Old Tavern Farm’s Agricultural Village

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.

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). 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. “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. The renovation process has been filmed with a time lapse camera and documented online. “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.

UNCOVERING EVIDENCE

In order for the construction work to occur, the barn needed to be cleared out first. By doing so, the story of the building’s previous owners began to emerge. It was discovered that the barn was most likely built by the Caldwell family sometime during the 1800s (members of which rest in their family graveyard across the street). There are floorboards marked 1868 but the timber beams forming its frame are much older (perhaps from the 1700s). They’ve been reshaped and refitted by hand for this structure. One board they found served as a record of sale for one “Thomas Pendergest” who “Purchased 20 Bushels of Rye for 7 cents a bushel.” It was dated, “July 20th 1863” and was inscribed with the words, “Due Now.”

SAVING FOR THE FUTURE

Finding documentation like this gives us a better picture of what life was like. “It just opens up this whole story of what went on here,” said Borisenok. During the renovation, much has also been discovered about the Ensley family, who acquired the property in the 1920s. “They threw nothing out and together, it tells an unbelievable story of how life was and how it transformed over a period of years,” he said.

THE DOWNFALL OF A RAILROAD TYCOON

Industrialist Enoch Ensley was the founder of Ensley Works, the largest producer of steel ingots and rail in the Southern United States for much of the 1800s. Personal letters document the journey of this respected businessman and his family; wife Laura, who died in 1887, and his second wife, May, as well as the Ensley’s four children. They recount the details of finding a job, the advent of electricity, and the food available at the time. They also reveal that before his death, Ensley endured great financial hardship and the remains of his fortune, it was discovered, were much contested. “There is all this court documentation of the proceedings after his death. It was a 50-year running gun battle over the will,” said Borisenok.

ONE GOOD TURN LEADS TO ANOTHER

Although entirely unplanned, in March, Borisenok purchased another barn, built in Halfmoon by the Baker family in 1868 and owned by Samuel Mott, founder of the Mott’s brand (best known for its apple juice and applesauce). “It makes zero financial sense but it is a piece of Saratoga County history that was in great shape, and I just hate seeing when things like that disappear,” he said. The immaculate structure was dissembled piece-bypiece, from the slate roof down to the floor beams, and is currently being stored. Follow the growth of Old Tavern Agricultural Village on Instagram or by visiting oldtavernfarms.com/pages/agricultural-village SS