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Gaver Tree Farm History Original Historic Homestead
The original homestead was named ‘Glenmont,’ the ancestral home of the Dorsey family. Originally, the settlement consisted of 1500 acres taken up as ‘Dorsey Search.’ Samuel Dorsey built the historic home around 1800. Many Dorsey family members are buried in the family cemetery located on our farmstead just east of field four. You are welcome to visit the cemetery. The brick portion of the house was built in 1823. His son Pottinger (also buried in cemetery) later owned the property until his death in 1905. At that time the Detrick family purchased the property, hence the name Detrick Road, usually named for the first homeowner when a road is created. In 1927 Dr. Frederick Louis Detrick became owner along with his sister. Dr. Detrick is who Fort Detrick in Frederick is named after. In addition, Pottinger Dorsey had a more famous brother, Ignatius who grew up at ‘Glenmont’. Army Captain Ignatius Dorsey led commands through campaigns during the Civil War. He was present at Antietam, Gettysburg and many other influential battles. The Gaver Family- Mike and Lisa Gaver, along with children Laura and Gregory run a diversified family farming operation. Gaver Tree Farm, LLC was established in 1978 by Michael Gaver at age 17. The farm’s first sales were in 1984 and today there are about fifty acres of cut your own Christmas trees planted in different stages of growth. The pumpkin business was started in 1998 by then 9-year-old son Greg in his first year in 4-H, when as part of his gardening project he had a bumper crop and set up a small self-serve stand in the front yard. In 2007, Gaver Pumpkin Patch was established as the family expanded the farm stand to include hayrides to the patch for pick your own pumpkins and added an Ag-tourism Fall-Fun-Festival with Corn Mazes, Farm Animals and numerous fun and educational activities for families. In addition, Gaver Farm is a food producer. In 2007, after 50 years on the same farm the family sold their milking dairy herd. They continue to raise Holstein dairy heifers and have started an Angus beef herd. They operate a crop farm and grow corn, soybeans, wheat and various hays. Hay and straw are offered on the farm for sale year round. Children Laura and Greg help in all aspects of the farming operation. Laura is a 2009 graduate of Virginia Tech with degrees in both Dairy Science and Accounting. Greg is a sophomore studying Economics and Plant Science at the University of Maryland. The Gaver Family was Frederick County Farm Family of the Year for 2005 and was presented the Take Pride in America award for 2008 for outstanding conservation and environmental stewardship practices. You are invited to come and experience the farm firsthand! |
