When the farm was purchased two years ago, there was little or no history that we could gather about who had lived here, and what had happened. Tidbits of information trickled in as to a recent renter, that some land had been sold to the Windham Foundation, and the name of a family (Switzer) who lived here in the 1940's.
      Much was unanswered as to why the barn, circa 1820, seemed so much older than the house - current one about 1925 -1935. What did the landscape look like over the past two hundred years? Who lived here and how did they make a living? Were there any former family descendants still living who could tell their part of the story and share photographs? There were a hundred questions and very few answers - thus the quest began.
      We were fortunate to find Kim Record who has done a splendid job of combing through town records and maps and diligently pursuing leads on who had lived here. Through countless phone calls, letters, emails and internet searches, she led us to two important sources. Bob Switzer, whose family lived here in the 1940's and who has engineered this website. Carol Johnson Collins, whose family lived here at Riverledge Farm in the 1950's, and who provided a wonderful album filled with photographs, poems and other historical material that made the farm come alive.
      Kim conducted other interviews with Frank Jones, Jesse Lawrence, Catherine Wright, Cynthia Gibbs, Ed McWilliam, Ray Lisai, Earl Douglas, Bruce MacDonald, Bob Barrett, and many others. Bob Switzer furnished us with numerous old photographs which helped immensely to jog peoples memories. With some film that Frank Jones loaned us and some of Bob's family film we were able to edit out some still pictures and to update the film transfer to DVD.
      This search and the interview process has been immensely satisfying to learn about the rich history of Riverledge Farm and all of the people who contributed in such a meaningful way over it's two hundred year history.
      As the current caretakers, our role is to help interpret and celebrate the farm's past. We have tried to be sensitive in the renovation process to think about what materials are used, the scale of the buildings, the types of trees planted, the function of the buildings as they existed then or now. The process of keeping up a farm is ongoing. Changes will occur over the years to come.
      We hope those that visit this web site will take away an appreciation of a rural Vermont farm and it's two hundred year legacy. Additionally they may learn something about what kept the farm alive, the haying, the chickens, the sheep, cattle and pigs, the logging, the maple sugaring and the families that breathed life into the Riverledge Farm.