The History of Chesterfield, New Hampshire


 

Valentine's Day, 2001
Cow-milking weather, unfortunately:
that's the view out the web-master's window this morning.   We have about 4-5 inches of snow on the ground and no predicitions for more snow tomorrow, so tomorrow's Revolutionary War Field trip is still on.  (The Valley Forge version). 
Dress warmly, kids!

February 14, 2001
Oak Glen, California

Dear Friends & Family,

Last weekend military artist Jim Dietz staged the French & Indian battle scenes on the right.   Jim has been commissioned by a branch of the U.S. Armed Services to paint a portrait of the original Roger's Rangers.  (Hopefully, we'll be able to post a printed version of the finished oil on canvas here on our site.)

The red-faced fellow in the first picture, in real life, is a marine surgeon and the fellow behind him, drawing a bead on the camera, is "Mad Jack" Cooper, a long-time farm regular.

For many years, I didn't think we would ever see authentic eastern colonial Indian reenactors here, but thanks to Eric Elias and friends, (some of whom traveled out here from New Mexico for the day), we have a healthy, and fearsome, contingent of Iroquois!

Congratulations to Jim Frassett of Morgan's Rangers for staging a good fight!

God Bless and Keep your powder dry!

--James Riley

P.S.  We're still working on our 2001 calendar.   (We don't expect it to change much from last year, so you should be able to plan accordingly, but check back here in a few weeks.)

P.S. For the sake of those "web portals" constantly browsing the internet to update their search engines, we include the following boiler-plate. (Feel free to read this, if you're new to our site.)

Riley's Farm is a working apple orchard and living history farm in the Oak Glen area of Southern California. In addition to farming, we love history and we have provided a venue for re-enactment units comprising many different eras. The farm regularly hosts banquets, birthday parties, weddings, and office parties. Every year, literally thousands of students participate in one of our school tours, where they experience everything from weaving, candle-dipping, and cider pressing to the drill and muster of a Revolutionary War or Civil War battle. Our farm has appeared on the History Channel and in the recently released feature film, Amistad, as well as many other film and television productions. (We even try to get the producers to include us as on screen talent, but that's another story.) On selected weekends throughout the year, we offer "farm-stay" weekends, where families can experience--clothing, wood stoves, muskets, and all--the life of an 18th or 19th century American farmer. We grow sweet corn, apples, raspberries, pears, and sunflowers, just to mention a few of our crops. Our nephew, Devon, keeps some beautiful Belgian draft horses for country hay-rides. We love America--its traditions, its people, its history, and its cherished heritage of liberty in Christ. Have we said enough? Well, one more thing: In the fall, thousands of families make an annual pilgrimage to the farms of Oak Glen to experience the closest thing to a New England fall California has to offer. Why don't you stop by and say hello?

P.S.  Stay Clear of this "Cider House"

A Picture of the Riley Family

Contacting us via e-mail at: info@rileysfarm.com.

Sign our Guest Book.

Riley's Farm
12261 S. Oak Glen Road
Oak Glen, California 92399

(909) 797-7534

Riley's Farm, Copyright 1997-2000, All Rights Reserved