Photo by Krista Photography
Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, several thriving organizations operate alongside a large parcel of beautiful open space.
Plan Your Visit
- Overview
- Venue Rental
- Regulations & Advisories
Overview
When Frederick Law Olmsted originally designed Moraine Farm in 1880, he integrated the latest advances in farming and forestry with a landscape of leisure, all on 275 acres owned by John C. Phillips along the shores of Lake Wenham. Olmsted created lawns, hedges, rustic stone walls, and a magnificent meadow—ideas and elements he’d echo and embellish in future projects—and collaborated with Boston architects Peabody and Stearns to design a massive stone terrace facing the lake, extending the shingle-and-stone house into the landscape.
The entire Moraine Farm property, which includes a 40-acre farm, is co-owned as part of a groundbreaking partnership between The Trustees and the Cape Ann Waldorf School. The Trustees recently acquired 66 acres from Project Adventure, another organization that was part of the original co-owner group, which includes Wenham Lake frontage, the Peabody & Stearns-designed estate house, gardens, and Olmsted landscape. Sixteen acres are currently farmed by New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, an initiative of Tufts University’s Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, which works locally, regionally, and across the country to strengthen local food systems by supporting new farmers.
The property is permanently protected, thanks to the generosity and foresight of the family that has owned the land since the late 1920s. Two other nonprofit organizations that share a stewardship interest in Moraine Farm are Essex County Greenbelt Association, which monitors the conservation restriction on the property, and the Friends of the Olmsted Landscape, a volunteer group dedicated to the preservation of the farm’s unique Olmsted heritage.
Note: Moraine Farm is not yet open for visitation. However, as a result of the recent acquisition, The Trustees will soon be able to provide access for visitors. Work is now underway, with opening anticipated for fall of 2023. Please check back here for updates to the opening plan.
Venue Rental
The ground floor and grounds surrounding the main house may be rented for weddings and other private functions. Please contact us for further information by visiting our website.
Regulations & Advisories
Moraine Farm is not yet open for visitation.
Hunting is not permitted at this reservation. Learn more about hunting on Trustees properties.
