By Stacey Doud
My dad and stepmom came up from Houston to visit me this weekend. My dad’s birthday is always right around Father’s Day, which is partly handy and partly yucky. It’s like a person having a birthday around Christmas – double gifts or one big one? This year, I gave him the gift of my time, as we don’t get to see each other as much since I moved to Grapevine from the Houston area.
I decided to act as a tour guide as we drove around Grapevine. There is so much to do here! But knowing my father and my stepmom, I decided to show them Nash Farm first.
I have been there several times, so I got to tell them a little about the history. Thomas Jefferson Nash and his family bought 450 acres in Grapevine in 1859. Over the years, it got sold off, and what remains is a little over five acres of land, which is used as a working farm, as well as a tourist attraction and a tribute to the Nash family and Grapevine’s history.
Nash built the house on the property in 1869, and the folks at Nash Farm and the Heritage Society in Grapevine have renovated it and keep it in superb condition. All of the furniture, clothing, kitchen tools and décor are either original to the house or are items that one would find in the late 1800’s.
Outside, they keep chickens, turkeys, sheep and Leroy the Barn Cat. The Farm Store offers all kinds of information and wares that were common in the 1800’s, even though a bonnet may have been sewn last week. The craftsmanship shows that the folks that work and volunteer there really care about what they are doing.
They hold all kinds of fun events. The next thing on their calendar is an Ice Cream Social where folks can enjoy homemade ice cream while learning about the Farm, as well as farming itself.
I drive by Nash Farm a lot, just in my local city travels. I get to see the big field of crops that are grown out front. The crops are changed out by season. Right now, they are harvesting wheat and growing corn. As with everything at Nash Farm, it is obvious that they offer the best, grown with close attention, loving care and a bit of science.
My dad really enjoyed looking at the antique tractors and other farm equipment. My stepmom fell in love with the turkeys, so I didn’t mention that they would be someone’s Thanksgiving dinner.
The employees and volunteers dress in 1920’s clothing and may be found churning butter or sewing a bonnet on an authentic foot-powered sewing machine from that time.
The trip to Nash Farm was a big hit with my family, and they want to come back again to see more.
To learn more about Nash Farm, visit https://www.grapevinetexasusa.com/nash-farm/.
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