Protecting and sharing the legacy of Bayonet Farm 10th annual Earth Day Celebration to be held April 27 BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer Don't blink as you drive along Middletown Road, or you may miss the entrance to what has been referred to as "Holmdel's Greatest Hidden Treasure." PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Top: The red barn at Bayonet Farm will house an arts and theater program during summer workshops. The barn has also played host to concerts and art exhibitions. Bottom: The main house at the farm sits amid rolling pastures and tree lines off Middletown Road in Holmdel and dates to the early 19th century. Bayonet Farm is tucked away from the winding country road, quietly standing along the tree lines and farm fields as a symbol of Holmdel's history and legacy.   "It's something we are really proud of," said Bill Hennigan, co-chair of the township's Bayonet and Cross Farms Advisory Committee. "Slowly, we are trying to open it up to everyone in Holmdel." Studded with trails, wide open farm fields, outbuildings for all types of uses and a beautiful Colonial revival home, Bayonet Farm has served as host to barn dances, art festivals and music shows. While the farm is not completely commissioned for private use yet, the committee, made up of seven volunteers, has been working hard supporting programs that are respectful of the property as well as programs that adhere to the newly adopted mission of Bayonet Farm, Hennigan said. The mission, recently approved by the Township Committee, states that the use of the farm should adhere to the advancement of the cultural, historical and environmental heritage of Holmdel and its surrounding region through educational programs, exhibitions, performances, recreation and other related activities.   The 230-acre farm, which is overseen by the Holmdel Township Parks and Recreation Department, has been placed under the stewardship of an advisory committee. The committee has been charged with protecting the use of the farm and creating a way for the farm to support itself. Currently, the committee is formulating a well-structured 501(c)3management master plan so the property will be able to be used to raise funds for its maintenance. "This is a very exciting time for the farm," said PhyllisAmeduri, co-chair of the Bayonet and Cross Farms Advisory Committee. "Holmdel is really very lucky to have this property."   Debbie Voorhees, director of Parks and Recreation, echoed Ameduri's sentiment. "As a Parks and Recreation director, I strive for versatility and uniqueness, not just athletic fields," Voorhees said. "Most municipalities do not own places like Bayonet Farm. For me, it really completes the whole picture of a comprehensive Parks and Recreation Department." Voorhees explained that the property is home to a number of trails, and it borders the Ramenessin Brook and also backs up to the Lucent property. "This is more than just a place for people to walk their dogs," Voorhees said. "I have come by, and there are joggers, people on bicycles and people riding horses. The Holmdel Police Department trains their K- 9 units here as well; there is something for everyone here." Hennigan expressed the committee's dedication to preserving the integrity of the farm and the importance of slowly opening it up for public use, while adhering to previous owner Laura Harding's bequest and conforming to Green Acres funding requirements. "We really would love to expand the use of the farm and restore the main house, but that is a slow process," Hennigan said. "It is also a very expensive process." The committee would like to use the house for fundraising, showcasing the architecture and grandeur of the house. "We really hope to someday get the house back to its original grandeur," Ameduri said. There are four structures on the property: two houses and two barns. The Swanson house was renovated in 2006 by Holmdel Township and has been rented out for private housing. Similarly, the agricultural fields are currently leased to a local farmer. "Rather than let the farm become overgrown, the land is cultivated and kept beautiful when we invite local farmers to bid on the fields," Voorhees said. The red barn has been home to outdoor music concerts and art shows. The gray barn plays host to barn dances and art exhibitions. The committee recently obtained the town's approval to conduct a series of arts workshops in the red barn for area students this summer. The farm was acquired in 1985 by Holmdel Township for the sum of $1.6 million with the help of state Green Acres funds. It had been a retreat home for New York City socialite and aspiring actress Laura Harding. Harding, whose 1920 debutante ball guest list included members of the prominent Rockefeller family as guests and coverage by The New York Times, bought the property in 1936. It was only 60 acres at that time, but Harding, a Rumson resident, added to the property, and today it encompasses a total of 230 acres, much of it acquired through various grants and other open space acquisitions. According to historical information provided by Ameduri, the main house was built in the early 19th century when JamesMcGee purchased the farm, but the land titles date back to 1677. Harding later transformed the farmhouse into a country estate where the likes of Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy spent many a night as guests at Harding's country oasis. Under the terms of the sale, Harding retained life rights to the property until her death in 1994. Harding and her sister Catherine donated another 90 acres on the other side of Middletown Road with similar life rights. Bayonet Farm has a lively lineup for this year's events, and it's not likely to stay a secret for long. "We really embrace working with the Scout groups around here," Ameduri said, "so one of the next projects is to have them beautify the entrance so residents won't just drive by." Bayonet Farm, located at 41 Middletown Road, will be a bustling place April 27 from noon to 5 p.m., when the 10th annual Bayonet FarmEarth Day Celebration will take place rain or shine. The day will begin with a greenway walk from Holmdel Park to Bayonet Farm along the Ramenessin Brook starting at 10 a.m. Activities will include an Earth Day art exhibit using recycled materials, pony rides, kids' crafts, a presentation on the raptors that soar overhead, and American Indian stories and music courtesy of Kenneth Little Hawk. Information on alternative products will be available, as will representatives of themany Holmdel organizations that help keep the town "green." For more information about Earth Day at Bayonet Farm, call (732) 772-0398. Friends of Holmdel Open Space will host its second annual barn dance in the gray barn on Friday, May 16, from 7 to 11 p.m. For information, contact Elise Donovan at (732) 264-4630.