our history and mission

Prowse Farm … An Intriguing History … Located in Canton, Massachusetts at the foot of Great Blue Hill which was named by the Native Americans who first settled and farmed the area. They called it "Moswatusek" — land by the great hill.

During the colonial period, the farm was the site of Doty Tavern, where the brave, freedom-seeking patriots met on August 16, 1774 to draft the Suffolk Resolves, subsequently taken by Paul Revere to the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia, which served as the precursor for the Declaration of Independence.

In 1890, the farm became world famous as Forbes Farm, home of J. Malcolm Forbes's world champion trotting standardbred horses, including the undefeated champions "Nancy Hanks," "Arion," "Bingen," and "Peter The Great".

During the turn of the century, Martha Peabody Prowse maintained the picturesque view and unspoiled landscape to serve as a transition between the Blue Hills Reservation, the nation's oldest urban park system, and the modern development springing up around it. Area residents stabled horses, youngsters worked the barns, the Pony Club held shows, and visitors could picnic on the private property that welcomed the public.

In 1975, upon the death of Martha Peabody Prowse, a local citizen group, Friends of Prowse Farm, began a ten year battle waged on many political fronts in an attempt to defeat the rezoning of the property, by pursuing their goals of assuring public access to Prowse Farm and educating the public about the Massachusetts agriculture and history.

In 1993, the Friends of Prowse Farm prevailed against the influence of political and corporate ambition, by preserving 44 prime acres of Prowse Farm, signing a management agreement with the present property owners, Meditech. As a result of forging a common bond, the Friends of Prowse Farm, continue to honor the property with public access for recreational and educational programs and events.

Some of those special events over the past years have included the annual Farm City Festival, Native American Pow-Wow, Artists In Residence, Rhode Island Carriage Association Pleasure Drive and Greater Boston Family Day & Jewish Music Festival. Please contact us for more information or view our calendar for upcoming dates.

HISTORIC

PROWSE FARM

Member of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions

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