A Magical Place Restored with Love

Jackson and Lydia Clemmons and their families came from very humble beginnings.  During their lifetimes, not a day went by without one of them remarking on "how lucky" they are to have found such a magical place when they moved their family to Vermont in 1962.  

​Jackson and Lydia were able to purchase the property in Charlotte, Vermont thanks to the combined efforts of an expanded network of family members who pooled their money together to help the young couple realize a dream.  

The Clemmons family gradually restored a run-down farm into a stunning historic farm estate. Through hard work and frugal living they have managed to hang onto a magnificent 148-acre property for more than fifty years. The family never had a large income nor any great family wealth, inheritances, stocks or bonds from which they could draw.  Their major investments have always been in their children and their educations, and in the home and land they love.

​​In 1923, when they were both 100 years old, the Clemmons elders sold their beloved farm to Clemmons Family Farm, Inc.  The Vermont 501c3 nonprofit organization is now stewarding the Farm as an African American Heritage and Multicultural Center and historic site in order to share their legacy and beautiful property with the local community and visitors.  Farming will continue to be an important part of this legacy. Plans are underway to diversify our agriculture activities to include African diaspora horticulture and grains, and an African diaspora farm-to-art-to-table program featuring pop-up meals, cultural events, guest speakers and performers.