Back in the day -- 1816 to be exact -- A Quaker named Joseph Thorn built himself a nice little farm in Cherry Hill. And although modern farmers are probably delighted with the advances in farming technology, visitors to Historic Barclay Farmstead like seeing things done the way they were done in Thorn’s day.
Listed on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places, Barclay Farmstead is a living time capsule depicting farm life from almost two centuries ago.
Stop by the 32-acre estate and you'll see lots of original and restored buildings including the old forge barn, corn crib and farm house with its large open-hearth kitchen. You'll also find interpretive nature trails and the Plant-A-Patch garden which will set your green thumb to itching. Community gardeners rent a patch of land to do their own modern-day farming in 25 ft. x 25 ft. plots.
Kids can get a hands-on farming experience during the annual Living History Days while high school kids can learn farming techniques through the Barclay Farmstead’s apprentice farming program. After learning about centuries-old farming techniques, kids get to dress up in 1800s clothing and join in candle-making, blacksmithing and other traditional activities.