Who we are
Smith Farm at Borderland State Park was built in 1880 by Dr. Asahel Smith, a clairvoyant healer, who began to practice the healing arts in Easton in 1850. The site he chose, nestled in what is now Borderland State Park on the Bay Road side, was selected for its serenity and peacefulness—with the farm serving as a place of respite and tranquility for Dr. Smith and his patients. Given its peaceful location, Smith Farm serves as a restful and meditative place for visitors to Borderland.
About six years ago, Carrie Crisman was walking the Borderland trails when she came upon the vacant old farmhouse. The Department of Conservation and Recreation was offering use of the farmhouse under their curatorship program for historic properties. Envisioning the farm as a space for a variety of health and wellness programs, yet not being aware of its history as such, Carrie was awarded the curatorship of Smith Farm and has been working since to build a strong board and raise community support to achieve the goals of Smith Farm—to preserve the historic farmhouse on the site, and as stated in the Smith Farm mission, to use the facility to “enrich lives through education,arts, culture, spirituality and wellness.”
Achievement of these goals will bring Smith Farm full circle as it was originally built by Dr. Smith on a site specifically chosen for its serenity and peacefulness. The farmhouse, and eventually a newly constructed event barn, will be used to provide wellness programs such as: meditation; alternative healing therapies; community garden space and related nutrition and culinary education programs; arts, theater and music programs; fresh air/recreational programs for children and families; and veteran’s wellness programs. Smith Farm will also provide space for use by wellness practitioners and other nonprofits.
Currently, in the absence of renovated physical space, Smith Farm has partnered with several key organizations in advancing strategic areas of our mission—with a focus, in particular, on veteran’s programming. We are making our outdoor facility available to
local wellness practitioners and nonprofits who work with Veterans, so that these organizations can use Smith Farm as an alternative site for them to enhance their existing programs and can take advantage of the peaceful setting we have to offer.
We currently offer yoga, Thai chi, and other fitness classes on our lawns, and we have partnered with the VA Boston Healthcare System’s Brockton campus and a local yoga teacher to make yoga classes and garden space available specifically for the Veterans in our community.
About six years ago, Carrie Crisman was walking the Borderland trails when she came upon the vacant old farmhouse. The Department of Conservation and Recreation was offering use of the farmhouse under their curatorship program for historic properties. Envisioning the farm as a space for a variety of health and wellness programs, yet not being aware of its history as such, Carrie was awarded the curatorship of Smith Farm and has been working since to build a strong board and raise community support to achieve the goals of Smith Farm—to preserve the historic farmhouse on the site, and as stated in the Smith Farm mission, to use the facility to “enrich lives through education,arts, culture, spirituality and wellness.”
Achievement of these goals will bring Smith Farm full circle as it was originally built by Dr. Smith on a site specifically chosen for its serenity and peacefulness. The farmhouse, and eventually a newly constructed event barn, will be used to provide wellness programs such as: meditation; alternative healing therapies; community garden space and related nutrition and culinary education programs; arts, theater and music programs; fresh air/recreational programs for children and families; and veteran’s wellness programs. Smith Farm will also provide space for use by wellness practitioners and other nonprofits.
Currently, in the absence of renovated physical space, Smith Farm has partnered with several key organizations in advancing strategic areas of our mission—with a focus, in particular, on veteran’s programming. We are making our outdoor facility available to
local wellness practitioners and nonprofits who work with Veterans, so that these organizations can use Smith Farm as an alternative site for them to enhance their existing programs and can take advantage of the peaceful setting we have to offer.
We currently offer yoga, Thai chi, and other fitness classes on our lawns, and we have partnered with the VA Boston Healthcare System’s Brockton campus and a local yoga teacher to make yoga classes and garden space available specifically for the Veterans in our community.
Why Smith Farm?
It is our mission to enrich lives through education, arts, culture, spirituality, and wellness. We envision a future of community outreach that helps change and prosper the lives of many.
