SJ Attr.: Historic Barclay Farmstead

Historic Barclay Farmstead, Cherry Hill's "Living Heritage," offers visitors an opportunity to observe and participate in Early American Quaker farm life. The centerpiece of the property is a restored, fully furnished federal-style brick farmhouse built in 1816 by Joseph Thorn for his family of eight.

History
In 1826, Joseph W. Cooper, a sixth-generation descendant of the founder of Camden and the owner of Camden's Cooper Ferry, acquired the 168-acre property as a retreat to escape the city's hot summer days. Eventually, "Chestnut Grove Farm," as it came to be known, was passed along to Joseph Cooper's great-granddaughter, Helen Champion Barclay, who sold more than 100 acres of the property to developer Bob Scarborough in the 1950s, resulting in the surrounding Barclay Farm development. Helen Barclay sold the remaining 32 acres of the Farmstead property to the Township of Cherry Hill in 1974, where it has since been maintained as a park and history museum.

Now listed in the National and New Jersey Registers of Historic Places, the Barclay Farmstead offers public tours, programs & events throughout the year. The Farmstead is also home to Cherry Hill Township's unique "Living History Education Program," through which costumed guides educate visiting school groups about early 19th century Quaker farm life and demonstrate traditional crafts such as spinning and weaving, blacksmithing, quilting and more.

A true treasure of the past, the Farmstead is owned and maintained by the Township of Cherry Hill, with the assistance of the Friends of Barclay Farmstead, a volunteer organization devoted to continuing restoration and support of historic programming.

Things To Do
During a visit to the Barclay Farmstead, enjoy a tour of the historic farmhouse, enjoy a stroll along the scenic nature trails, spend some time at the new playground, and be sure to visit the Museum Shop, which carries a unique selection of Cherry Hill and Farmstead memorabilia, books, toys, gifts and reproductions of interest for all ages.

Plant-A-Patch
If you’ve got a green thumb, you can take part in Barclay Farmstead’s Plant-A-Patch program. For more than 25 years, Cherry Hill Township has sponsored Plant-A-Patch, a community gardening program at the Barclay Farmstead. Each season (April - October), more than 100 gardeners maintain and harvest their own garden plots on original farm fields. The program also features a free lecture series and the annual Harvest Dinner, held each August. The fee for a standard 25 x 25 foot patch is $15 per year. The Township provides water hook-ups and free mulch. Gardeners are responsible for maintaining their individual plots. For more information, or to add your name to their 2003 Plant-A-Patch Waiting List, please call the Farmstead at (856) 795-6225 or e-mail info@barclayfarmstead.org

Special Events
Throughout the year, there are exciting events scheduled at the Barclay Farmstead. Special event days like “Living History Day” and “Holiday House” will be scheduled later in the year. The following events and workshops are currently scheduled:
Be My Valentine Workshop, Tuesday, February 11th at 7pm.
Impress your sweetheart with a hand-made expression of your love this Valentine’s Day. Kim Borochaner of the Scrapbook Station in Voorhees will show you how to create beautiful and unique cards with just a few basic supplies. You may never need to visit a card store again! Pre-registration is required for this workshop.

Beginning Counted Cross-Stitch Workshop, Tuesday, February 25th at 7pm
You’ve seen beautifully stitched samplers in antique and craft shops, and now you can learn how to create your own future heirloom. Join Marcia Farrell from the Embroiderer’s Guild of America for a beginner’s guide to counted cross-stitch. You will learn proper stitching technique, as well as how to recognize fabric, design markings, and symbols needed to successfully complete a project. Pre-registration is required for this workshop.

Create a “Charming” Bracelet Workshop, Tuesday, March 11th at 7pm
Laine Brainers, jewelry artist of Heart Beads, will guide participants in designing their own beaded charm bracelet. Select from a variety of crystals, freshwater pearls, and semi-precious beads to create your own piece of jewelry. Finish your creation with a silver clasp and charm of your choice to complete a bracelet as unique as you are! Pre-registration is required for this workshop.

Volunteers Needed!
You can help keep history alive by becoming a volunteer at the Barclay Farmstead. Volunteers are needed to offer tours of the farmhouse and to help out at the Farmstead’s annual events. For more information about volunteering, e-mail sragonese@barclayfarmstead.org or call (856) 795-6225.

Hours and Fees
The Barclay Farmstead is open Tuesday through Friday, from noon until 4pm, and on the first Sunday of each month, from 1 until 4pm. The Farmstead is closed on Mondays, Saturdays, and all township-observed holidays. There is a $2 fee for non-Cherry Hill residents, and a $1 fee for non-Cherry Hill senior citizens and children under 12. Groups tours are available, but you must call in advance to make arrangements.

The Farmstead is located at 209 Barclay Lane, off Route 70 East, in Cherry Hill. For more information, call (609) 795-6225 or visit www.barclayfarmstead.org.

For an extensive list of South Jersey Attractions, with links to websites and other information, check out our Attractions page.

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Author: R. Cohen