Lawr Farm

History

This parcel was bought by Thomas Kelderhouse in 1861. After his death in 1884 his son, James, inherited the property ,and in 1889, deeded 40 acres to George and Louisa Burfiend Lawr, who then purchased 80 adjacent acres and built the farm; all of the buildings date to the 1890s. George Lawr was the son of a Scotsman and his mother was from New York. He came to the United States from Canada in 1871. He and his wife Louisa, Carsten Burfiend’s daughter, farmed here until 1945. Since that time the farm has had several owners, including the Curriers and the Chapmans. Between 1999 and 2006, Shielding Tree Nature Center was an adaptive-use partner for the farm through an agreement with the Park. They helped to restore the chicken coop and the barn.