The new Lauer Historical Farm was opened to the public for the first time on Sunday (8/12/18).
The farm is named after founding Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Parks District commissioner Ann Nunley Lauer. The property features several buildings including a restored bank barn and a farmhouse furnished with 1940's furniture and decor. The Parks District hopes the farm will bring a historical aspect to the parks system that was not there before.
"We want it to be something of a historic value where people can come learn about how life was on the family farm back in the 1930's and 1940's," says JAMPD Deputy Director Tyler Black. "It's been a really positive reaction. Everybody's really excited to see the house and the barn and seeing where they could possibly have some reservations in the future."
Although the Lauer family never actually lived on the farm many of the items inside the house were actually owned by Ann and donated to the park by her daughters.
"This is the best way of a legacy for my mother," says Julia Nunley, Ann's daughter. "I couldn't think of anything better for many reasons. One, it's a park. Two, it's a Depression-era working farm park, and my mother was raised during the Depression. But the fact that a part of my mother lives on forever is very, very cool."
The Parks District hopes to keep a garden on site and hold canning demonstrations at the house, as well as one day hopefully having farm animals there.
