Our homestead journey

   Embarking on a homesteading journey and restoring a historic property is an exciting and challenging undertaking. For my family, it was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream to live a simpler, more self-sufficient lifestyle and restore a 1700's stagecoach inn and tavern.

   The property had been abandoned for years and was in disrepair, but we saw the potential in the property's rich history and beautiful surroundings. We were drawn to the challenge of restoring the historic property to its former glory while building a self-sustaining homestead on the land.

Our first step is to clear the overgrown fields, repair the barns and outbuildings, and create a garden. We started with a few chickens, sheep, and geese, and a small vegetable garden this spring, as we gain more experience and confidence, we will expand to include a family milk cow, extensive gardens, and canning facilities.

Restoring the stagecoach inn and tavern is a more challenging task. The building had been neglected for decades and required extensive restoration work to bring it back to its former glory. Last fall we worked with local contractors and historic preservation experts to carefully restore some of the building's historic features while making necessary updates to modernize the space. We mainly focused on enclosing the building to protect it from further damage from the elements. 

One of the biggest challenges of homesteading and restoring a historic property is learning new skills. We have to learn how to grow our own food, care for our livestock, and restore a historic building. But we found that the learning process is becoming one of the most rewarding aspects of our journey. We have gained a deeper appreciation for the value of hard work, patience, and persistence.

As we work on our homestead and the stagecoach inn and tavern, we hope become more connected to the local community. We would love to sell our products at local farmers' markets and hosting events with our food truck at the inn to share our love of history and sustainable living with others.

Embarking on a homesteading journey and restoring a historic property is not for the faint of heart. It requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and a willingness to take on new challenges. But for us, it is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream to live in harmony with nature, history, and each other.

xo

Chrystal