Carnegie Museum to honor Billingsley Family for Century Farm

The Carnegie Historical Museum has announced the Heritage Farm of the month

for December 2022.

The Farm is owned by the Billingsley Family with brothers Jim and Mike being the current generation. This farm has been in the family for 176 years.

Homesteaded in 1846 in Round Prairie Township — originally 120 acres, today has 390 acres.

1st generation to Iowa … Elijah and Prudence Billingsley from Belmont, Ohio

2nd generation .....Sam and Mary Billingsley

3rd generation .....Sam C. and Ira Billingsley

4th generation .....Don and Lois Billingsley

5th generation .....James and Michael Billingsley present owners.

This is the seventh month that the Carnegie Historical Museum has been highlighting the farms in Jefferson County which have been recognized by the Iowa Farm Bureau as being in the same family for 150 years plus. It is our hope to carry this forward into 2023 and recognize all 14 farms, which have received this status at the state level.

The Fairfield First Friday on Dec. 2, 2022, beginning at 6 p.m. will allow interested patrons of the Museum to come and view the new display of the of the Billingsley farm. A dedicated display case will be available for viewing on the third floor of the museum for the month of December. Jim Billingsley and family, will be doing a videotaping at 6 p.m. Friday the 2nd on the second floor of the Carnegie Museum. 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.