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Hampshire was not really settled until the 1800s and this particular farm was established in 1825.

Sitting on 100 acres The Poore Farm is an example of how people lived; making do with what they had.
Everything they needed was made right here on the property, including the woven rugs that were on
the floors and can still be seen in the house. As there was no extra money or stores to shop at, if you
couldn’t make it you really didn’t need it. This particular farm had cattle, horses, sheep and chickens in
addition to apple orchards and extensive gardens. Over the many years much of what was cleared
fields has been reclaimed my Mother Nature with only a few old apple trees indicating where the
orchards once were. Today they are the feeding grounds for deer and bears.

Stepping into the house is like stepping into a time capsule. The first thing you notice is that there never
was any indoor plumbing or modern appliances. The good news is that they did having running water,
though it was cold water feed by a stream uphill from the farm. This gravity fed system assured that the
house had constant running water. Refrigerating was provided by that same cold water. A great deal of
credit goes to Linda Tillotson for the amount of work that went into preserving, organizing and
cataloging much of the items that are on display in the house.

A trip to the barn revealed an assortment of tools used in everyday life on the farm. From hand-made
wooden spigots for collecting maple sap to a variety of horse and oxen powered plows, skidders and
wagons are on display for all to marvel at. A visitor can easily spend the better part of a day, or more,
researching the history of the North Country at this one location.

All too soon my tour was complete, and it was time for me to head home. The information gathered

during my short time in the North Country left me wanting more. The people up here are great and
treated me like family, even though I was a flatlander. After my visit I truly have an even deeper respect
for our outdoors
and for those
who came before
me. If you are in
the North
Country please

stop by The
Poore Farm
Museum in
Stewartstown.
They are a non-
profit
organization,

staffed by
volunteers and
operate on
shoestring
The Poore Farm Museum
budget. They are
629 Hollow Rd Rte 145
a worthy
Stewartstown, NH 03676
organization and
can use your (603) 237-5313

help. info@poorefarm.org