Some Facts about the Farm
Pomeroy Living History Farm sits nestled among tall firs in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains in southwestern Washington State. The Farm is an interactive educational museum that depicts domestic and farm life from both the early 20th century and modern perspective.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Properties, this farmstead includes the Pomeroy's log home built in 1920, a working blacksmith shop, barn, extensive herb and vegetable gardens, pastures and woodlot. The Farm utilizes living history as an interpretational technique to share with school children and the general public what life was like on a pre-electrical farm several generations ago.
School children explore the
farm through different half-day field trip programs, each tailored to the educational
development and interests of specific grade levels. Fourth
through sixth graders learn about self-sufficiency and recycling on
the farm through activities such as braiding rope from leftover
baling twine and digging potatoes from the garden. Second
and third graders learn about work and play on the farm, they do
many chores that were expected of children their age - from
churning butter to grinding corn and feeding the animals.
Kindergartners and first graders often have not yet developed a sense of history, so their program is tailored to learning about modern farms as our source of food. In the fall, they have a hayride and pumpkin patch experience.
In 2006 over 4,000 students participated in these programs.
On the first weekend of each month from June through September the Farm opens its gates to the general public so they too can experience farm life in the Twenties. Staffed by 20-30 of its over 100 volunteers, the Farm invites guests to wander about the farm joining the period-dressed interpreters in typical farm activities such as grinding grain, washing clothes, feeding and watering the livestock, and making ropes.
The farm is also a significant
heritage resource as Clark County grows and becomes more
urbanized. As homes and industries grow into the
countryside, farming becomes more and more something that goes on
somewhere else, far away. Pomeroy Living History Farm
remains a farm where an increasingly urban and urbane population
is welcome to experience farm life firsthand. The farm's
chickens, cows, goats, pigs, horse and cat are a great source of
excitement and wonder for children.
Five part-time paid staff develop and oversee the programs, provide volunteer training and supervision, and take care of the livestock. Executive Director Bob Brink taught in the public schools for twelve years and holds degrees in education and history.
The Farm is also an active member in the Association of Living History Farms and Museums (ALHFAM) located at www.alhfam.org.
Pomeroy Living History Farm is a not for profit, 501 C 3, public benefit educational museum.