Date Visited: June 18, 2016
Location: 1 Colt Drive, Bristol, Rhode Island (about half an hour from Providence and 1 hour from Boston, MA) (401) 253-9062
Hours: presently open Tue-Sun 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
December 15 – April 15
Open Weekends, 10 am to 4 pm
Open February 16 – 21, 2016 for February vacation
April 15 – December 15
Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Cost:
Weekdays
Adults: $5
Seniors: $3
Children (3–12): $3
Children under 3: Free
Weekends
Adults: $7
Seniors: $5
Children (3–12): $5
Children under 3: Free
You can also purchase a membership for unlimited visits, free access to special events and discounts at their gift shop. If you plan on going more than once or twice a year and especially if you go with your family, the membership is probably the best rate:
Individual membership: $25
Couples: $35
Family: $50
Parking: There is a space for about 4 or 5 cars across from Coggeshall Farm. You can also park at Colt State Park, which is adjacent to the farm but you may have to pay a fee to enter the park.
Size: 48 acres
Time To Allot For Visit: About An Hour
Dog Friendly: No (except for guide dogs)
Highlights: living museum, character actors, farm animals, historic style homes
You often find the most wonderful places in the most unexpected places. On an otherwise nondescript trail at Colt State Park used for cycling and running, lies a farm frozen in time.
Established in 1973, the Coggeshall Museum Farm features interpreters and authentic reenactments of farm life in the year 1799. Every last detail from the tools they use to the bedding (mostly hay) is authentic to the time it represents.
I loved the houses and workshops at Coggeshall. The homes and interiors were definitely the highlight of the trip for me. The rooms were modest and fairly bare (and I thought my room was small).
Even the papers and bills in the houses are accurate to those days. They don’t accept them as legal tender though, in case you were wondering.
Coggeshall Farm Museum also has a variety of animals. When I came to visit there were 2 steer, 11 sheep and several chickens, turkeys and other fowl. I also got to see some newly hatched chicks.
When I asked how long they keep the animals there I was told they usually live 6 to 8 years and then they have a “retirement plan.” Yes, everything gets used at the farm.
There were several character actors working during my visit. This gentleman was cutting wood to store (it’s never too early to get ready for long, chilly winter nights). When I asked how long it would take to cut all the wood he said, “util it is done”. Where has that work ethic gone?
The grounds are well kept and very pretty. They also have a large grazing area for the animals.
Then there was Moe – the resident cat and pest control manager. He was very friendly and playful as you can see. Believe it or not, the chipmunk he’s hunting and carrying so gently escaped only a little worse for the wear.
Coggeshall Farm also lets the patrons partake in some tasks (such as cutting wood) as long as it is supervised and they have many events throughout the year such as Arts On The Farm and Farm Camp. Check their website for more details.
July 6th, 2016 at 11:38 pm
I love it here !! I took a class of preschoolers here when I was a student teacher and every spring I look forward to talking my own children. It is such an educational , enjoyable experience , always ! Great post !
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July 6th, 2016 at 11:49 pm
That sounds like fun! It’s a great place for children because they can learn while having fun. Thank you!
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July 6th, 2016 at 11:58 pm
My pleasure !
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July 7th, 2016 at 8:44 pm
I love living history museums! They are so cool.
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July 8th, 2016 at 4:13 am
They are great!
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July 8th, 2016 at 5:16 am
What a lovely farm and I love their working moral 😀
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July 8th, 2016 at 12:48 pm
Yes, it is a lovely farm. There is something about the “simple life” that is so appealing. Thank you, Irene!
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July 8th, 2016 at 12:59 pm
I agree so much. When people ask me, what time do we eat? I use to answer, when the food is done 🙂
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July 8th, 2016 at 1:33 pm
A little bit of history in this rush-rush world – such a pleasure to see this – and in such a beautiful setting! 🙂
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July 8th, 2016 at 1:42 pm
It’s definitely a nice break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Thank you!
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August 1st, 2016 at 11:27 pm
Love those – my brother used to do the Natchez Trace re-enactments. Oh and like the new photo Wayne!
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August 1st, 2016 at 11:39 pm
Thank you, Laura! That sounds really cool! I just looked it up. I would have loved to see and photograph it!
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