Click here to have free, daily alerts sent straight to your inbox for all your Westford news.
An Open House will be held on Saturday, Oct. 24, 1-4 p.m. when the public is invited to tour the historic Westford Town Farm (Almshouse) building.
Tour Westford’s Historic Town Farm Building
Saturday, Oct. 24 @ 1 to 4 p.m.
35 Town Farm Road, WestfordÂ
Tour Westford’s historic Town Farm, located at 35 Town Farm Rd, the Farm was part of the 170 acres of land purchased by the town from John Reed in 1824. Local town farms began long before welfare and social security systems were established, cities and towns were responsible for their impoverished residents.
Westford’s large two story brick Town Farm building was completed in 1838 and many families were taken in for short periods of time, others stayed for years. Those that were able, were expected to help with farming and housework. The town farm has also been referred to as the Almshouse, Poor Farm and Westford Home, Town Home and Infirmary. For over 130 years it mainly housed Westford’s poverty stricken residents, but it also was used to hold prisoners!
The Town Farm closed in 1959 when the last resident was transferred to the Tewksbury State Hospital.The large two story brick building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008. It has been used in recent years for the public school administration offices and for the recreation recreation department. Tour the old Town Farm building, our docents will share with you the history of the building and the people who worked and lived there. (Face Masks Required) Parking available. Donation $5 per person/$10 per family
About the Westford Historical Society and Museum
The mission of the Westford Historical Society is to promote the understanding and appreciation of Westford’s unique history to the community. By providing programming that features aspects of the daily lives, activities and achievements of Westford residents, we strive to expand and enrich understanding of how our town continues to evolve. We foster an environment of teaching and learning that strengthens our sense of community. We will collect, preserve and exhibit documents, photographs, objects and sites historically significant to Westford, and encourage outside efforts to do the same.
