Our first farmstand was built in 1952. It was erected by cousins Don and
Alan, aided by their wives, Betty and Lynne. It was little more than
a shed, but still, for the Wilsons, it seemed like a palace. The stand was replaced with a larger
all-weather building in 1965, and a decade later, it was modified again and,
as some staffers remarked, seemed downright plush. (It had heat and
electric cash registers!)
Move forward two decades, as Scott Wilson and his wife Didi find they can't
keep their eyes off every New England barn they pass. On a mission, they
found themselves trekking for miles through New York State and almost every
town located in the New England colonies - barn gazing. They soon knew what
they wanted: an authentic 18th century barn with an open, airy interior and
all the charm and warmth that only comes from a real barn. Goal: to erect
a timeless structure that would stand proud, and yet, fit snuggly in the
cocoon of the surrounding landscape.
Logging oh, about 2,000 miles, and consulting with their friend Tommy Silva
from "Silva Brothers Construction", they met and hired expert timber framers, Benson
Woodworking of Alstead, New Hampshire. After interviewing 15 architectural
firms, they settled on architects Bechtel, Frank and Ericson of Lexington.
Soon, something was shaping up: a barn to be exact. A barn the whole
family - and every customer would love.
Unveiled in 1996 (amazingly closing a mere 2 hours early to make the move)
and heralded by a ribbon cutting by town Selectman, the entire Wilson
family, and friends.
The 8,500 square foot barn was built of recycled
lumber with only four joints containing metal, everything is pegged
together. The former homes of the timbers included: a US army arsenal in
Minnesota, the Royal Typewriter factory in Hartford, and from places as far
away as Idaho, Washington, and Salt Lake City.
In 2000, the barn was joined by a state-of-the-art 37,000 square foot
greenhouse; now a favorite touring site for local and national growing
associations.
 
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