preserving an Agricultural Community
A barn restoration takes on mythical proportions with the discovery of 150-year-old artifacts. WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER | PHOTOS PROVIDED
Building on its past, the Old Tavern Farm is growing into a Village.
“It’s about preserving an agricultural community. It tells the story of the people of the past and the importance of buying local, then keeps expanding from there,” said Walt Borisenok.
Since 2016, the 143 acres of Old Tavern Farm have been home to a variety of agricultural pursuits; there are stables and pastures for the raising of Thoroughbred horses; a vineyard supplying the Old Tavern Winery; and fields of Old Tavern Farm Flowers (which are sold at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market and Spa City Farmer’s Market).
The renovation process has been filmed with a time lapse camera and documented online.
It’s what’s happening just down the road however, that’s currently caught the attention of many – Old Tavern Farm Agricultural Village is taking shape. “My grand plan is to run several successful agricultural businesses on-site and grow the Old Tavern name into a lifestyle brand,” said owner Walt Borisenok. PRESERVATION IN PROGRESS The Old Tavern brand is named for the pub that previously existed on this beautiful property overlooking Saratoga Lake. Old Tavern is also a story of environmental preservation and what it means to be a steward of this land and its history. The latest chapter - the restoration of a barn within the Old Tavern Agricultural Village. 34 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | HOME & GARDEN 2022
“It’s been exciting to follow. It’s cool so many people are intrigued by this, appreciate what we’re doing, and see value in it,” said Walt’s daughter, Nicole Borisenok. ELEVATING HISTORY TO NEW HEIGHTS Last fall, the renovation of the 3,400 sq. ft. barn on Cedar Bluff Road uncovered new details of what life was like in this area during the late 1800s. Although mostly well-preserved, the side wall of the barn was terribly tilted. Temporary steel beams and a hydraulic lift were used to raise the entire structure a foot off of its foundation and onto cribs while decayed materials were replaced. The project, which also included removing and strategically organizing the floorboards, was coordinated by Bill Moreau of the Moreau Associates construction company, and builder Jim Sweet. The previously-leaning wall was pulled in before the structured was then lowered and secured. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
