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Chase Farm
by Ari Grebstein
Chase Farm, officially known as Chase Farm Park, is one of
Lincoln’s finest historical treasures. It consists of seventy
acres comprised of fields, picnic sites, trails, gardens, and
sled riding trails. On the property sits a 2 1/2 story early
Victorian house. This house represents just one aspect of
Chase Farm’s rich history. The preservation of fields and
stone walls enhance the rural and open character of the Great
Road district.
Chase Farm was originally purchased by Thomas Arnold in 1661.
Throughout the years, Chase farm passed through many hands. It
became part of the Chase family in 1867 when Benjamin Ellery
Chase and his wife, Alzada, bought 118 acres for $10,000 from
the then current owners, the Whipple family. Charles Thornton
Chase then purchased the land from his parents, Benjamin and
Alzada, for a minimal fee of $100. Charles then married Alice
Crawshaw, and the couple later sold the Chase property to
their son, Benjamin Ellery Chase. Benjamin then married
Wilhelmina Gladys in 1921, who became the sole owner of the
land in April of 1974 after Benjamin’s death. Ultimately, on
May 10th in 1979, the town of Lincoln bought Chase
Farm as an open-space area for $94,500 from Wilhemina Gladys
Chase. Wilhemina continued to live in the Chase house until
her death on May 13th, 1987.
In addition to the to the genealogical history of the Chase
Farm, other activities associated with the farm are also
intriguing. In 1895, when the first pasteurizing equipment
became available, the Chase farm began operations in the dairy
industry, which continued until 1965. The Chases were known
for being very conservative in the dairy business. They had
local routes limited to Lime Rock, Lonsdale, Saylesville,
Fairlawn, and occasionally Central Falls and Pawtucket. The
cows kept on the Chase farm were of the Holstein variety,
known for a higher production of milk than other cows but not
as rich in butterfat. But it may not have only been the type
of cows that were responsible for the high quality milk. Music
was played while the workers milked the cows. Although it was
said that the music was intended for the benefit of the
workers, some people thought the music was responsible for
increasing the quality of the milk.
The rich history of Chase Farm would not
be complete without describing the physical evolution of the
area. A fire, estimated to have occurred in 1925 or 1926,
destroyed a barn located behind the Chase’s house. The fire
was caused by lightning which actually went through a
neighboring house. Not only was the barn destroyed, but the
horses were killed. In response to the fire, Benjamin Chase
bought a neighboring farm, known as the Butterfly Farm. The
Chase Farm then became known as the Chase and Butterfly Farm,
although it was still referred to as the Chase Farm. Visiting
the Chase Farm is a worthwhile trip, and understanding the
history will add to your fun and enjoyment that much more.
Bibliography:
Rhode Island Historical Preservation
Commission. Statewide Historical Preservation Report P-L-1.
Lincoln, 1982.
Klyberg, Albert T., and Peter L. Moreau. Hannaway
Blacksmith Shop and Chase Farm: A Report and Recommendations.
Lincoln, 1990.
Town of Lincoln. http://www.lincolnri.org/parksandrecreation.shtml.
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Lincoln, RI