11 Jan

The Rich History of Linden Hall Farm

Nestled among the rolling hills of Hagerstown, Maryland is Linden Hall Farm. Over the years, the families behind this working dairy farm have poured their heart and soul into the land. Today, the Lindan Hall Farm sources dairy, eggs, and seasonal produce, and operates their farm store. Together we’ll explore the rich history of Linden Hall Farm as we delve into the journey from Conococheague Manor to it being named the Washington County Farm of the Year.

A landscape image of a farm field with cows at the Linden Hall Farm.
Cows in pasture at the Linden Hall Farm.

K12 Virtual Field Trip: Frosty Farm Fun

Frosty Farm Fun: Winterizing and Tree Trimming with Linden Hall Farms is an upcoming K12 virtual field trip on January 22, 2025. During this enriching virtual field trip, students in grades K-12 can visit the Linden Hall Farm and will learn about the farm’s preparation for the cold winter months, plus see a live tree trimming demonstration.

From Conococheague Manor to the Washington County Farm of the Year

In the beginning, there was the Conococheague Manor. Linden Hall Farm’s history begins before the Revolutionary War, when the entire state of Maryland was property of Lord Baltimore. The farm was originally a part of Conococheague Manor and gifted to John Morton Jordan in 1732, according to sources. At the time the Linden Hall was 488 acres, currently it is 166 acres.

Century Farm

Different owners have managed Linden Hall over the centuries, and the farm’s size has evolved. Since 1875 it’s been in the Byers or related families. and as a result, earned its status of a Century Farm.

Today, the farm is run and managed by three generations of the Byer Family.

An image of a sign that says Maryland with Pride Century Farm.
Linden Hall Farm is a recognized Century Farm.

House History

It’s believed that the original part of the house was built around 1790, while new additions added between 1830-1850. In addition to living quarters, the house has been used for a variety of occasions. Some notable uses have been a lookout during the Civil War, a temporary school room, and a speakeasy during the Depression. Interestingly, the house is also believed to be haunted.

An image showing the side of a white farm house in the sun at the Linden Hall Farm.
The farm house at Linden Hall Farm.

Linden Trees

Lining the white picket fence that borders the property are Linden Trees – appropriately sharing their name with the farm. Upon purchase in 1875, Six Linden Tress were dug from nearby woods and transplanted around the house. Linden Hall Farm became its official name in 1918.

A Bounty of Fresh Produce

Once a farm for grain, recent owners Joeseph and Laura Byers transitioned the farm’s production from grain to dairy and orchard.

Afterwards, the apple orchard was replanted in the 1950s when Joeseph and Laura’s grandson Roy assumed management. In the 1960s, Roy’s wife Betty began to sell fresh produce on the farmhouse porch.

A man wearing a baseball cap and glasses is holding an apple picked at Linden Hall Farm and smiling into the camera.
Farmer Brian with one of the farm’s apples.

During the 1980s, the apple building was constructed for the 26-acre apple orchard. Apples were sold to processing plants and used as the store’s sales. The building is still used today for the farm’s six acres of orchards.

Linden Hall’s primary produce is apples, peaches, and tomatoes.

The Dairy Farm

Linden Hall Farm once bottled milk on location as the Linden Hall Dairy Farm and now supplies milk to Maola Milk.

Holstein & Guernsey cattle once roamed the farm’s fields. Now, you’ll find Jersey cows and a small herd of Brown Swiss cows on the farm.  

Two brown cows from the Linden Hall Farm looking into the camera and touching noses.

Linden Hall Farm: Washington County Farm of the Year

Maryland’s Department of Business and Economic Development named Linden Hall Farm Washington County’s Farm of the Year in 2024. The gold standard for this award is production, conservation, preservation, community involvement, and dedication to farming and agriculture, according to sources.

Feeding the Community

A man and a women standing next to each other in front of a white fence at Linden Hall Farm.
Farmers Brian and Nicole.

Today, farmers Brian and Nicole primarily manage Linden Hall Farm – with plenty of help from their families of course!   

Linden Hall Farm sources milk for Maola Milk, serving customers in the eastern part of the United States. In addition to operating their dairy farm and caring for about 50 cows, Brian and Nicole also have an on-site store featuring seasonal farm produce, year-round eggs, and products from local vendors.

A small bottle of Maola milk is shown to the camera with a cow behind the milk and Linden Hall Farm.
Maola Milk is proudly sourced at Linden Hall Farm.

Meet the Farmers

Ready to learn more about the day-to-day life at Linden Hall Farm? Join us on January 22 for Frosty Farm Fun: Winterizing and Tree Trimming with Linden Hall Farms, a K12 virtual field trip.

Guests will virtually visit Linden Hall to learn how the farm gets ready for winter, plus see a live tree trimming demonstration! Visit our website Virtual Field Trips – K12 Enrichment to register.

Wrapping Up

Linden Hall Farm’s rich history dates back to before the Revolutionary War. The Linden Hall house has been used for different occasions, a few of which directly tied to American history.

From earning its title as a Century Farm to Washington Country’s Farm of the Year, Linden Hall Farm continues to prove its dedication to agriculture, farming, and their community.

We hope you’ll join us for Frosty Farm Fun: Winterizing and Tree Trimming with Linden Hall Farms to see the farm in action. Be sure to register today!