Patterson Farm Master Plan Improvements Begin

LOWER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA — You may notice some changes at Patterson Farm lately.

Some of the buildings on the 234-acre property with a 300-year history may look a little different.

A fresh coat of paint on the barn will do that.

Painting and minor repairs are underway as work progresses at Patterson Farm, which township officials said is to help protect and enhance the buildings as part of the Stage 1 Master Plan Implementation for the farm.

The Lower Makefield Township Board of Supervisors approved the master plan in late November 2023.

Architectural firm Seiler + Drury — charged with creating a long-term master plan —presented preliminary plan recommendations on the long-term vision of the farm.

The consultants hired by the township unveiled plans for the Mirror Lake Road property's 15 buildings, offering two-to-three options each on how they can be refurbished and reused as public venues while still maintaining its agricultural spirit on land that has been farmed for more than 300 years without interruption.

Officials have previously stated that Stage 1 costs to begin the preservation over three years would range between $500,000 and $800,000.

Lower Makefield Township has owned Patterson Farm since 1998. But it has sat in a "state of disrepair" for 25 years.

The property and buildings, purchased by the township for $7 million, are mostly unavailable to the public due to active farming operations and the unsafe condition of most buildings. One building is used by a local artist and another by a local non-profit art organization.

(Lower Makefield Township)