Welcome to the Heritage Farms Media Information

Heritage Farms has provided photos, videos and information for the Media's use  We invite you to explore the materials provide for you here and download those that may be helpful in creating you story, we also welcome you to contact us and come out to visit Heritage Farms.

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We have a very welcoming family oriented historical farm within the backdrop of the Cuyahoga Valley and are located in the Village of Peninsula. The working farm has been in operation for nearly 175 years.We are always thankful for the media's support and cooperative in helping you develop your view of our family owned and operated farm.

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Carol and George Haramis

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News Releases

2022 Peninsula Flea at Heritage Farms

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Media Information: The Heritage Farms Tradition

We appreciate your interest in Heritage Farms, a family owned farm nestled in the heart of the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley, not far from the river in the lovely and historic Village of Peninsula. 

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Peninsula, settled in 1818, is well known for its rich history, beautiful scenery and a caring community. Historically driven by a pioneering entrepreneurial spirit, the village and Cuyahoga Valley embraces its strong agricultural and industrious history. Today it is home to numerous small businesses as well as numerous artists and craftspersons. A tradition of farming, business and arts exists in our community that spans more than 200 years. 

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Heritage Farms has been a part of this vibrant history for nearly 175 years! The Farm was founded in 1848 and continues to be family owned and operated, as it has for five generations. It has gone through many transformations including having been a canal boat building operation, a potato farm, a dairy farm and a beef cattle farm. 

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Today, Heritage Farms is where families gather to find their Christmas Trees in early winter, participate in a pumpkin paradise in the fall. The spring begins with the fun of the fairy days weekend, followed by the Peninsula Flea Markets. Hipcamp primitive camping and Airbnb vacation rentals are offered on the farm throughout the summer months our customers to enjoy our peaceful farm setting. 

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We believe our farm’s rich family heritage provides a perfect place for you and your family to create your own special memories and traditions. We invite the public to join us on the farm for our spring, summer, fall and winter events– as we strive to be a farm for all seasons! 

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Our Family History on Heritages Farms

Lawson Waterman came to Peninsula from New York State in 1836. After living here for more than a decade and building canal boats, he started to buy the land that has become known as Heritage Farms. Between 1844 and 1878 he purchased ten parcels of land totaling 268 acres. 17 of these acres between Riverview Road and the Cuyahoga River were later sold to stone quarrying companies.

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The present farmhouse, built in 1852, is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings and bears the plaque of the Summit County Century Homes Association. At one time there were three homes and nineteen other farm buildings on the property. Today only two of the original buildings remain standing. Uncle Lawson also operated a boat yard on the canal over the hill east of the house. There are still a few white oak trees on the farm as most were cut for boat keels and ribs. 

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In 1863 Lawson and Angeline Waterman's oldest son George was killed in the Civil War. Five years later Charles E. Bishop, Lawson's 19 year old nephew came to Peninsula from his parents' farm between Mallet Creek and Litchfield in Medina County. Charles was asked to help with the upkeep of a general farm with a large flock of sheep, a dairy, and a large crop of potatoes. One old photograph shows the whole front yard of the present house planted to potatoes. Charlie and his wife Kate inherited the farm and increased the size of the dairy to a 50 head milking herd. Charlie's son, Fred earned his living in Cleveland. When Charlie died in 1929, Kate and her sister Mabel Boodey continued to live on the farm. They rented out shares of the farm to several different farmers over the years until 1948 when Fred and Bernices' son Robert Poole Bishop and his wife Jeanette Knoeppel Bishop took it over. Aberdeen Angus beef cattle then replaced dairying on the farm until the first Christmas trees were planted in 1955. Cut-your-own and freshly cut Scotch Pines, White Pines, Norway, White, and Blue Spruce became the crops of Heritage Farms.

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In 1978 the National Park Service purchased 144 acres of the original farm, including all of the Christmas tree plantings. Only 26 acres were left along with the farm buildings. This portion of the current property is within the National Park boundary and is protected by scenic easement agreements. The 81 acres left outside the park boundaries are where Bob and Jeanette retired and another 10 acres were added to this portion of the farm in 1990.

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Starting in 1983, Bob and Jeanette's daughter, Carol with her husband Kim Haramis, started raising Christmas trees with new plantings on the acreage around the original farm house. The 1989 Christmas season saw their first harvest. Together they were producing cut-your-own and freshly cut Scotch Pine, White Pine, and Blue Spruce Christmas trees. In 1995 the fall event called Pumpkin Pandemonium™ was added as an annual event, Then in 2016 the first primitive camping sites in the tree fields were opened to the public as well as the popular Peninsula Flea that has became a summer long features on the farm. 

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In 2000 Heritage Farms was honored by being named as an Ohio Century Farm. A Century Farm must be a working, family-owned farm for more than 100 years and Heritage Farms has been in the Bishop-Haramis family for 155 years. Carol and George Haramis Jr. of Heritage Farms are honored to be continuing the traditions by operating an Ohio Century Farm. The Century Farm award is made by the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the Ohio Historical Society and Ohio's Country Journal magazine, only eight farms were recognized with this award that year.

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Our family has been operating Heritage Farms since its beginning as the Lawson Waterman farm in 1848. We are planing a special celebration in 2023 which will be our 175th Anniversary Year.

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Seasonal Events at Heritage Farms Information:

the Annual public Event Schedule begins each spring with camping and run through December when all the Christmas trees available for the holidays are sold. 

 

Primitive Camping and Rentals at the Farm

Heritage Farms offers a variety of rental options for your to stay on the Farm – from our Garden Apartment rental to our primitive camp sites. Primitive Camping Sites are available each year from April thru October. The farm also offers a gathering place for a larger meeting or party and we has spaces available to meet the needs of both small and large group events. LEARN MORE 

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Each Summer is our Peninsula Flea at the Farm

Our summer upscale flea market, featuring handmade, repurposed and vintage, high quality items from dedicated artists, crafts people and collectors. Held on the first and last Saturday in June and first Saturday of the month from July thru September from 10am-4pm. LEARN MORE

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Every Fall – PUMPKIN PANDEMONIUM Happens

Held each fall beginning late September thru October you will find Family Activities, Pumpkins, Gourds, Corn Shocks & Straw Bales for sale along with a variety of seasonal refreshments, Activities and Hayrides abound. LEARN MORE

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Christmas Trees & Traditions at Heritage Farms

You will discover the trees we have grown from seedlings that are ready for harvest in the Cut-Your-Own fields along with a great selection of fresh cut trees in the tree barn where you can also find greenery and enjoy the warmth of hot chocolate sipped by the fireplace.​ LEARN MORE

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