Swanson family focus of Carnegie’s Heritage Farm of the Month

The Carnegie Historical Museum in Fairfield has announced the Heritage Farm of the month for November 2022. The Farm is owned by the Swanson Family Trust – Robert T. Swanson, Richard Swanson, Larry Swanson, Gloria Messer and Randy Olson.

Homesteaded in 1854 in Lockridge Township – The New Sweden area, originally 40 acres, today the Swanson Trust has 215 acres.

1st generation to Iowa ...Olaus Svenson (Oliver Swanson) 13 children

2nd generation .....Victor Swanson (took over farming operations at age 12)

3rd generation .....Charles Swanson

4th generation .....Raymond Swanson

5th generation .....Swanson Family Trust (present owners)

6th generation ….. Randy Olson

This is the sixth 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 Fridays on November 4, 2022, beginning at 6:00 p.m. will allow interested patrons of the Museum to come and view the new display of the of the Messer - Swanson farm. A dedicated display case will be available for viewing on the third floor of the museum for the month of November.

Carol Messer-Swanson will be doing a video-taping at 6 p.m. Friday 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.