---

Cows, Copper, and William Penn: The Story of Flemington’s Dvoor Farmstead

When you drive into the parking lot of the Dvoor Farmstead in Flemington, NJ, the first thing you notice is the massive horse barn with “Dvoor Bro’s” painted in giant letters across the roof. It’s an icon of Hunterdon County agriculture.

But look a little closer at the stone farmhouse next door, and you will see a history that stretches back long before the Dvoor brothers ever sold a single cow.

This 50-acre site is a rare survivor. It traces its ownership directly to William Penn, was built by German immigrants in the 1700s, and today serves as the headquarters for the Hunterdon Land Trust, proving that “open space” preservation often goes hand-in-hand with historic preservation.

From William Penn to German Pioneers

The land originally belonged to William Penn (the founder of Pennsylvania), who had the 5,000-acre tract surveyed in 1712.

In 1738, Penn’s sons sold a portion of the land to Johan Philip Kaes (later anglicized to Case), a German immigrant. According to local legend, Kaes built his first log cabin here with the help of Chief Tuccamirgan of the Lenape tribe, with whom he had formed a close friendship.

The 1798 Mansion

The centerpiece of the property is the Georgian-style stone farmhouse built by Philip Case (Johan’s son) in 1798.

• The Architecture: Built of local reddish-brown sandstone, the house was a mansion for its time, signaling the Case family’s wealth.
• The Mystery Initials: High up on the east gable is a circular window (oculus) featuring the date “1798” and the initials “A, B, C.” Historians believe this stands for Amy (Philip’s wife), Philip (using a modified ‘P’), and Case.

Graffiti in the Attic: The attic of the farmhouse contains a hidden history. Scrawled on the wooden plank walls are records of grain storage from 1816 and 1817, along with calculations in British currency (pounds, shillings, and pence), offering a tangible connection to the farmers who worked here two centuries ago.

The Copper Mine That Wasn’t

In 1860, the farm was sold at a sheriff’s sale to George Allen of the Hunterdon Iron Mining Company. Allen wasn’t interested in farming; he wanted copper. He believed the property sat on a rich vein of ore.

• The Result: The mining venture was a bust. No viable copper was found, and the property was quickly sold back into agricultural use.

The Era of the Dvoor Brothers

In 1920, the farm was purchased by Jacob Dvoor, a Russian Jewish immigrant. Along with his brothers George and Samuel, Jacob turned “Mine Brook Farm” into a livestock empire.

• The Business: The Dvoor brothers specialized in dairy cows and horses. They were so successful that they eventually owned seven farms in the area.
• The Barn: In the 1930s, they built the iconic gambrel-roofed horse barn. The painted advertisement on the roof remains one of the most photographed landmarks in Flemington.

Saving the Farm

By the late 1990s, the farm was threatened by the rapid suburban development engulfing Hunterdon County. In 1999, the Hunterdon Land Trust acquired the property to save it from bulldozers.

• Adaptive Reuse: Today, the 1798 farmhouse serves as the Trust’s offices. The fields that once grazed dairy cows now host a weekly Farmers’ Market, keeping the agricultural tradition alive.

If You Visit

The Dvoor Farmstead is open to the public as a nature preserve and market venue.

• Location: 111 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ 08822.
• Farmers’ Market: Held every Sunday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM (year-round!), this is widely considered one of the best markets in the state.
• Trails: A network of walking trails winds through the property and connects to the neighboring wetlands, perfect for a post-market stroll.

---

For More Information

Hunterdon Land Trust (www.hunterdonlandtrust.org)