Farm Operations
Martin Van Buren Nat’l Hist Site
As with most farms, the operations at Lindenwald varied with the seasons and the years and the constant effort to better the farm. The poles to your left are used to cultivate hops using the techniques of the nineteenth century. Over his years of ownership, Van Buren tried many different agricultural innovations at Lindenwald to increase productivity and profitability. Hops were one such experiment. It was at least a two year test because hop vines do not produce a crop the same year as planted. The task to establish a new hop field include planting root cuttings, fertilizing with manure and weeding the first year, then setting poles and training the vines the second year. Despite the work, 1851 was the only year a hop harvest was recorded at Lindenwald.
Hops are fascinating. This perennial plant may remain productive for twenty years and they can grow as much as two feet in one week. Female plants produce the green flowers used in brewing. The plant dies back every year and reappears the following spring. These plants survive from Van Buren’s experiment.
Sidebar (under photo of old farm office): >
A building known as the farm office was located just to your right. The farm office was an eleven foot square, one story building with doors on three sides. The office was constructed sometime after 1797 by the original owner of the mansion, Judge Peter Van Ness. It was removed about 1960. Why were there three doors in such a small building? The answer is unknown. Give it your best guess.
The office may have been used by Lindenwals’d farm foreman. Farm operations at Lindenwald were usually overseen by a hired manager. Van Buren’s first farm foreman was John R. Harder who in 1839 directed improvements to the fields, gardens and orchards. The President also hired farm hands, as needed, while personally acting as manager for several years. His last foreman, Isaac Collins, lived with his family in the white cottage visible across the fields to your right.
Marker is on Old Post Road, on the right when traveling south.
Courtesy hmdb.org
