(Left to right) Cathy Vitale and Kay Himmelman get a tour of the house from Roy Benner
September 20, 2014
On Saturday, September 20, 2014 the Goshen Farm Preservation Society, Inc. held its Fall Open House. The Society is in the process of restoring this historic jewel built in 1783 and preserving the remaining 22 acres of woods and fields. The event and parking were free. Light refreshments were available for a donation.
Grounds Committee Chairman, Roy Benner, and Building & Maintenance Committee Chairman, Stu Bailey, conducted guided tours during the Open House. This was the first time that the farm house was opened to the public since the restoration effort kicked into full gear about two years earlier. The house was closed while the Society worked to make the house free of all contaminants. Many people commented on Roy’s narrative on the history of the house and his easy, interactive delivery of information.
Over 100 visitors were also able to use the Walking Trail, which highlights some of the most significant features on the land around the house, and attend an educational talk on soil health at the soil health pit dug by the Midshipmen Action Group from the Naval Academy. The talk was presented by Dean Cowherd, Assistant State Soil Scientist, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. They also were able to tour the Sharing Garden and the Colonial Garden planted with crops that would have been growing at Goshen Farm in the 1700’s.
In a brief ceremony, Certificates of Recognition were presented to
Dean Cowherd (left) accepts his certificate.
• Joan Machinchick, an original Board member and the talented graphic artist who created the Goshen Farm logo, letter head, and designed the book on Goshen’s history (written by Barbara Morgan);
• Nicole Neboshynski, a former Board member who was the driving force behind establishing the Sharing Garden and coin the motto, Get Dirty, Eat Fresh;
• Dean Cowherd who has conducted many soil health programs for Goshen Farm and worked with the MAG group to design and dig the soil health pit;
• Patti Feldt who did all of the paperwork for establishing Goshen Farm as a 501(c)3 and took the lead in negotiating the lease with the Board of Education; and
• Sam Gallagher, former President of the Cape St. Claire Improvement Association, Inc. and one of the earliest supporters of Goshen Farm. Sam’s help was crucial in the Society’s efforts to forestall the demolition of the house so it could be preserved.
Sam passed away earlier in the year and Barbara, his wife, accepted the award. The Society also announced the creation of a Memorial Grove to honor deceased friends of Goshen Farm. The first tree will be planted in Sam’s memory.
Some notable supporters who also came to visit were Cathy Vitale, State Delegate and Steve Gunn, Editor of The Capital.
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