Gay Farm is a historic colonial house located on the north side of Nichewaug Hill in Petersham, Massachusetts. Built in 1740 by William Negus, the house is the oldest surviving building in Petersham.[2] Negus' family owned the home until 1819, when Joel Stearns purchased the property. Thomas Stevens Howe, great grandson of William Negus, purchased the home in 1847 and lived there until his death in 1893. His daughter Elizabeth and her husband Charles M. Gay lived in the house during their lifetimes, giving it its current name.[3] Not having any children, the home then passed to their relative Lewis H. Babbitt and his wife Corinne who lived out their lives there.

Gay Farm
Gay Farm is located in Massachusetts
Gay Farm
Gay Farm is located in the United States
Gay Farm
Nearest cityPetersham, Massachusetts
Coordinates42°27′50″N 72°11′6″W / 42.46389°N 72.18500°W / 42.46389; -72.18500
Built1740
NRHP reference No.77000201 [1]
Added to NRHPSeptember 22, 1977

The farm was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  2. ^ "Gay Farm". Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System. Massachusetts Historical Commission. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  3. ^ Coolidge, Mabel Cook (1948). The History of Petersham, Massachusetts. pp. 58–59.