Welcome to the historical photo gallery, a collection of photos taken from the archives with many never seen before photos. These vintage photos capture the unique Life, Legend and history of Louis Bromfield’s family, friends and farm life in his rural Ohio farm, Malabar Farm. We hope you enjoy viewing this collection and stop by to see new additions as they are discovered. Click over photos for information about each photo.
Photo Gallery
* Click on any image to learn more, Photo Credits Ohio Department of Natural Resources *
Bromfield understood the importance of soil and water conservation. He once said,
“The problem of soil and water conservation is our gravest and most fundamental national problem.” Its is the duty of every citizen, for his own welfare, if for no other reason, to support and fight for and possibly initiate measures having to do with conservation of soil,water and forests” -Louis Bromfield
Bromfield used the example of the steel mills in Youngstown, Ohio, to highlight the importance of the issue. In 1941, the mill was near closing because there was no water. Almost exactly one year later it was near closing due to flooding; flooding caused by heavy rainfall and poor soil profiles.
Rain falls the same way as it always has, but because forests and sod have been destroyed as a result of destructive farming methods, only about twenty to forty percent of the water remains. What happens to the rest? It sweeps away into rivers and to oceans almost immediately, taking with it tons of precious topsoil. Louis Bromfield used Malabar Farm to spread the message about the importance of soil and water conservation.
Bromfield always enjoyed a reason to gather family and friends at the farm. What better way than a traditional barn dance in the old Herring barn next to the Big House? Live music was provided against the backdrop of an old traditional German timber frame built barn from the 1800’s. The main barn is a symbol of the efforts of the Foundation to preserve the buildings and legacy of Louis Bromfield.
Today, this tradition continues with several barn dances open to the public each year. Live music and a caller are a great way to enjoy a unique social gathering and get a taste for what it was like in the early days of Malabar Farm. These barn dances are fun for the whole family, and they are perfect for everyone from beginners to more experienced dancers. Be sure to check the calendar on the ODNR website for dates and times.
As it has for many centuries, over 2,000 gallons of spring water flow every hour from a source deep within the sandstone bedrock near the old Schrack brick homestead. The spring house served as Bromfield’s Malabar Farm roadside market, a gift to his wife Mary. It also helped keep the many visitors from bothering his farm workers asking for fresh produce. On occasion, many of Bromfield’s famous guests, including actor James Cagney, were asked to work at the market selling produce. The Schrack home and springhouse served as a stage coach stop for watering horses in 1880’s along the Marietta to Sandusky Ohio stagecoach trail.
Louis Bromfield is a Pulitzer Prize winning author for his novel “Early Autumn”. The coveted Pulitzer Prize is awarded by Columbia University. It is a respected recognition of literary and journalistic accomplishments. Louis Bromfield wrote thirty best selling books, and he also wrote scripts for Hollywood movies, including the animated story “Ferdinand the Bull” for Walt Disney.
Most farmers used tractors and wagons, but Louis Bromfield loved his Willys Jeep. The Willys was once a vehicle used mostly by the military because of its ability to handle tough terrain. Willys made a wide variety of farm attachments for the Jeep to encourage its use on the farm. Bromfield was a spokesman and loaned Jeeps for use at Malabar Farm to promote their agriculture uses. That is why they also became popular with sportsmen.
Now, this type of vehicle, which would later become known as “Jeeps”, is enjoyed by a wide variety of drivers from the open highway to the off-road trail. The Malabar Farm Foundation restored Bromfield’s original 1945 Willys Jeep, which is preserved and on display in the Big House garage. Stop by and take a look.
Ahhhh, that sweet elixir of spring…..Bromfield’s family and friends gathered annually for the tradition of collecting maple sap and boiling it down for pure maple syrup. Using the same trees the Bromfields tapped long ago, the tradition continues today during the parks Annual Maple Syrup Festival the first two weekends in March. It is quite an event that the whole family will enjoy. Stop by for some of that sweet maple syrup to try with your favorite pancake recipe.
