About the Farm
In 1772, twenty-two-year-old Matthew Harvey arrived in Sutton and began building what would become one of New Hampshire's most distinguished family legacies. He constructed the Harvey Homestead, acquired great wealth, and served his community extensively as church deacon, selectman, tavern keeper, and state representative. When he died in 1799, Harvey was Sutton's largest landowner, leaving behind five sons and two daughters who would carry on his tradition of public service.
Matthew's eldest sons, Jonathan and Matthew 2nd, served both New Hampshire and the nation with remarkable distinction for over half a century. In an extraordinary display of family political power, Matthew 2nd served as Speaker of the New Hampshire House from 1818 to 1821 while Jonathan simultaneously served as President of the State Senate from 1817 to 1823. Their Congressional careers spanned ten years, with Jonathan's desk positioned near future presidents James Polk and James Buchanan, as well as Tennessee's Davy Crockett. Matthew 2nd went on to become governor of New Hampshire and was appointed United States District Judge by President Andrew Jackson, serving until his death in 1866.
Harvey descendants lived at the Homestead continuously until 1941, maintaining an unbroken record of over 150 years before the property was purchased by the family of Robert Stannard Bristol. Bob Bristol transformed the land back into a working dairy and chicken farm until the mid-1960s, serving as Sutton selectman for 41 years. His vision and generosity preserved the property as a working farm museum, stipulating in his will that agricultural operations continue and that the museum support New Hampshire's rural farming traditions. Today, under co-farm managers Jodi Hedderig and Dave Janas, the farm produces vegetables, fruit, flowers, hay, and cordwood while maintaining over 200 of its 250 acres under conservation easement, keeping agriculture alive as it has been for parts of the last four centuries.
In 1772, twenty-two-year-old Matthew Harvey arrived in Sutton and began building what would become one of New Hampshire's most distinguished family legacies. He constructed the Harvey Homestead, acquired great wealth, and served his community extensively as church deacon, selectman, tavern keeper, and state representative. When he died in 1799, Harvey was Sutton's largest landowner, leaving behind five sons and two daughters who would carry on his tradition of public service.
Matthew's eldest sons, Jonathan and Matthew 2nd, served both New Hampshire and the nation with remarkable distinction for over half a century. In an extraordinary display of family political power, Matthew 2nd served as Speaker of the New Hampshire House from 1818 to 1821 while Jonathan simultaneously served as President of the State Senate from 1817 to 1823. Their Congressional careers spanned ten years, with Jonathan's desk positioned near future presidents James Polk and James Buchanan, as well as Tennessee's Davy Crockett. Matthew 2nd went on to become governor of New Hampshire and was appointed United States District Judge by President Andrew Jackson, serving until his death in 1866.
Harvey descendants lived at the Homestead continuously until 1941, maintaining an unbroken record of over 150 years before the property was purchased by the family of Robert Stannard Bristol. Bob Bristol transformed the land back into a working dairy and chicken farm until the mid-1960s, serving as Sutton selectman for 41 years. His vision and generosity preserved the property as a working farm museum, stipulating in his will that agricultural operations continue and that the museum support New Hampshire's rural farming traditions. Today, under co-farm managers Jodi Hedderig and Dave Janas, the farm produces vegetables, fruit, flowers, hay, and cordwood while maintaining over 200 of its 250 acres under conservation easement, keeping agriculture alive as it has been for parts of the last four centuries.
Type of Foods Inside
Vegetables
- Fresh seasonal produce
Pantry/Other
- Locally made honey
Vegetables
- Fresh seasonal produce
Pantry/Other
- Locally made honey
Photo gallery
Contact Details
Products
Producers
