350 Years of Land Stewardship

East Haddam, CT – Around 1655, in Much Haddam, England, money was raised to send Nicholas Ackley to “the colonies” to establish a Congregational Church. He first settled near Hartford, but the settlement was repeatedly flooded. He then petitioned King Charles II of England and a small band of settlers was awarded a grant of 104 square miles of high ground straddling the Connecticut River farther south. They named the new community Haddam. After building a church and house in present day Haddam, Nicholas Ackley searched for better soil on a high fertile plain east of the river. In 1662, he moved most of his livestock, built himself a “stout” barn, and installed a 26 foot deep hand dug well in what is now East Haddam.

Three hundred and fifty years later, the original chestnut beams can be seen in Ballek’s Garden Centers’ red barn. The farmhouse that houses the giftshop and offices is the third house on its original 1690 foundation. The original well still functions to this day. Seven generations of Ackleys continued farming with mixed livestock and crops. The next three generations of Gelstons brought purebred cows, horses, pigs and poultry. In 1969, the dairy herd was sold in order to pursue the greenhouse and garden center business full-time. Today, the garden center’s organic and sustainable growing practices support environmental vitality and soil health. The electricity and hot water is provided through solar power. In continuity, the land was enriched and stewarded for future generations.

On July 7th and 8th, 2012, the Ballek’s Garden Center family invites friends from East Haddam and the surrounding area to stop by to celebrate the history of 350 years of stewardship and renew the commitment to protect the land for future generations. A commemorative photo will be dedicated and attendees asked to sign a pledge for future stewardship. A special event tent will host displays on composting, native plants, water conservation, herbs for health, Land Trust, Open Space conservation and Agricultural Commission information, book sale, storytelling and more. Tours of the solar array will be available. Children’s activities, music, and food vendors are also planned.

Submitted by Press Release by Nancy McKinnon