Carnegie museum to highlight Fry family farm April 5

The Carnegie Historical Museum has announced the Heritage Farm of the month for April 2024 is the farm owned by Greg and Lori Fry.

This farm, located southeast of Fairfield, has been in the family for 154 years, meaning it qualifies as a Heritage Farm. The family first purchased acres of farmland in 1870.

The Fry Family Farm is a Heritage Farm. The story begins with David Fry – Greg’s Great Great Grandfather. The next in line is Mary Jane Watkins - daughter of David Fry.

Next is Seth Fry - Greg’s Great Grandfather. Following is Guy Fry, Greg’s Grandfather. After Guy passed away, all living family became owners of the Fry Farm. They continue as follows. Glenn Fry – Greg’s Uncle, Debbie Fry Maggard - Greg’s Cousin. Jim and JoAnn (Peck Fry) Allerdice -Greg’s mother and step-father. Becky Fry Stagers – Greg’s Sister. Connie Fry Baxter - Greg’s Sister, Diane Fry VanWinkle – Greg’s Sister, Bobbett Fry Buch – Greg’s Sister. Greg and Lori Fry are the current owners.

The Fry Family farm produces crops of corn and beans. Originally, the farm was 40 acres, and today it is 380 acres.

This is the twenty-fourth month that the Carnegie Historical Museum has been highlighting the farms in Jefferson County which have been recognized as being in the same family for 100 or 150 years plus. It is our plan to carry this forward throughout 2024, and recognize those farms which have received this Heritage or Century Farm status at the state level.

The Fairfield First Fridays on April 5, 2024, beginning at 6 p.m. will allow interested patrons of the museum to come and view the new display of the Fry family farm. A video-taping with family members will begin at 6 p.m.

A dedicated display case will be available for viewing on the third floor of the museum for the month of April. The public is welcome to attend and meet the family at that time. Please take time to come and learn about the history of these farms and what they mean to Jefferson County, Iowa.

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