How many towns can boast their own demonstration farm offering a wide variety of programming to its residents? I would venture to say not very many! Thanks to the foresight and generosity of Mr. Charles Hunter who left the property to the Town of West Hartford when he passed in 1961, West Hartford residents are fortunate to have Westmoor Park as a public education and recreation area for all ages to enjoy.
According to the park’s website, the first known owner of the land that is now Westmoor Park was John Merrill, purchased by him in several large tracts from 1683-1700. When Mr. Hunter purchased the property in foreclosure in 1939 from the Hartford Connecticut Trust, it had seen many owners.
Over the years the property served a number of purposes, including its use as a dairy farm by the Flagg family (the current address of the park happens to be Flagg Road). One owner, Lt. Raymond Ellis, started the Westmoor Fox Hunt in 1925 and formed the Westmoor Farms Polo Club. He was the first to name the property “Westmoor”.
Upon purchasing, Charles Hunter and his wife Leila bought some additional acreage and used the farm for boarding horses for friends and family. Mrs. Hunter was an avid gardener and one of her perennial gardens is still maintained on the property. Part of the Hunters property is also utilized as a community garden today.
Over the years my family has visited the park countless times, whether to visit the barnyard animals, attend seasonal events, school sponsored field trips or participate in vacation camps and after-school programming. Westmoor Park truly has something for everyone – if you find yourself in West Hartford, pay it a visit!
This post is part of the weekly Thursday Door series sponsored by Norm 2.0. Check his site for more interesting doors contributed by bloggers all over the world. See some of my previous entries here and here.
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My name is Deb Cohen, and I am a lifelong resident of Connecticut, a lover of all things historic and New England, and a realtor who helps buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals and dreams. When I’m not working, I enjoy life with my husband, our two adult children, and our two rescue pups. Renovating and decorating our historic home, dating to 1800, is another favorite pastime.
Thanks for mentioning the CT Barn Trail. Wow. I would not have known. This is definitely something I would like to explore. http://connecticutbarns.org
Awesome! Let me know if you do!
Lake Farmpark, http://www.lakemetroparks.com/parks/farmpark/, in Ohio is similar to this and such a great opportunity for children who will never see a real farm.
janet
So very true! Hard to believe that’s the case with so many children!
Great photos, Deb. I love old barns, we have a few here that have petting zoos – great places to bring the grandchildren when they visit.
Yes! Animals are always a hit with the little ones.
I love the random placement of the doors on the right hand side of the building. Eclectic for the time period, don’t you think?
It is eclectic! I imagine with these old barns they were always adding on or changing without much thought to aesthetics!
What a wonderful story, I love that places like this are still available and open to the public. I will definitely look this place up the next time I’m down that way. Thanks for sharing it 🙂
It is quite special! West Hartford was almost all farmland in its infancy but became very populated in the earlier part of this century due to folks moving out of Hartford into the ‘burbs. Now there is almost no farmland left so I’m glad we have this tiny piece of our history available to us!
Oh that’s nice 🙂 Its history and its current use — nice find 🙂
I just love a big red barn, and this building certainly evokes that same sense of tradition and warmth.
By the by, if you ever stroll through those perennial gardens, I would love to see photos of those as well.
We actually have a barn trail here in CT that I would love to follow one day! Will definitely try to get back to Westmoor in the spring for some garden shots 🙂
Lovely door, story, and community park.
Thanks, Judy!
When I first moved to CT, I lived in West Hartford and I remember visiting this park. Places like this are so wonderful to find throughout New England.
It is a true local gem! My kids just loved going there when they were small and we still pop in when my niece comes to town.