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Harvesting History: Life in the 1890s at Longstreet Farm

New Jersey is nicknamed the “Garden State,” but in many parts of the state, the gardens have been replaced by suburbs. However, tucked away in Holmdel Park in Monmouth County, one piece of agricultural history remains exactly as it was at the turn of the 20th century.

This is Historic Longstreet Farm.

Unlike a static museum, Longstreet is a living history site. When you step onto the property, you are stepping into the 1890s. The staff wears period-appropriate clothing, the fields are plowed by draft horses, and the daily rhythm is dictated by the sun and the seasons, just as it was for the Longstreet family over a century ago.

The Family Legacy

The farm’s history runs deep. The original 495 acres were purchased in 1806 by Hendrick Longstreet. By the 1890s—the specific decade the site interprets today—the farm was a multigenerational operation:

• The Owner: Mary Ann Longstreet, Hendrick’s daughter, who owned the property while in her 70s.
• The Manager: Jonathan I. Holmes, her great-grandson, who managed the daily labor.

The farm remained in the family until 1967, when Mary Longstreet Holmes Duncan sold it to the Monmouth County Park System to be preserved for future generations.

The End of an Era

The 1890s was a critical transition period for New Jersey agriculture.

• The Competition: Farmers in Monmouth County were facing stiff competition from the massive, mechanized farms of the American Midwest.
• The Technology: While other farms were modernizing with steam and gasoline engines, Longstreet Farm remained an “old-style” operation, relying heavily on horsepower and manual labor.

Today, the farm preserves this specific moment in time—the twilight of the horse-powered era.

A Dutch Masterpiece

The architectural centerpiece of the site is the massive Dutch Barn. Built in 1792, it is a stunning example of New World Dutch architecture, characterized by a steeply pitched gable roof that slopes close to the ground and high wagon doors at the center.

The Farmhouse: The residence itself tells the story of the family’s growth.

• 1770s: It began as a small, two-room Dutch cottage.
• 1790s: A large, two-story main block was added.
• 1840s: A modern kitchen and the current porch were constructed. Today, the interior is restored to its late Victorian grandeur, showing how a prosperous farm family would have lived.

Potatoes and Profits

While the farm raised livestock and cereal grains, one of its most important features is the Potato Cellar (c. 1890). In the late 19th century, Monmouth County was a potato powerhouse, often shipping massive quantities of “spuds” to New York City and Philadelphia. Potatoes were a primary cash crop for the Longstreets, and the preservation of the cellar highlights this often-overlooked booming industry of the Garden State.

If You Visit

Longstreet Farm is located inside Holmdel Park and is open year-round. It is free to enter, making it a favorite for families.

• Location: 44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733.
• The Experience: Depending on the season, you might see sheep shearing, ice harvesting (from the frozen pond), or corn husking.
• The Animals: The farm is home to mules, draft horses, dairy cows, and sheep—all breeds that would have been common in the 1890s.

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For More Information

Monmouth County Parks System (www.monmouthcountyparks.com)