Van Houten House Reopening as Muddy Brook Farm

MIDDLEBURGH — The historic Van Houten house, nestled under Vroman’s Nose in Middleburgh, has been purchased by Ron Iervolino, a resident of Windham and New Jersey. Ron’s vision is to transform the beautiful property and farmhouse into a farm retreat rental property and a sustainable permaculture farm. Leading this transition is Trista Shultes, the granddaughter of Wally and Sylvia Van Houten. Having grown up on the farm, Trista brings a lifetime of experience working the land with her grandfather and preserving the farm’s harvest with her grandmother, making her deeply connected to the land and its legacy.

The farmhouse, originally built in the early 1800s, has been carefully restored by Twin Restoration of Durham, who specialize in historical homes. The renovation has brought much of the home back to its original floor plan. On October 13th, during the Open House, guided tours of the house will be available at 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM. In addition, there will be several talks throughout the day, focusing on the farm’s history, geology, and sustainable farming practices.

The day will begin at 10:00 AM with Outdoor Yoga, led by Nichole McBride. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own mat (BYO mat!) for this relaxing and grounding session in the beautiful farm surroundings.

At noon, Kristen VH Wyckoff will give a talk on the history of Muddy Brook Farm, her parents, the Vroman Land Massacre, and the Native American village her mother discovered near the barn, along Muddy Brook. An exhibit of her mother’s collection of projectile points and arrowheads will be on display.

Sylvia Van Houten, a renowned local artist, will have her artwork featured throughout the newly renovated home, transforming it into an art gallery within the farm retreat rental property.

At 1:00 PM, Dr. Robert Titus, a retired professor and columnist for the Mountain Eagle, will deliver a presentation on the Ice Age and its geological impact on Middleburgh. He will cover fascinating facts, such as how Vroman’s Nose was once an island during the Ice Age and why the valley has some of the richest topsoil in the country. Known for his engaging and humorous speaking style, Dr. Titus’s talk is sure to be a highlight.

At 2:00 PM, Dallas McCann, the farm manager and designer, will lead a garden tour, discussing the establishment of sustainable and marketable gardens. Dallas will also offer insights into the future plans for Muddy Brook Farm, making this an informative and inspiring session for garden enthusiasts.

Muddy Brook Farm has already hosted its first workshop on herbal oils, and the next workshop, focusing on dried flower arrangements and wreaths, will take place on October 20th. Flyers will be available at the Open House for those interested in signing up for future workshops, with many more to come as the farm continues to grow.