Gay Farm, Colonial residence in Petersham, Massachusetts
Gay Farm is an eighteenth century farmhouse situated on the north side of Nichewaug Hill in Petersham, Massachusetts, with wooden frame construction typical of its era. The building preserves original colonial details including its simple functional design and period architectural elements.
William Negus built this farmhouse in 1740, making it one of Petersham's oldest surviving structures from the early colonial period. The property changed hands through several owners before acquiring its current name from the last resident, Charles M. Gay.
The property changed ownership through several generations, from the Negus family to Joel Stearns, then to Thomas Stevens Howe, and finally to Charles M. Gay.
The property sits prominently on a hillside making it easy to locate from the main road through the area. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear since the terrain is hilly and access requires walking to reach the structure.
The farm earned inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977 and stands as one of the region's best preserved farmhouses from the colonial era. Its survival in good condition offers a rare glimpse into how people actually lived on the land during that time period.
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