The Kenyon Farm, located on 20245 Zion Road, was purchased from AVI’s Director of Sustainability John Marsh (‘76) in August 2012 with gifts from the Philander Chase Corporation, AVI, and alumna Diane Elam ’80 for the purpose of creating an educational working farm run by Kenyon students to complement and expand Kenyon and AVI’s farm to table program.
The 10.79 acre property was originally owned by William Hogg as part of a larger 8,000 acre parcel after the forced resettlement of native tribes. Since 1826 when Charles White purchased the property, then 12 acres, the farm has remained largely in tact. A row of large trees along the fence line adorn the western side of the property, while the rear and eastern side are secondary growth forests. The farm includes approximately 2.5 acres of forested land which adjoins Chapel Quarry Road.
The farm house was constructed in 1870, possibly by George Lawrence who owned the property from 1856 to 1876. The property was substantially remodeled in 1989 by Rich and Rita Kipp family including the addition of a passive solar wing to the west side of the house. In 2011, John Marsh added a barn to the property which now holds the 19.1 kilowatt solar array.
Year Property Owner Acreage
2012 Kenyon College 10.79
2004 John Marsh 10.79
1977 Rich and Rita Kipp 10.79
1974 Elizabeth Bell 12
1941 Rusler Bell 12
1939 Morgan Vernon 12
1937 Mabelle Huntsberger 12
1935 Edward Young 12
1935 Julia Dudgeon 12
1926 Nellie Morningstar 12
1892 Abraham Morningstar 12
1889 Emma Young 12
1876 Charles White 12
1856 George Lawrence 26.82
1849 George Pearce 39.2
1828 Theological Seminary 4000
1806 William Hogg 8000
