Along the quiet gravel road, this working farm has operated for many years as a dairy farm.  The Holstein cows were walked down the middle road from their grazing pastures to the barn guided by the farmer and his Border Collie---a cherished memory of the past.  Angus beef and later Hampshire sheep were also raised on the property.  With over 6, 000 feet of road frontage and about 30 acres of managed hay field and grazing pastures, the land provided for the many needs of farming. The Davison Farm is central to this area of antique homes and other expansive farms in the Quaker District of Henniker.

Henniker, known as ‘the only Henniker on earth’, is a picturesque town that built up along the banks of the Contoocook River. As an active and community-oriented town, it promotes outdoor recreation and encourages local entrepreneurs with its restaurants, shopping and many business opportunities. The Henniker area is known for whitewater kayaking and Pat’s Peak Ski Area as well as being home to New England College. Historic treasures in town are the double arched stone bridge, honoring the poet Edna Dean Proctor and the trussed covered bridge, built in 1972 and owned by the College.

The Davison Farm is preserved forever with the Society for the Protection of NH Forests. As conserved land, the owner is still free to and encouraged to perform agricultural, forestry and horticultural activities on the land. Locally, many of the larger farms and parcels of land have been conserved to preserve the character of the area for future generations. This farmstead includes over 278 acres in both Henniker and on the edge of the small town of Deering.

The 1790’s center chimney colonial is situated along a winding road accented by grand, mature maples. The three bedroom, one bath home has retained many of its period details.  Beautiful woodwork and moldings appoint the interior of the home. Typical of the period, there are two front rooms to each side of the front door, while the expansive living room to the rear, once the keeping room, contains a large fireplace – once the busy hub of this historic home. Upstairs there is a large open hall that accesses the three bedrooms. 

In this house, as in most homes, the country kitchen is where we gather. The kitchen was added in the ell off the main house at some point in time and its hardwood floors and pine wainscoting are intact. The wood-fired cook stove is still used everyday. The big soapstone sink is placed just below a set of windows overlooking the barnyard. A walk-in food pantry has plenty of extra shelving and a specially lowered countertop for kneading  bread. This ell also contains the full bath and a soapstone wash sink at the side entry of the house. Beyond this is the wood shed and extra storage.

The Barns and Outbuildings:

• The Angus barn is a 30’ x 30’ pole barn. 

• The main barn is about 40’ x 60’ and is on the NH Historic Registry and is one of 3 registered in town.  This barn was for the young heifers.

• The third is a pole barn across the road.  It is approx. 24’X24’ and is used for equipment storage.

• The sap house is fully operational and includes the equipment and supplies for an ongoing maple sugaring  business.

For more information or an appointment
to see this property, contact
 Jennifer Hardwick
   603-345-4580