can be found in the lovingly restored log buildings. While there are too many implements to be named they are lovingly sheltered in six museums and various village buildings.
 |
| Corn Husking Pin |
By visiting Heritage Farm, one can see the progress made during the past two hundred years. During Spring Festival, Way Back Weekends, and Artisan Classes, the old ways are remembered and demonstrated through the talents of numerous and amazing volunteers allowing visiting friends a most fascinating up front and close encounter with all sorts of activities that appeal to everyone.
Only minutes from Interstate 64 it is easy to access and close to town, but once you step foot on the farm, you are instantly transformed and the current day's worries are soon forgotten. The five beautifully restored inns full of antiques keep you in the warm Appalachia spirit with spacious bedrooms, some with handmade quilts that softly tuck you in at night, all with modern kitchens and baths. There are animals to be petted, trails to be walked, and many log buildings for you to explore. There is even have a coal mine!
Come visit Heritage Farm! You will feel the warm hospitality as you walk around, and explore the past. Be sure to browse around the blog to see for yourself how the staff can make your visit most enjoyable and don't hesitate to contact Heritage Farm with any questions. Hope to see you soon and we look forward in sharing our blog with you!
Jill at Farm Girl Digital Designs
-5.jpg)
