|
|
|
|
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 Christmas tree farm was established in 1978 by Michael Gaver at age 17. The first sales were in 1984. Today, there are about fifty acres planted in trees of different stages of growth. Mike and Lisa Gaver run a diversified family farming operation. In the past year the family has sold the milking dairy herd after almost 50 years on the same farm and continues to raise Holstein dairy heifers. The family has now added fall festival and pumpkin harvest events! They also raise crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat, and various hay crops. 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 senior studying Dairy Science and Accounting at Virginia Tech and Greg is a freshman studying Agribusiness at the University of Maryland. You are invited to come and experience the farm firsthand!
|
