The pasture across Highway 17 from the grounds of Hardman Farm State Historic Site is home to the iconic gazebo topped mound and also to cattle about 10 months a year. These cattle are being raised to become milk cows, and for this cycle to continue, for about two months in the winter, the field is vacant. In late February/early March, a new herd arrives, and residents take this as a sign of spring.
In celebration of the cows coming home and its reopening for the season, Hardman Farm State Historic Site will host a “Cows Come Home Celebration” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 5. Visitors can enjoy a day full of activities centering around the dairy that once operated at Hardman Farm including tours of Hardman Farm’s 100+-year-old dairy barn and creamery, butter making demonstrations, and samples of cornbread baked in the historic Hardman Farm kitchen. Guests can also peruse the bottom
floor of the Hardman Farm mansion along with the farm’s numerous outbuildings and learn more about modern dairy operations from Mountain Fresh Creamery. Young (and young at heart) guests, can enjoy a puppet show depicting the history of the farm and old-fashioned games such as corn hole on the lawn.
Local award-winning fiddle player, Elliott Sperin, will provide live music and local artists and crafters will have goods for sale including pottery, wooden jewelry, garden art, barn quilts, and more. Guests can grab a bite to eat from local food truck, Southern Epicurean, or even try a bowl of mule churned ice cream.
Admission to the festivities is $6 plus tax per person (children under 6 free). For more information, contact the Hardman Farm Visitors Center at 706-878-1077, email [email protected] or visit https://gastateparks.org/HardmanFarm.
