Do you love history? The District of Central Saanich is calling for community volunteers to help stage the interior of the Newman Farmhouse under the supervision of a local archivist.
Newman Farm offers a glimpse of turn-of-the-century farm life on the Saanich Peninsula. The 16.5-acre farm was donated as public parkland to the District Central Saanich by John and Henry Newman in 2003. Having remained in family ownership and relatively unchanged for 107 years, this property is a rare example of a small, subsistence farm on the Saanich peninsula. Many of its buildings are heritage sites.
The District has made a number of restoration improvements to the site, including the farmhouse’s exterior and reestablishing a 100-year old orchard during a community tree planting in 2018. The farm is operational again thanks to Farmlands Trust Society.
Interested members of the public are asked to join when they can through the summer.
Volunteer orientation – Come see if this project is for you—or dive right in!—Sat, May 20 (drop in between 9 am-2 pm) or Mon, May 29 (2:30-4 pm).
Work party Saturdays - June 3 and 10, July 8, 15 and 22, August 5 and 12.
Gloves, masks, water and snacks will be provided. RSVP/questions to Sonia Nicholson nicholson.sonia@gmail.com.
Looking to visit the farm? The site is open for special events and to those who volunteer on the farm with Farmlands Trust Society.
The public is invited to visit the farm this summer Saturday, August 19 and 26 from noon to 3:00 p.m.
For public visits, the Newman Farm access gate is located on Central Saanich Road, 1/2 km north of Mount Newton Cross Road (south of Mt St Michael Rd). Please note because of the rural location, parking is limited to roadside parking. Parking for those with mobility limitations is available at 8073 Old V & S Road off Newman Road.
For more information on visiting the farm, please call 250-544-4240.