Richardson wood shop intriguing part of farm’s history
DRACUT >> Founded in
1701, Dracut has long been known for its many farms. The town is proud of its agricultural heritage. One of the oldest farms in Dracut is what today is known as Beaver Brook Farm. Beaver Brook Farm was located on Mammoth Road. The Richardson
farmhouse still stands on Mammoth Road. The farmhouse was built in 1736 on 80 acres by Abraham Varnum. It was then sold to Elisha Ford and ultimately to Justus Richardson in 1851. Richardson operated the farm until his death in 1887. His son, George A.H. Richardson, then operated the farm until his passing in 1905. In 1905, George A.H. Richardson’s son, Justus Cutter Richardson, took over the farm’s operation for the next 60 years.
Born on Sept. 18, 1880, J.C. Richardson attended Dracut schools and then graduated from Lowell High School, Class of 1899 (Dracut did not have its own high school until 1934). After graduating Lowell High School, he attended the Massachusetts Agricultural College in Amherst.
With his father’s passing in 1905, Richardson took over the farm’s operation. He renamed it Beaver
Brook Farm. Between 1915-1935, Beaver Brook Farm expanded tremendously. Richardson became well known for his innovative farming techniques such as building several hothouses so vegetables could be grown year-round, utilizing irrigation, and developing an easier-to-grow variety of rhubarb which he developed in conjunction with the Durkee Seed Company.
Altogether Beaver
Brook Farm had four hothouses. Richardson saw the benefit of being able to grow crops year-round and the hothouses allowed Richardson to greatly expand the farm’s vegetable production. He was famous for rhubarb and Blue Hubbard squash. He would sell his produce throughout New England. Peach and apple orchards were also added to the farm. But as the farm’s production increased so
did the need for more water. Richardson built a water tower which took its water from Beaver Brook. The tower was part of an extensive irrigation system Richardson developed for the farm.
In addition to the water tower and hothouses Richardson built as part of the farm’s infrastructure, he also had a wood shop. Typically, it was thought that Richardson used the wood shop for utilitarian projects needed around the farm. However, his woodworking skills may have been more skilled than previously thought. Natalie Green from Maine reached out to me, because she purchased a wooden cabinet here in Massachusetts. It is 22 inches wide and beautifully crafted. Inside, it is signed “J.C Richardson 1897.” She reached out to me looking for information on Richardson.
It is hard to say without seeing the cabinet firsthand if it really was crafted by Richardson or if he had just signed it. In any case, it was connected to him somehow. Perhaps made while a student at
Lowell High School? The answer is probably lost to history, but Richardson’s legacy as an innovative Dracut farmer remains.
Richardson managed Beaver Brook Farm until his passing on Dec. 21, 1968 at the age of 88. He is buried in Oakland Cemetery.