Harford Legacy Farm Commemorative Book

47

Current Owners: Gene and Louise Harlan Umbarger, Katharine Umbarger-Dallam, Worley Umbarger Original Purchaser: George C. Umbarger Current Acreage: 164 Current Agricultural Products or Services: alfalfa, corn, soybeans, small grains, sheep, and beef Preserved and Historical Designation Woolsey Farm est. 1918 - Churchville, MD

Originally part of the properties known as Aquilla's Inheritance and Good Neighborhood, 312 acres were purchased in 1844 by one of Harford County's great philanthropist, William Woolsey; Woolsey owned it until 1888. After passing through several other owners, it was bought by George C. Umbarger in 1918, inherited by his son Worley N. Umbarger, and then by his son Worley Gene Umbarger. Currently, owned by a partnership of Worley Gene Umbarger, his wife Louise Harlan Umbarger, and their children Katharine Umbarger-Dallam and Worley Umbarger. As stated in HA-1538 (Maryland Historical Trust), Woolsey Farm contains a remarkable array of outbuildings from the mid 19th to early 20th Century: a blacksmith shop, barn, tool shed, dairy/smokehouse, privy/washhouse, carriage house, and log tenant house. After being destroyed in a fire, a 1960s house replaced the original house. The stone blacksmith shop beside the road was recently restored. The records of the history of Woolsey Farm provide an outstanding compendium of information about the 18th, 19th, and 20th-century habits and styles of living since excellent records of the wills, inventories, and accounts of each early owner exist.

Worley Umbarger

When William Woolsey owned the farm, he paid for the paving of Route 22 between Bel Air and Aberdeen, of Route 136 from Churchville to Calvary Church just north of Creswell, of Glenville Road, and Route 155 from Churchville to Havre de Grace. The Umbarger family's civic contributions to Harford County have differed from Woolsey's financial gifts, but we have striven to maintain the farm's agricultural heritage and have donated our time and talents as members of various County agricultural boards and committees. Like many Harford County farmers, we transitioned from dairy farming to raising beef and lamb, while continuing to harvest various crops. As the population has grown, we have enabled County residents to purchase local meat and to understand their connection to local agriculture. We feel strongly about preserving our way of life on this land of which we have been the proud stewards. Gene Umbarger