TIMBER HILL FARM
FARM HISTORY
As one of the Lakes Region's first homestead farms, Timber Hill Farm's relatively short history has been defined by agricultural ingenuity and adaptability. The Farm was founded in 1784 on the rolling northern side of Meetinghouse Hill - the scenic apex location of Gilford's first meetinghouse, church and other settlement buildings (a few stone foundations are still visible from the road).
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In 1789 Revolutionary War Lieutenant Philbrick Rand's house was built at the intersection of the hillside road and the road to the lake. This house, and son Simon Rand's house directly across the road, still rest on their original foundations. Tragically, the original barn (pictured above, built in 1784) succumbed to an electrical fire in spring 2024. Memories of that beautiful landmark remain.
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Originally started as a small self-sufficient homestead with the traditional New England / English arrangement of assorted livestock supported by a small hay field, produce field and timber lot, the farm's history is marked by a near-constant metamorphosis. A larger 1800's commercial farm operation was primarily engaged in livestock, with sheep and dairy herds dominating the landscape. Similar livestock adaptations continued through agricultural decline in the 1900s, including rotating dairy, cattle and chicken.
Parkman 'Parky' Howe, Jr., a returning Naval officer from war in the Atlantic, and Howe family patriarch purchased Timber Hill Farm in the 1940's. The apple farm of those days harvested from over 1,000 trees before transitioning back to livestock (chicken & beef) and then once again to a dairy operation. Parky's son Andy inherited farm operations in the 1980's, while still in his 20's, he recreated a traditional New England Dairy Farm on the premise. Andy & Martina ran the dairy farm until 1989 when they purchased the old farm in the valley that then became Beans & Greens Farm. As Beans & Greens Farm, they hosted Farm-to-Table field dinners in the upper fields from 2011 until 2014.
​In 2015, Andy's eldest son, Isaac & his wife Jennifer partnered with Andy & Martina to fulfill a dream of a Farm-to-Table Event Venue. Isaac & Jennifer conceptualized and created the Farm-to-Table Weddings & Events Program which started taking place in the Howe Barn upon it's completion. With the birth of a newborn son in 2003, Isaac & Jennifer left the farm to pursue other passions and family life.
CONSERVATION & SUSTAINABILLITY
Today, few farms remain in town, with former fields and pastures now populated by the 'final crop' - the houses of modern-day settlers.
The majority of these remaining farms can endure through a combination of resourcefulness and conservation. Timber Hill Farm, and all Howe family farmland have been protected by conservation easements. This helps stave off the development of our town's last remaining open spaces.
A​​grotourism and adaptability of the farming community are essential elements for the future of any small New England farm. Beginning in the 1800s, farms offered room & board for Lake Winnipesaukee's first vacationers to subsidize their income. Ever since, farms have been seeking public connections and revenue potential in many creative ways. The Howe family was intimately involved in conceptualizing, several agrotourism laws in New Hampshire.
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Timber Hill Farm is committed to both a sustainable farming future and to protecting some of the Lakes Region's most historically important and agriculturally productive farmlands. We are honored to have you play a part in assisting the fostering of these lands.