Persevering the History of Family Farm CommunitiesBySamuel Nelson

Heritage Project Goal

To uncover more about the history of the Ives family, as farmers, in order to come to a fuller understanding of family farm systems in New York State.

Home built by Samuel Ives

Home built in the 1850’s. This farmhouse was originally inhabited by members of the Ives family. Little has been altered, and this could be a potential “goldmine” for archaeologists to look into.

Ives Settlement Road

The road is aptly named. The Ives family were among the first to settle in East Guilford, and still have three generations of their family currently living on this historic road.

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Roots that Run DeepThis cemetery is dedicated solely to members of the Ives family. Gravestones here date back as early as 1750. The weeds are faithfully trimmed by members of the Ives family. However, as visible in these photos, it is in mild disrepair.

The Ives Family Today

O. Ives established this farm in 1894. It is currently owned and run by Terry Ives with the help of his children and father. The farm itself is home to over 100 dairy cows in addition to a verity of other animals.

Why this Research Project is Important and Relevant

Ives family were among the first to settle in East Guilford making them very important in the town’s history

They have built/own most of the houses on Ives Settlement Road

Studying the history of the Ives could bring a wealth of new information about family farm systems

This information, if found, could then be used for education of the public, and for posterity both in public schools and in higher education

Requirements of the ProjectThe overall cost of this project is relatively low. The time frame for this project would be at least one year.

A Historian would be needed to document the Ives family Cost = Approximately 40-50 thousand U.S dollars A web technician would also be needed to create an updated website to

house some of the information found so it can be more easily accessible to the general public

Cost = Approximately 500-1000 dollars Contractors and supplies to build a new wall around the Ives Cemetery (if the

Ives family permits it) Cost = 5000-10’000 dollars I would also like to get the local historical society of Guilford involved by

having them work with the historian in documentation, and to keep the renovated website up to date (should one be obtained)

Cost = Nothing Eventually, if the project were to take off, I would also like to get the New York

State Historical Society involved in publicizing all research that is completed