Mission & Vision of Maplelawn Farmstead
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Board Members
- Chris Garvey – President
- Bonnie Carter
- Martha Kaehler – Treasurer
- Shelley Lakshmanan
- Mary Robbins-Nierste
- Jan Stacy – Secretary
- Ralph Stacy
- Marsha Ward
- Art Small
Mission & Vision
At Maplelawn Farmstead, our mission is to create experiences that connect people to the rich, rural heritage of the 1930’s Great Depression era on an Indiana family farm. Our first priority has been preservation, and we’ve worked diligently to restore Maplelawn’s farmhouse and outbuildings–including our barns and livestock enclosures—to this interpretive period. Since our incorporation in 2005, we have worked in partnership with a variety of local and regional professionals to begin the process of stabilization, beautification, and adaptive reuse of many of the farm’s barns and buildings in addition to creating numerous educational programs and special events.
Since the earliest days of this organization, we’ve recognized that, in addition to preservation, our purpose is to educate and inspire by developing opportunities for people of all ages to participate in a wide variety of activities at Maplelawn.
Maplelawn Farmstead, Inc. creates experiences which connect people to the rich rural history of the 1930’s Great depression era on an Indiana family farm. We strive to preserve, educate, and inspire through educational programming and special events. End result : Restored and preserved historic farmstead complex; creation of a beautiful park space and asset for the community; establishment of an educational vehicle “to keep alive” the determined spirit of the era, the state and the country. Maplelawn Farmstead has a well-documented history that dates back to the early 1800’s. The original farmstead was established by John and Jane Wolf in 1835. In 1900, the Wolf heirs sold the farm to Alfred Elroy and Elmira Moore Scott.
The farmstead remained in the Scott family until the death of Lester Bradley -the surviving spouse of a Scott heir, Alyce Scott Bradley in 2000. In 2003, the land on which the farmstead stands was sold to the town of Zionsville to be developed into a community park. With its rich history and farmhouse, along with an impressive array of intact barns and outbuildings, Maplelawn Farmstead drew the interest of the Zionsville Historical Society who, in 2003, formed a subcommittee of concerned individuals to explore the possibility of preserving the farmstead for educational purposes. In 2004, this committee presented its findings to the Zionsville Parks Board, and was given approval to proceed with forming Maplelawn Farmstead, Inc.- a not-for-profit organization dedicated to developing and operating a historically recognized museum and related educational programming.
In 2011, Maplelawn Farmstead was listed as a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. Maplelawn Farmstead became the eighth site in Boone County and the second in Zionsville to receive State and National Register of Historic Places designations. The Organization- Maplelawn Farmstead, Inc. was incorporated in January of 2005; in April of 2006, the organization was granted non-profit 501(c)3 status by the Internal Revenue Service.
The Farmstead is a tenant (multi-year lease) with the Zionsville Parks Department. The all-volunteer board plans special events, educational and fund raising activities, performs all buildings and grounds maintenance, archives all records and has established a long-range landscaping and beautification plan. Hundreds of additional volunteers have assisted in the projects, including local Girl and Boy Scout troops, FFA National Days of Service attendees, 4-H Clubs, area school groups, local businesses and other local service clubs.