382: Lynn McMahon on A Century Old Urban Farm.
Building history with six generations on the same homestead.
Lynn lives with her husband Mike and their Walker Coonhound on their family’s 128-year-old urban farm homestead bought by her husband’s great grandfather in 1890 on the outskirts of town. They are the 4th generation living in the house and growing food on a small city lot. They’ve raised 4 children there and now with 8 grandchildren visiting, the 6th generation is connected to the very same land.
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In This Podcast:
She and her husband bought his parents’ home and she thought it was just going to be temporary until she could get a place out in the country. Now Lynn McMahon is able to share her gratitude to her grandchildren and with us for the special connection to family and history on this homestead. Even the plants and trees help connect multiple generations together in this EPIC story of multiple generations on the same homestead.
Listen in and learn about:
- Buying the house from her mother-in-law which was originally built by her husband’s grandfather
- Spending time on the property ever since she started dating her husband
- Some history of the land and the land around the house
- Read her story of how she almost gave it up HERE
- The original single page contract for the land
- Getting extras for $43 added to the house
- The ancient lilac bush/tree that she uses to make lilac jelly
- See her recipe HERE
- The small food garden that grandma started
- Her improved garden that she is growing with her grandchildren
- Raspberries in her yard from the same cultivar her father grew
- This house was not supposed to be a permanent home, but now has all these memories
- Getting involved in the county fair through 4H as a kid
- Returning as a participant in the county fair with her herbs and winning first place
- Becoming a superintendent at the county fair and what she does each year
- Naming the Homestead and what the nickname means to her
- Special stories of history in the homestead
- Helping her grand-kids get tied to the land too
As well as:
Her failure – thinking that the homestead was only going to be a temporary home and trying to make the property something it wasn’t – missing opportunities to appreciate what she had
Her success – her children and grandchildren – passing along the importance of taking care of the earth
Her drive – wanting to be an example to her family and friends for gardening and growing
Her advice – gratitude is everything, be grateful no matter wherever you are planted. AND take time with your elder family members and write down the stories.
Greg’s advice – get a recording of your loved ones
Lynn’s Book recommendations:
Walden Or, Life In The Woods by 
Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer by
How to reach Lynn:
Email: groverfamilyhomestead@gmail.com
UrbanFarm.org/groverfamilyhomestead
Note: You can also find these books mentioned above at one of our favorite local independent bookstores and know that you are supporting a small business.
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