The Magruder-Bussard farmstead is located within the 455-acre Agricultural History Farm Park, where visitors can explore the history of farming through a historic farmhouse, barn, and various farm buildings, as well as a modern activity center. The park offers a variety of educational programs that highlight past farming practices, including events like Little Farmer Storytime, Homeschool History, Sensory Saturday, and the Harvest Festival. These programs provide hands-on experiences for all ages, helping the community connect with the region’s agricultural heritage. To stay updated on upcoming events and programs, subscribe to the Montgomery Parks Newsletter and follow us on Facebook.
History of the Agricultural History Farm Park
The Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood, Maryland, is a well-preserved example of Montgomery County’s agricultural past, with a history that dates back to the 17th century. The land was originally part of early colonial settlements, with settlers establishing farms to cultivate crops like tobacco, corn, and wheat. Over time, the region became known for its fertile soil and strategic location, making it a hub for farming and agricultural growth.
In the 18th century, the farm’s operations were reliant on the labor of enslaved individuals who were forced to work the land and care for the livestock. Enslaved people played an essential role in the farming process, contributing to the agricultural development that supported the local economy. They worked the fields, harvested crops, and performed domestic duties, their labor central to the success of the farmstead. Despite the challenges of forced labor, the contributions of enslaved people remain an important part of the farm’s history and the history of agriculture in Montgomery County.
The Magruder-Bussard farm, which forms the heart of the Agricultural History Farm Park, stands as a tangible representation of the evolution of farming in the region. Built in the late 19th century, this farmstead offers a glimpse into rural life at the turn of the 20th century. In 1898, the Bussard family built the large frame bank barn with the help of Frederick County barn builders. The barn features distinctive elements, including square louvered windows, German siding, a stone foundation, and a half-open fore-bay, which were common in the region’s agricultural structures at the time.
Ten years later, the Bussards remodeled the farmhouse, converting it into a two-story frame dwelling while preserving the foundation and original log and stone structure. The house reflects traditional building styles, with a 19th-century east kitchen wing and an 1864 rear ell. This late example of a one-room-deep, center-hall, center-cross-gable house demonstrates the persistence of traditional building forms in the county, even as agricultural practices and technology evolved.
The farm also contains several other important structures that were vital to its operation, including a large log smokehouse, a frame granary, and a water tower (tank house) moved to the site in 1998 from Etchison’s Dorsey Farm. These buildings, along with a chicken coop, corn crib, broody house, carriage shed, hay barracks, equipment shed, granary, and privy, provide a comprehensive look at the tools and structures that supported farming life in the early 20th century.
The Bussard family owned and operated the farm until the 1970s, when they sold the property to Montgomery County to preserve it as a park. Today, the Agricultural History Farm Park serves as a living history museum, offering educational programs and events that highlight the agricultural practices of the past and their impact on the community. It also acknowledges the complex history of slavery and the contributions of both free and enslaved people who shaped the development of farming in Montgomery County. Through its preserved buildings, exhibitions, and educational efforts, the farm remains a symbol of the region’s agricultural legacy and a place to reflect on the role that agriculture, and the people who worked it, have played in shaping the area’s history.
Newmantown at Agricultural History Farm Park
Newmantown was a small, historic community located on the western edge of the Magruder-Bussard farm. In 1879, Albert Newman and his wife, Mary Ellen Burke, both free Black people from Virginia, purchased land here. Although the land was not suitable for farming—referred to as “starvin land”—the Newmans supported their large family by working for other local farmers, in addition to trying to make a living from their own farm.
Albert and Mary Newman’s family grew, and by 1920, several homes were built on the property, mostly by the Newman family. These homes became the heart of Newmantown, which became known as a social center for the local Black community. The family’s hard work, despite the challenges of the land, made them a well-known and respected part of the area.
One of the Newmans’ sons, Morton Maury (called “Epp”), became famous in the community as an orchardist. His work with fruit trees helped support the family and made an impact on the local farming community. Unfortunately, none of the original structures remain, but there is a powerful vision to create a replica that honors this vital community. This future project seeks to educate both present and future generations about the profound contributions of this group, ensuring their legacy is not only preserved but celebrated for years to come.
The Newmans came to Maryland after the second battle of Manassas during the Civil War. They traveled through Washington, D.C., and eventually made their way to the Brookville and Derwood areas of Montgomery County. Though records are unclear about their exact route, the Newmans settled in Derwood, where their family continued to grow and farm.
Today, the story of Newmantown is an important chapter in the history of the Agricultural History Farm Park. It highlights the resilience and strength of the Newman family and their contributions to the community, despite facing many hardships. Newmantown serves as a reminder of the rich history of African American farming communities in Montgomery County.
Source: Kelly, John. The Albert Newman Family Came to Newmantown from the Northern Neck, Virginia and Beyond. 2nd ed., 2019.
Come On In!
Staff is available in the farm park’s maintenance shed to answer questions or address issues Tuesday – Friday 10 am – 4 pm
Please feel free to come in to learn more about what the farm park offers!
The Farm Park Staff
Historic Site Manager – Trenda Davidson
Farm Program Interpreter – Heather Morris
Farm Program Interpreter – Erica Cruz