Malabar Farm State Park
4050 Bromfield Road
Lucas, Ohio 44843
Park Office (419) 892-2784
Fax (419) 892-3988
Malabar Farm Restaurant
3645 Pleasant Valley Road
Perrysville, Ohio 44864
(419) 938-5205
1-866-644-6727 for camping reservations
Malabar Farm in Pleasant Valley was the dream of the Pulitzer Prize-winning
author, Louis Bromfield. Today, visitors can see the house and farm existing
just as they did in Bromfield's time.
The outbuildings and pastures still house chickens, goats and beef cattle.
The hills are ribboned with strips of corn, wheat, oats and hay while the scenic
trails are adorned with nature's bounty.
Guided Tours
Malabar Farm reflects the agricultural tradition of Ohio while focusing on Louis
Bromfield's life and philosophies. The 32-room Big House, designed by Bromfield
and architect Louis Lamoreux, is a blend of Western Reserve architectural styles
and was built to appear as if it had been added onto over the years. Tours of
the mansion, preserved just as Louis left it in 1956, are offered year-round.
Wagon tours of the farm are offered May through October. During the growing
season, Malabar Farm offers educational tours of its vegetable garden.
There is a nominal fee for house and wagon tours. Contact the park for hours
and fees.
Camping
A fifteen-site horseman's camp offers primitive camping for horse-people as well
as family campers. Fire rings, picnic tables, drinking water and latrines are
offered.
Trails
There are twelve miles of trail for the hiker or horseperson to enjoy. Trails
traverse scenic fields and forests.
Pugh Cabin
The Pugh Cabin is a day-use facility for groups up to fifty people. This
building can be rented for meetings and group functions from 8:00 a.m. - 11:00
p.m. Reservations are required.
Picnicking
A picnic area with tables, grills, drinking water and latrines is available.
Fishing
Good catches of bluegill and catfish can be caught from the farm ponds at
Malabar. A wheelchair-accessible dock is provided at the Big House Pond. A valid
Ohio fishing license is required.
Winter Recreation
Sledding, ice skating and cross-country skiing are permitted during
appropriate weather. Cross country ski rental available at the Big House Gift
Shop.
Nature of the Area
The natural features of Malabar Farm are representative of the diversity of the
glaciated Appalachian Plateau region of Ohio. This area is renowned for its
interspersion of woodlands, lakes, streams and bogs along with villages, fertile
valleys, dairy and grain farms. Located in the Pleasant Valley of Richland
County, Malabar's forests and fields offer visitors a glimpse of both the
cultural and natural history of the area. The rolling countryside and fertile
farmlands of Malabar recreate the pleasure of life on the farm while the wooded
ridgetops support an abundance of natural wonders.
Glaciers pushed up and over the hills of the area depositing rich soils in
the valleys. The woodlands are diverse with beautiful stands of beech and maple
along with remnant stands of eastern hemlock in the ravines. Sandstone
outcroppings adorn the slopes covered with ferns and mosses. Trillium, spring
beauties and wild blue phlox carpet the forest floor. The woodlands are home to
the wood thrush, barred owl, fox squirrel and raccoon while the fields support
populations of bluebird, red-winged blackbird, cottontail rabbit and red fox.
 History of the
Area
In the rolling countryside of Richland County, Louis Bromfield, Pulitzer
Prize-winning author and dedicated conservationist, created his dream -- Malabar
Farm. Inspired by his love of the land, Bromfield restored the rich fertility of
the farmlands and preserved the beauty of the woodlands. He built a 32-room
country home, where his family, friends and neighbors could share the pleasure
of life on the farm.
In his book, Pleasant Valley, Bromfield wrote, "Every inch of it (the house)
has been in hard use since it was built and will, I hope go on being used in the
same fashion so long as it stands. Perhaps one day it will belong to the state
together with the hills, valleys and woods of Malabar Farm." Bromfield's
prophecy came true in August 1972, when the state of Ohio accepted the deed to
Malabar Farm. The state pledged to preserve the beauty and ecological value of
the farm.
Earlier that year, Bromfield's legacy to future generations came close to
being extinguished. Malabar Farm, owned and operated by the Louis Bromfield
Malabar Farm Foundation for 14 years, was threatened with foreclosure. But the
Noble Foundation, which held the mortgage, agreed to erase the mortgage and
accrued interest -- about $280,000 -- when the state of Ohio accepted Malabar
Farm as a gift to the people of Ohio.
From 1972 to 1976, Malabar Farm was operated jointly by Ohio's Department of
Natural Resources and Department of Agriculture. Then in 1976, Malabar became
one of Ohio's state parks. As a park, Malabar Farm is dedicated to perpetuating
Bromfield's farming philosophies, preserving the Big House and its many
artifacts, and providing a place where visitors can explore life on a farm and
the beauty of nature.
|
