Bela Squire (1786-1861)

On June 20, 1821, 34-year old Bela Squire purchased a house, barns, and 380 acres of farmland along the west branch of the Farmington River in Barkhamsted, Connecticut (100 East River Road). He was one of six taverners for the Town of Barkhamsted, operated a blacksmith shop next to his tavern, and was active in Barkhamsted town affairs. For forty years, Bela raised his large family on this land running a successful farm and tavern until his death on October 5, 1861.

Today the Squire's Tavern is home to the Barkhamsted Historical Society whose goal is to "preserve and disseminate the history and culture of the Town of Barkhamsted." The Tavern is bustling with restoration activities including new installations, archival work, and structural improvements. Through the efforts of many volunteers, the Tavern is a lively, evolving tribute to historical life in this rural community.

Garden Planning

In January, the planning started for a historic kitchen garden. The Barkhamsted Historical Society granted permission and research began. Old Sturbridge Village historic documents, papers, and articles provided extensive information on gardening and farm life from 1790 - 1840.

Primary source documents were consulted for garden methods,

vegetables were identified that were common in New England kitchen gardens of the time period,

and specific varieties of seed available in catalogues during the early-to-mid 1800s were researched.

Seeds were ordered from Monticello where Thomas Jefferson grew over 300 varieties of vegetables for his culinary delight. Growing hops in 19th Century New England was researched and plans were made for securing hops rhizomes (Mt. Hood and Willamette) to plant in the garden. Soil samples were taken and sent off to UCONN Soil Nutrient Analysis Laboratory for testing. Last, donations of herb and vegetable plant starts were secured from White Flower Farm.

And finally in early May the garden was staked out,

four beds measuring 7 feet x 4 feet with a 3 foot wide walkway, in preparation for digging and planting.

Installing the Garden Walkway

On the Saturday before the garden was set to go in, Erik Landgraf and his wife Helen Ann arrived to lend their expertise in putting in the walkway for the garden. The two worked steadily as a well-coordinated team taking turns removing sod and carting away full wheelbarrow loads to the treeline bordering the far end of the property.

By lunchtime the earth walkway had been carved out leaving clean edges along the sides of the four garden beds.

Replenished with sandwiches and cookies, the two returned to fill the walkway with rock dust. Again taking turns, one shoveled in the rock dust while the other tamped it down with a 40-pound hand tamper. The echoing thud bounced off the forest hills noting good work as the rock dust compacted making a solid walking surface.

While the walkway was being installed, a perennial plant sale was held on the front porch of the tavern to raise funds for the project.

As it turned out, enough money was raised from the sale to cover most expenses incurred over the course of the project.

The Garden

The day dawned cool and rainy -- too rainy for the rototiller. That meant lots of heavy labor breaking sod and turning soil.

Sarah Bailey, West Hartford Master Gardener Coordinator, hopped to the task and soon had the first bed free of sod. The other three workers chipped away shovel by shovel.

As the morning progressed, what started off as four workers doubled in number as more Barkhamsted Historical Society members strolled out back to see the progress.

The heavy clay soil was turned over and composted chicken manure, 10-10-10 fertilizer, and lime incorporated to amend the soil.

A restoring lunch of cassoulet, bread, and ice tea was enjoyed by everyone and the garden was soon planted.

For a finishing touch, a tripod of eight-foot cedar poles was placed in the outside corner of the southwest bed where Scarlet Runner Beans were sown. Cardinal Climber seedlings were planted and trained to the poles to get a head start on adding some color.

The day was complete with good company, good food, and a feeling of satisfaction with a job well done.

Installing the Hops Poles

We had the great fortune of receiving help from Joe Bazzano and Pleasant Valley Fence Company with installing the 16-foot hops poles at the east end of the garden.

Joe and his crew arrived first thing in the morning with their auger and drilled two holes three feet deep into the outer corners of the bed.

Much like a barn raising, the poles were hoisted aloft, placed in the holes, and held steady.

Next using a 12-foot step ladder, an 8-inch bolt was set in the pre-drilled hole where the posts crossed near the top and fastened down with a washer and nut.

The holes were backfilled with earth, tamped down, and the structure was secure.

The garden was now complete.

Thank You!

Many individuals were responsible for creating this historic kitchen garden. The list of names grew over the course of five months, resulting in a collaborative community effort that crossed town, county, and state lines. Many thanks to all of you for your time, talents, gifts and support.

• Ted Bachmann, Barkhamsted Historical Society
• Janet Bailey, Barkhamsted Historical Society
• Sarah Bailey, Hartford County Master Gardener Coordinator
• Ed Barden, Barden Farm, New Hartford
• Joe Bazzano, Pleasant Valley Fence Co.
• Bonnie Boyle, Barkhamsted Historical Society
• Wayne and Dorthy Chase, Oregon
• Don and LaVonne Donihue, Massachusetts
• Patricia Eldredge, Litchfield County Master Gardener Coordinator
• Fred Fenn, Barkhamsted Historical Society
• Paul Hart, Barkhamsted Historical Society
• Joyce Hemingson, White Flower Farm
• Erik & Helen Ann Landgraf, East Hartford
• Linne Landgraf, Barkhamsted Historical Society
• Charles McDermott, Eli Terry Jr. Middle School
• Michael Ream, Barkhamsted Historical Society
• Doug Roberts, Barkhamsted Historical Society
• Bill Sanders, Barkhamsted Historical Society
• Gary Travers, Winsted