About the Historic Metcalf-Franklin Farm

A Living Piece of Cumberland’s History

The Historic Metcalf-Franklin Farm, located in Cumberland, Rhode Island, was the town’s last complete and actively working dairy farm. Its agricultural traditions and timeless architecture tell the story of Abbott Run Valley’s evolution from the early 1800s through the early 2000s.

In 1994 and 2005, the Town of Cumberland purchased the 65-acre (63 and 2 respectively) property to protect its agricultural and historical legacy. Since then, the Historic Metcalf-Franklin Farm Preservation Association (HMFFPA) has worked to restore, preserve, and share the farm through charitable, educational, and community engagement programs.

Two Families, Two Centuries, One Legacy

For more than 200 years, Franklin Farm has been continuously cultivated — a rare distinction in New England. The property has had only two family owners: the Metcalfs and the Franklins.

The Metcalf family, among New England’s earliest settlers, arrived in 1637 seeking religious freedom. In 1809, Liberty Metcalf, born in Cumberland in 1776, purchased the land from his father, Ebenezer Metcalf, and established a modest subsistence farm.

Nearly 50 years later, in 1857, William Franklin purchased the property and began to modernize and diversify operations. He expanded the barn, built a new farmhouse along Abbott Run Valley Road, and raised dairy cows. The Franklin family farmed this land for more than 165 years, until the passing of William “Rhodey” Franklin in 2005.

Preserving the Past, Cultivating the Future

The farm’s intact fields, meadows, stone walls, barn, and farmhouse preserve an extraordinary sense of place and authenticity. As preservation experts have noted:

“The intact fields and meadows, buildings and structures, stone walls, barnyard and house yard that compose Franklin Farm possess a remarkable degree of integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association.”(NRHP

Preservation of Franklin Farm, including the William Franklin Home and Barn Complex, is ongoing. The fields, meadows, stone walls, and farm buildings remain remarkably intact—retaining the same charm, craftsmanship, and sense of place that have defined the property for generations.

"Franklin Farm is where history grows—and the community comes together to preserve it.”

Today, Franklin Farm thrives as a community hub where history, sustainability, and education meet. Volunteers grow thousands of pounds of fresh vegetables each year for Rhode Islanders experiencing food insecurity. Educational programs and seasonal events invite visitors to connect with the land, learn about agriculture, and carry forward the farm’s legacy.

Explore & Learn More

Franklin Farm is proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
📜 National Register of Historic Places- The Historic Metcalf Franklin Farm

Join Us in Preserving the Past and Growing the Future

Franklin Farm exists today because of people like you — neighbors, volunteers, and supporters who believe in preserving our shared history while helping those in need.

Whether you lend a hand in the garden, help restore the barn, or support educational programs, your involvement makes a lasting difference.

Volunteer with Us ↗️  •  Donate Today ↗️  •  Learn More ↗️

Together, we’re preserving history — and planting hope for generations to come.