Justin Smith Morrill Homestead

04/10/2026

Hooray! The restoration work is starting at The Justin Morrill Homestead site. Engineer and contractors were there today and they should break ground by Monday.

Meanwhile, we want to thank our amazing volunteer, Trina Gay, who is working alongside the Friends Master Gardener, Barbara Paulson and our Gardens & Grounds Committee members and the state landscape architect and engineer to help re-design the kitchen garden in the spirit of Senator Morrill with an eye to inclusive universally designed walkways and experimentation with plants and shrubs.

The Friends are grateful for the many volunteers who help our work of bringing back the educational and historical significance of the Senator's Homestead a reality.

Here is a DRAFT of the possible way the new Kitchen Gardens and walkways will look in 2027. Thank you to Trina Gay for her professional illustration of how the gardens may look in the future.

www.morrillhomestead.org

03/13/2026

In case anyone was wondering about the enpty fruit and nut garden at The Morrill Homestead...Trees are coming down as part of a major project this summer to address drainage issues at the site which have caused damage to Morrill's 1848 home. This work was planned to start last summer but has been delayed to begin this summer. Meanwhile, the trees removed were mostly not planted by Morrill but were volunteers that grew in the last 100 years. They were not in good shape and they were a hazard to the Morrill House and to the neighboring house.

Anyone interested in the work at The Morrill Homestead should consider coming by the site on June 27th at 10 am when James Duggan, Director for Preservation at the Vermont State Historic Sites, will give a talk and explain the work being done to address the drainage problems.

www.morrillhomestead.org

03/08/2026

The anticipation for spring at the Homestead is happening! And while we wait for snow to clear, the Friends are happy to announce a new website launch for April and events scheduled despite our site still closed for necessary restorations.

Stay tuned for our new website and events to be announced!

www.morrillhomestead.org

01/21/2026

Great conversation between the Friends of the Morrill Homestead and the State Division for Historic Preservation. Beginning to re-envision the new design for Morrill’s garden after restoration work is completed at the site. Much work awaits us and we value the support from so many kind folks who help make our historic site a place to be proud of.

L to R— Josh Bell, Jon Stableford, Barbara Paulson, Jamie Duggan, Trina Gay, Charlotte Faccio and Kumari Patricia

www.morrillhomestead.org

01/19/2026

Pausing to remember what it means to hold onto a Dream and to serve others with a Vision towards Inclusion and Voice.

Happy Martin Luther King Day.

www.morrillhomestead.org

12/20/2025

Wishing our friends near and far a beautiful Winter Solstice and Peaceful Holiday Season from the Friends of the Morrill Homestead.

www.morrillhomestead.org

12/06/2025

Thank you to Eric Bragg for an outstanding Apple Pruning workshop today. Almost 50 brave and rugged souls came to The Homestead orchard with their questions for Eric. It was a successful event and we are grateful to our sponsor Humbiont Fermentary.

Stay warm this winter and get those trees pruned before sugaring season!

www.morrillhomestead.org

12/06/2025

Bitterly cold Saturday December 6th but that does not stop Eric Bragg from pruning our Morrill Homestead apple trees. Eric, a local arborist, will meet and answer questions and instruct on best pruning practices Saturday 10-11. Dress warm and we will have some hot cider for you!

Free event but The FMH gratefully accept donations.

Thank you to Humbiont Fermentary for sponsoring this event.

www.morrillhomestead.org

11/26/2025

As we approach A Day of Giving Thanks, The Friends of the Morrill Homestead want to express their gratitude to everyone who supports a sense of place in history, contributions of leaders who show up and represent us, and the efforts to restore purpose, justice, and the ethics that we pride ourselves on as Americans.

The Friends are so grateful to our supporters who help our programs and events continue even when much needed restoration must close our site. Your donations and your faith in our work is what keeps our energy high and our spirits optimistic.

We wish you a bounty of love and peace at this Holuday Season.

Your Friends of the Morrill Homestead

www.morrillhomestead.com

11/05/2025

Mark Saturday, Dec 6th onto your holiday calendar because Eric Bragg returns to The Homestead to teach and share his amazing knowledge of pruning apple trees. Eric is a great instructor and from 10-11 he will lead a workshop on that Saturday and he will answer all your questions about your apple tree and fruit tree pruning.

This event is FREE but The Friends of the Morrill Homestead will gratefully accept donations.

You must register in advance so we can contact you if weather prevents this workshop.

www.morrillhomestead.org

Thank You to Humbiont Fermentary for sponsoring this Apple Pruning Event!

11/02/2025

Adam Sullivan of WCAX aired a short feature on The Morrill Homestead:

We continue our ‘We The People" series with a trip to the Justin Morrill Homestead in Strafford.

09/20/2025

What a beautiful day for a walk!

Consider joining John Freitag today on Sat, Sept 20th for his Historical Strafford Village Walk. Only $5 to learn about Senator Justin Morrill's relationship with many parts of our Village.

Meet at 11 am at The Morrill Homestead site at its entrance. The walk is free for children under 12 years old.

This is the final Saturday walk of the season and a wonderful way to learn and hear great stories.

The Friends are grateful to Strafford Saddlery for sponsoring this event.

See you at The Homestead!

www.morrillhomestead.org