On September 12th, MSSPA had the pleasure of co-hosting a book reading with esteemed equine vet and author Dr. David Jefferson at Skyline Farm in North Yarmouth. Dr. J, who also serves as an MSSPA Director, read from and discussed his most recent book, “Goodbye Old Friend: The Euthanasia of Your Horse.” Though the topic is emotional for many, Dr. J’s long experience and great sensitivity made for an interesting and uplifting conversation. While some MSSPA folks have a long history with the storied Skyline Farm, for others it was an exciting first visit to the facility. Today’s Skyline is a 54-acre campus run by a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working to transform Skyline Farm into a community resource as a living carriage museum with an antique carriage & sleigh collection, while also preserving the farm’s open space and historic buildings for recreational and educational use.
Skyline Farm is charming inside and out. There are over 2 miles of public trails looping through the lovely woods and fields, which are open to non-motorized uses year round. Another non-profit organization called Farm to Table Kids makes its home on the farm, with a Sunflower Garden, a Recipe Garden, and a greenhouse. The tomatoes found at the Farm to Table Kids stand were the best of the season! Skyline Farm even hosts a Little Free Library, absolutely stuffed with horse books.
For horse lovers and history lovers alike, the most exciting aspect of Skyline Farm comes to light when you step into the extensive carriage museum. The conveyances shown change twice a year, and the exhibit at the time of writing was called “Summertime Amusements To and Fro,” which showed all sorts of vehicles that would have been used during the summer season. Many other horse-drawn vehicles were on display, including a hearse and an absolutely stunning “school sleigh,” an enclosed sleigh with benches just like a modern school bus!
Whether you would like to bring your dog to walk the trails, enjoy the beautifully preserved farmhouse with its New England “big house, little house, back house, barn” configuration, or experience horse-powered history in the carriage museum, Skyline Farm should be on your list! The carriage museum is open Sundays 1PM-4PM through October 24th or by appointment. Admission is free and donations to the non-profit organization are appreciated. There are many events happening at Skyline Farm, so please check their website for more details. When you visit Skyline Farm, let them know their friends at MSSPA sent you!
Skyline Farm
95 The Lane, North Yarmouth
(207) 829-9203
Skyline Farm – Facebook Page