Farm Days @ Waters Farm in Sutton, MA

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A light blue, black, and white striped header image with the words Farm Days Waters Farm Sutton, MA

Rounding out my long weekend of New England History, on Sunday, October 16, I volunteered at the 42nd annual Farm Days, held at Waters Farm in Sutton, Massachusetts. The festival is based around the farm house and property of the Waters family, some of whom still volunteer at the event. Their ancestor, Stephen Waters, built the original red house in 1757, and subsequent generations added onto the building.

Close-up of a red wooden Federalist style home with white trim A long, brown, two-story building with many windows and a pair of white doors. Inside a wooden building with a low ceiling. An iron stove, wooden cabinet, and modern green chairs are on the floor, while a sign reading 'Waters Family Reunion' is hung on the wall. A large early 18th century fireplace A piano with a pair of violins in a glass case on top it. Corner of a red wooden building, with a backdrop of orange fall trees Wooden shelving filled with ceramics and antique cooking ware An antique tall clock on a staircase Waters homestead and Pennie Putnam's Peddler's Shop among fallen orange leaves The previously seen fireplace with a fire in it View of a field, fall trees, and water People milling in front of a wooden barn

A favorite fact of the family is that the rare Sutton Beauty variety of apple was developed on the farm. The Waters family lived in the house for six generations, until Dorothea Waters Moran donated the home and its contents to the Town of Sutton. Since then, Waters Farm Preservation Inc has done a remarkable job preserving the property and hosting fun community events. The homestead has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1985, and those records may be digitized in the future.

A bright orange tree at the end of a dirt lane near a wooden fence Three girls lead cows past a wooden building Metal fencing with a warning sign surrounds bee boxes A sign for SIMPLICITY, and details about the tractor of that name A metal sign with cutout letters reading in part 'Sutton Beauty Fancy Red' A commemorative sign in a wooden frame bearing the Blackstone Heritage Corridor logo and a lithograph image of a tree branch An intricate family shield for the Waters family, including a blue shield and three swans An informational sign about the life of Stephen Waters, original builder of the homestead An informational sign about the life of John Waters, first person born on the homestead.

A special treat at Farm Days was the large show of antique cars and tractors. I admittedly know little about how these machines work, but I was impressed by the quality and variety at the event. Cars ranged from Model Ts and classic Mustangs and novelty vehicles, like a Nydam Oil tanker and an early hearse. The tractors ranged in size in color, with several running their engines for demonstration.

A baby blue antique Ford pickup truck Two antique tractors. A green John Deere and a red tractor. A green and white antique oil tanker owned by Nydam Oil A 1950s blue car A 1960s blue car An early 19th century red car A blue and white 1950s car A row of antique blue cars. A gray hearse built on the chastise of a Model T Detail of a decal on the hood of a light blue FORD F-100 Signage describing the history of the Model T hearse

Waters Farm is important to the Sutton community and to New England history as a whole. Events like Farm Days make history accessible to people of all ages and provide an opportunities for parents and grandparents to talk about their family history to children. Many visitors find it easier to access history through an informal house tour and by watching demonstrations than inside a museum. I hope the knowledge and enthusiasm of the costumed interpreters was contagious, so another generation has caught the history bug!

Location: 53 Waters Rd, Sutton, MA 01590, USA