Foothills Farmstead to open to the public

After years of planning and working, the Foothills Farmstead this Saturday, July 11 will open its “doors” to the public.  “We want everyone to come and see the beginning and follow our journey as we build the farmstead,” says Nick Gambrell, Director of the Foothills Farmstead. “We received a Bridge Grant from SC Humanities that is allowing us to open to the public each Saturday for one year… and we’re excited to show off our dreams and accomplishments.”

The Foothills Farmstead, a non-profit organization started in 2017, is building a living-history, working farm in Oakway in the way that a farm would have looked in the first half of the 1900s. To do this, they are moving historic structures, one piece at a time, to 16 acres leased from Oconee County. The first structure, the main farmhouse, is well underway thanks to grants from SC Parks, Recreation & Tourism (SCPRT), Oconee County, the USDA and Oconee County ATAX. Gambrell explains that “The grants are requiring that we charge admission. We want this to be available to everyone so the admission charge is $1.00 per person. Of course, donations are accepted too!”  The overall plan is to have many buildings on the farm including the farmhouse, tenant houses, barns, general store, school and even a grist mill. Most of the work thus far has been behind the scenes and offsite but now visitors can come and follow the progress of the main farmhouse as it is rebuilt.  Everyone is invited to visit during Open Hours which are every Saturday between 10am and Noon. The entrance to the farmstead is across the road from the Oakway Fire Department on School House Road. For more information, visit www.foothillsfarmstead.org, follow their Facebook page or email to [email protected].