HISTORY OF THE DAIRY FARM

The Dairy Farm offers a fascinating history of how 857 acres, of which Sunrise Organic Farm is a part along with surrounding property, came into the Hammond Family and later was purchased by the Naval Academy. Some of the oldest and historic houses in the County are on the property. How and why they got built and who had them built is, indeed, a thoroughly mesmerizing travel back in time. Early History At least two Hammond Families figure in both Virginia and Maryland history. The Hammonds we know through the Dairy Farm and Hammonds Connection are those who count Matthias Hammond as their ancestor, a gentleman farmer. He and his brothers, John and Philip, as well as Major John Hammond, their great-grandfather, are buried at what was first called Hammonds Addition a little Cemetery located on the Dairy Farm. Other Hammonds in this Maryland family are buried in St. Annes Cemetery in Annapolis. Matthias Hammond (b. 1748) inherited not only a great deal of money but also a keen business sense. He managed to accrue real estate while still successfully managing his various tobacco plantations and figures prominently in Maryland history. In April of 1773, then 25, he was selected as a member of the vestry of St. Anne's Parish and in May of the same year he was elected to represent the City of Annapolis as a delegate to the Maryland General Assembly. He had other interests as well. Matthias commissioned William Buckland, a well-recognized architect of the time, to build a house in Annapolis. William Buckland was influenced greatly by the 16 th C. Italian architect Andrea Palladio. The house he designed for Hammond was built in 1774 and is located on Maryland Avenue; it is considered a fine representation of Bucklands work. A few words about Buckland: He [Buckland] immigrated to the colonies in 1755 as an indentured servant to George Mason of Virginia. Mason commissioned Buckland to work on his home, a seemingly modest site called Gunston Hall. The young architect is credited with introducing a variety of designs into mainstream architecture in the colonies. After several successful commissions in Virginia, Buckland ventured to Annapolis, where his hand can be seen at the Chase-Lloyd House. The crowning jewel of Bucklands career, however, was the house he designed for Matthias Hammond. This house was the only one of his many commissions that Buckland designed and executed in its entirety. Unfortunately, Buckland died before the house was finished.1 Ironically, the man for whom Buckland erected this masterpiece never lived at the house. Instead, Hammond was living at his plantation in Gambrills, Maryland by the 1780s. After his death (1786), the Dairy Farm property was referred to as Hammonds Inheritance. In the waning years of the 18thcentury, the house was rented by many a well-known Annapolitan, including Judge Jeremiah Townley Chase, a one-time mayor of the city. In the 19th century, the elegant mansion was home to the Pinkney and then the Lockerman families. In an uncanny twist of fate, William Bucklands great-grandson William Harwood married into the Lockerman family, thereby bringing the Buckland clan into the house. William Harwoods progeny lived at the Hammond-Harwood House until the last surviving member of the lineage [Hester Ann Howard] died in 1924. 2
1

http://www.hammondharwoodhouse.org/index.php?id=5 Warfield, Joshua Dorsey. The Founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland, 1905.

After Hammonds death, the property was referred to as Hammonds Inheritance. It passed through relatives for several years. The Hammond Manor House survived almost 300 years (the house was constructed before 1713), but, unfortunately, was eventually burned down by vandals. The Hammond Manor House property was purchased by the Navy on August 21, 1909 and became used as a dairy farm. Initially, the Naval Academy had operated a small dairy farm at Greenbury Point. However, this small operation failed to meet the needs of the Academy, and in 1913, the Navy moved the dairy farm to the much larger tract in Gambrills, Maryland.3 From 1911 to 1917, part of this site was also used as a Naval Air Station, where training was conducted for the early airmen. Current History The Dairy Farm continued to be this large, beautiful farm, home to dairy cows, the vegetable gardens, and some cattle. In 2008, Anne Arundel County obtained a lease from the Naval Academy to operate the farm and to develop the acreage with public access. Horizon, an organic farm operation was contracted to provide milk and dairy products. In time, Ed and Marian Fry took on the management of the Farm as Sunrise Organic Farm. Marians certified herb gardens are a testament to their interest in pure organic farming. During mid-2010, the Master Gardeners began participating in the Countys plans to create a new park at Hammonds Connection. Development consists of planning phases, and the first efforts have involved (1) the identification of how the Master Gardeners can assist in the Plan, with demonstration gardens and activities as the park master plan is implemented, and (2) their participation in a special project on Specimen Trees. This latter effort is important in tree conservation, as there is a significant number of trees with diameters more than 30 on the property. Studying these trees and helping to clear areas around them will enable their preservation, no small accomplishment today, where commercial and residential development has dramatically reduced forest acreage in the County. Through the Department of Recreation and Parks, a Master Plan was developed to maintain the authenticity of the farm and to create a place where the public could come and enjoy this rather unique place in the middle of the County. Several Master Gardeners formed a Dairy Farm Committee and undertook the Specimen Tree project. Under direction from the Recreation and Parks department, they also planned for future projects, such as demonstration vegetable and berry gardens and a native plant field nursery. They have been clearing invasives and brush surrounding several specimen trees and the mature holly trees, many of whose diameters measure more than 12. Named the Holly Glen, this plot of land has been groomed with native plants amid walking paths. Across from it the Copse, was cleared and planted to invite visitors. A local Girl Scout Troop contributed much time and energy to clearing it, and in so doing, earned their Environmental Badge. In March 2013, the Extension Office of the University of Maryland moved to the Dairy Farm. The Master Gardener Program is now located in a truly appropriate place, surrounded by horses, cows, vegetable gardens, and plantings of native plants.
3

http://www.navy-radio.com/commsta/anna.htm

In accordance with the Master Plan for the development of the Farm, the skills and experience that the Master Gardeners bring to horticultural education, demonstration gardens, and best horticultural practices will be put to good use. Activities sponsored by the Frys and the projects undertaken by the Master Gardeners emphasize the unique place of the Farm in Marylands rich cultural, agricultural and educational history. Visitors to the Farm can enjoy the agrarian atmosphere, the expansive vistas, and the experience of another time. Life on the Dairy Farm harkens back to Thomas Jeffersons notion that a working farm could be beautiful as well as utilitarian.

Note: Information on the Hammond Family can also be found at

http://genealogytrails.com/mary/annearundel/obits.html