The Farm House "Strangers visiting Woodstock and desirous of seeing such objects of interest as the town affords, would do well to take a view of Mr. Billings's new farm house. It is now nearly, if not quite, completed, and is ready for occupancy. From cellar to ridgepole it is just about perfect, and is not surpassed, if indeed it is anywhere near equalled by any other establishment of the kind in Vermont. The basement in particular is thoroughly built and arranged with great care and skill for dairying operations and the like." The Vermont Standard Woodstock August 14, 1890

he historic 1890 Farm House at Billings Farm was built as a multi-purpose addition to Frederick Billings's expanding farm operation in Woodstock, Vermont. Fully restored to its 19th century heyday, the house contains a business office for the farm manager, an apartment for the manager and his family, a creamery, and an adjoining ice house. It was a model farm house, incorporating state-of-the art creamery equipment, as well as many indoor conveniences. The house exemplified the farm's role as a model dairy operation in Vermont and Frederick Billings's determination to apply progressive solutions to practical agricultural problems. The farm house examines the beginnings of the Billings Farm, when Frederick Billings and his farm manager George Aitken developed one of the finest agricultural operations in Vermont and triumphed at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. This drive toward excellence continues today at the farm with its fine herd of Jersey cows and other livestock. The farm house also expands our interpretation of late 19th century Vermont. The museum's farm life exhibits depict the values and lives of Vermont farm families during a time when their way of life was threatened by shifts in the agricultural economy. The house illustrates the progressive solutions that Frederick Billings introduced to help maintain that way of life and ensure the survival of Vermont's agricultural heritage. Through self-guided tours and intensive "live-in" experiences, visitors and students to the farm house are educated about daily life on this farm a century ago. Original Construction and Restoration The construction of the house began in 1889 and was completed a year later. Boston architect Frederick W. Stickney designed the building. The first occupant of the house was George Aitken, Billings Farm's first professional farm manager. Aitken lived in the house with his wife and four daughters from 1890 until his death in 1910. Thereafter, the house continued to serve as a residence for managers of the Billings Farm and other farm staff into the 1980s. The creamery remained in operation into the 1930s. Extensive physical and documentary evidence was used to restore the building to its 1890s appearance. Scientific paint analysis revealed the house's original paint colors. Receipts in the Billings family archives confirmed the specific colors chosen. Architectural books and trade journals of the period outlined 19th century aesthetics. The same attention to detail and historical accuracy also guided the interior restoration. The creamery was thoroughly examined to determine location of the original equipment. Bills and receipts from the Vermont Farm Machine Company outlined the exact creamery equipment installed in 1890. The result of this meticulous restoration effort is not only an authentic Victorian-era building complete with restored office, creamery, and living quarters, but a unique multi-faceted farm house that provides educational opportunities to examine and experience daily elements of life on this farm in the 1890s. Billings Farm & Museum Route 12 & River Road P.O. Box 489 Woodstock, VT 05091-0489 802-457-2355 ~ Fax: 802-457-4663 Visitor Information || Special Events || Billings Farm || 1890 Farm House || Exhibits || School Visits || Group Tours || Membership || Museum Shop || News & Publications || E-mail || Home Copyright 1999-2002 Billings Farm & Museum. Photography Copyright 1999 Jon Gilbert Fox. Developed and maintained by Interactive Media Advertising Group, Inc.