Prescott Farm offers a wide variety of educational programs that cater to all ages, focusing on hands-on learning and deep connections with nature.
Our state-of-the-art facilities support both indoor and outdoor learning environments, creating a versatile experience for participants of all ages! Each of our programs are welcoming, professional and informative!
Prescott Farm is a designated wildlife viewing area open year-round to the public with over 160 acres of idyllic farmland, forest, and pastures including more than three miles of woodland, pond and field trails, Heritage Gardens, and a Natural PlayScape. Open dawn to dusk, 7 days a week to explore!
Samuel P. Pardoe Building
The Samuel P. Pardoe Building opened in October 2005 and provides 2,500 square feet of space for Fledglings Preschool, educational programs and office operations. The building is environmentally friendly, it was designed and built to be on the cutting edge of sustainable architectural practices! The siding is made with eastern white cedar, the framing is made with local spruce and hemlock, and the flooring is made with locally-milled red pine. The building was oriented to maximize daylight and reduce dependence on electric light. Northern exposure is minimized and direct southern sun is allowed during the winter, but excluded during the summer with overhangs and exterior sun shades. The heating and cooling system is a geothermal heat pump using groundwater as a heat exchanger. Domestic hot water is provided through on-demand hot water heaters. Neither oil nor gas is required to run any of the systems in the building! The roofing is made of reflective metal which reduces the cooling load in the summer. The exterior walls have been designed with modern techniques in insulation, air infiltration control, and moisture control with energy recovery ventilation (ERVs) to help ensure necessary air circulation.
The “green” building design incorporates many energy-efficient features such as:
- Use of local building materials
- Reuse of site materials to minimize site disturbance
- Solar Orientation & Photovoltaics
- Geothermal heating and cooling
- Energy-efficient materials
The Historic 1883 Barn
In 2017 Prescott Farm manifested our commitment to preservation by restoring our 1883 barn. Over the course of 9 months the restoration team restored the original timber frame of the barn and reset the stone foundation. The team also extended the main barn floor across the open space where hay was once stored, making the barn space nearly twice as big! This new, functional space provides much needed room for our WildQuest camps, school field trips, and public programs.
The Connector (Helen’s Meeting Room)
This versatile meeting space is available as a facility rental. It comfortably accommodates up to 20 people and includes a dedicated area for refreshments. It comes equipped with a small refrigerator, coffee maker, and hot water for tea. Wi-Fi is available for your convenience with bluetooth broadcast for powerpoint, video or touch screen presentations. The image shows tables and chairs, with additional seating available upon request.
Innovation Center
Prescott Farm’s new 2-level Innovation Center incorporates a large activity space above and a much needed farm and garden equipment storage garage built into the hill below. The upper space is designed as a multi-station teaching kitchen and project learning classroom, with a food preparation porch to the garden side. The open barn-like gabled ceiling is treated with slatted wood acoustic panels while a low maintenance poured epoxy protects the floor below, and the entire space is daylit with tall windows on all sides. These new facilities have allowed us to expand our existing programs, and to create new ones that reach a larger community and fulfill our mission to connect people with their natural environment through experiential activities. See more here: https://lbpa.com/project/innovation-center-and-farm-connector-at-prescott-farm/
