PRINCETON NJ Announcement

Howell Living History Farm Announces Expansion on Valley Road

Trenton, NJ — Mercer County Executive Dan Benson announced the expansion of Howell Living History Farm through the purchase of a 6-acre property on Valley Road. Howell Farm is a free County park where visitors can experience life on a working, circa 1900 farm. Every year, more than 10,000 local school children and 55,000 other visitors come to experience horse-powered plowing, maple sugaring, cider pressing, corn and wheat harvests and many other hands-on activities.

The preservation of this additional land adds a significant piece of history to the Farm and helps protect the natural and historic landscape of the area. The property's house and the sheep barn (pictured below) were built by a local farmer, John Smith, prior to the Revolutionary War. Smith was a descendant of a family that had been established north of Trenton since the late 17th century. The original property included a sawmill that provided lumber, timber frame, and fencing materials for the surrounding valley.

The County will extend Howell Farm's interactive programming to the new property. Future plans include the establishment of a historical sawmill that will be used for public education, and the production of sustainably harvested wood materials for use across the County's park system.

"Growing tourism opportunities is a top priority for Mercer County, and is a big reason why we launched Mercer County's first ever office of tourism," said County Executive Dan Benson, "For over 40 years, Howell Living Farm has provided an incredible education and recreation opportunity for guests from all over the state. Expanding Howell Farm's footprint will only enhance this experience."

Howell Farm is part of the Pleasant Valley National Rural Historic District, which is listed on the National and New Jersey Registers of Historic Places as an outstanding example of an agricultural landscape from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Residents can learn more, and see a full schedule of activities, by visiting howellfarm.org