~ Tour Waters Farm~

When Dorothea Waters Moran donated her farm to the Town of Sutton in 1974 she expressed her desire that “Waters Farm” become a living history education center so that people could visit her farm and touch, smell, and see how old New England farms contributed to our America . Having a Sugar House on the property is an integral part of that “living history” as visitors view the sugar making process.

Construction of the Sugar House began with a generous donation from Attorney Richard Rafferty, who is, as Bud Gurney would say, a “Sutton boy,” who demonstrates his continued love of community by his dedication to the farm.  Marty Linder did the foundation, Randy Marchant the post and beam work, Bob Anderson was there from start to finish, John Sinacola secured a crane, Fran Donnelly made the hinges at the Sherman Blacksmith Shop in Sutton Center, Joe Regan brought in 20 foot long logs, Ted Koopman cut the stock, Janice and Dale Wentworth of North Brookfield donated equipment including an arch evaporating pan and the stacks and shields that go into the roof, Jim Knox made and donated all the chimney pipes and the roof was from Dan Moroney. For all of these and for everyone else who helped and is not mentioned here many, many thanks for a job well done!

A formal dedication of the Sugar House was held during Fall Farm Days on Sunday, October 2, 2005. At the 28^th annual Fall Farm Days held in October of 2007 Waters Farm partnered with the Blackstone Valley Sugaring Association. Fifteen volunteers from the sugaring association put in 172 hours at the Rafferty Sugar House on the Waters Farm property. Over 1200 visitors made the trek down to the sugar house from the farm above to see the evaporator and to learn more about maple sugaring.

Waters Farm is pleased with the new partnership and looks forward to working with the Blackstone Valley Sugaring Association at future events. The Sugar House will also be an integral part of the new Educational Curriculum that will be unveiled in 2008. 

HOW THE SUGAR HOUSE WAS BUILT:  Lumber for the Sugar House was cut at Waters Farm. Joe Regan picked up the logs, took them to Ted Koopman's Mill on Farm Days 2004 and the wood was cut to spec for the building.  Randy Marchant was hired to complete mortise and tenon work and raise the building.  The sugar arch and evaporator are gifts from Dale Wentworth of North Brookfield, Massachusetts.

~Continue Your Tour of Waters Farm~