47mi from Athens · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · Charlton, NYOur historic and peaceful property is yours to explore! You can swim in the pond, take casual strolls around the property, enjoy the campfire at night, bike for miles on scenic country roads, and use this site as a jumping off point to discover all the beer, wine, cheese, concerts, festivals, hiking, kayaking, restaurants, shopping and more that the greater Capital Region has to offer!
According to a few sources we've consulted, the Mohican people (Eastern Algonquian family of tribes - not to be confused with the Mohawk, a distinctly different tribe) were the indigenous occupants of the land where our farm is now located. Historians note that the name Mohican is from the indigenous word meaning "water that flows in two directions." Most Mohicans were driven into western NY and Canada when the Revolutionary War broke out.
Local history indicates that the first white occupants to build here were the Hawley Family, in 1790. Parts of the farmhouse date to this era. Outbuildings were added through the decades and centuries, and the land was used as a dairy farm, among other ventures, by previous owners.
We purchased the property in 2021 in hopes of providing more space, nature and outdoor living for our two little ones. We have two fields dedicated to Christmas trees, as well as apple, pear and cherry trees, and we've had successful garlic harvests to share with neighbors, family, friends, and at local farmers' markets. We've also begun brewing our own beer and cider. If you have any planting or farming advice to share, please don't hesitate! Follow us on Instagram @birchstarfarm