Experience New England's Past And Visit Watson Farm in Jamestown, Rhode Island

Welcome to a farm setting which gives you a nostalgic and a tranquil feeling! 


Recently,  I took a trip to Watson Farm, it is a 265- acre picturesque working family farm located in Jamestown, Rhode Island. It is a farm which preserves the way of life synonymous to New England's past. The farm consists of fields, pastures, and woodland owned and operated as a working farm by Historic New England.
A little history about it,  as indicated by their site, Thomas Carr Watson, Jr., whose family had worked the area for more than 200 years, gave the farm to Historic New England in 1979. Having viewed the decline of the family farm in his lifetime, Watson wished to save the house and land as well as the lifestyle that for hundred of years had been synonymous with New England.

A beautiful New England autumn scene with fiery foliage.

Today, the farm managers continue the tradition of the small family farm,  raising cattle and sheep according to methods of sustainable agriculture. Although,  the 1796 farmhouse, the farm managers' residence,  is not open to the public. 

The farmer sells meat which is produced from their animals that are 100% grass-fed. The products are phenomenal! Free from the added artificial preservatives. The sausage, patties and various other items are genuinely a thing to be savored. They also produce wool blankets for local markets.

A well composed portrait of a Devon grazing on a field makes this Autumn impressionist painting more interesting.

At the entrance, there are brochures and guide maps provided to lead you on a 2-mile walk around the farm. They're open June 1-October 15, Tuesday and Sunday, 1-5 PM.
$4 adults, $3 seniors, $2 students and children. Historic New England members free. 


Visitors are welcome to explore the farm on their own by following a self-guided walking tour. Here you can explore the farm fields and pastures, observe wildlife and view seasonal farm activities.

As you walk by the paths, you can take a path which leads through cows and sheep in fenced in grazing areas. The flock of sheep and cattle which are mostly Red Devon Cattle are freely roaming on the farm and and are moved between grazing areas. 
You can also take a path which leads to the stunning view of the Narragansett Bay. You casually stroll on these paths which give you a sense of peace to forgetting your troubles.

This old windmill has been an important feature of the farm since the late 18th century. The windmill pumps water from an 80 foot deep well, which flows through underground pipes to watering outlets for the animals in the pastures. the wooden tank at the base of the windmill stores 2,000 gallons of water, most of which is needed for the livestock because each cow drinks an average of ten gallons during a summer day. The strong winds that blow across Conanicut Island make windmills an economical means of pumping water, and today some residents also use windmills to generate electricity.

An eye catching fence composed of rocks which leads your eye to this stunning Autumn Tree. Also, beyond this stone walls are hay fields where they plant and harvest crop to provide winter food for livestock.

I was fortunate to be there on that day because it was just the impeccable timing and spot for the nature's display of her distinctive fall colors.  
Equipped with my camera, I managed to capture several delightful New England Autumnal Farm Scenes and I have been using them as reference photographs for my Pastoral Paintings Collection.

  I have commenced a series of paintings from Watson Farm and some of my work are still in progress. 
Hopefully, It will be completed afore the year ends, The Watson Farm setting is beautiful and so serene that you will forget all unpleasantness that are going on in your life. The farm is undoubtedly one of the gems of New England.

Red Devon cattle grazing on the field of Watson Farm. Devon is considered to be the best type of animal for grass farming.

I'm glad I had the opportunity to visit this farm. And I think, every once in a while, it's a great idea to visit a place like this to be away from the hustle and bustle of city life. 

 So explore and experience authentic New England history by visiting Watson Farm and by viewing these several finished creations I am posting here, I hope you'll enjoy them!

Devon cattle grazing on pasture in a perfect Autumn afternoon. Watson farm is cooperating in an international project to revive a heritage of breed of cattle, the Red Devon which are the same type as the cattle shipped to Plimoth Colony in 1623.

View more of my Watson Farm Paintings here