The Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm is an outdoor agricultural museum that functions as an educational and interpretive center in northeast Georgia. The farm is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and it is unique for its collection of over 20 intact historic buildings in their original location. Spend an afternoon exploring the Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm. Enjoy this interactive tour experience that shares some of the rich farming history of Northeast Georgia. Choose your own route or follow our recommended tour route that leads you through the farm core and to nearby farm buildings. Just tap each stop to hear professionally narrated stories with period music and sound effects. Navigate the content through the detailed tour map.
The Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm Tour
Estimated Tour Time: approx. 30 minutes
Tour Route Length: approx. 1 mile
Audio Traks/Images: 16
Welcome to the Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm. Since 1799, this farm has remained agriculturally productive. Over the course of the two centuries, the Shields and Ethridge families adapted to larger trends in upcountry Georgia agriculture, from the first crops of tobacco to the planting of cotton and grains, and then cattle grazing.
The story of the Farm begins when our nation was new at the end of the 18th century and continues today as we celebrate the history and heritage of agriculture in northeast Georgia. Two hundred years of working the land, family growth, and technological progress shape what you see before you. From about 1899 to 1909 Ira Washington Ethridge constructed these buildings, transforming the farm into a bustling center of social and economic activity in Jackson County, Georgia. Today the Farm complex is quiet and open for your exploration but take a moment to stop and imagine wagons rolling by, the smell of freshly plowed soil, and hum of farm activity.
Mission
The mission of the Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm is to provide and operate an educational and interpretive outdoor museum that uses historic preservation and the natural environment to increase an awareness and understanding of Georgia’s agricultural history.
Special Events
On the third Saturday in May the Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm celebrates its agricultural heritage. Visitors can see displays of traditional farm equipment and animals as well as demonstrations of period crafts by local artisans. Live bluegrass music and BBQ complete a day of old-fashioned fun for the entire family. Visit the website for announcements on special events.
Visit the Farm
The Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm is open to the public and guided tours are available by appointment. We welcome groups of all sizes from schools, churches and civic organizations. We are located at 2355 Ethridge Road, Jefferson, Georgia 30549.
Archival Collections
The Shields and Ethridge families seldom threw things away; what could not be used was set aside… just in case… Not only is the Farm remarkable for its well-preserved buildings and their contents, but also for the rich collection of papers that the family created and kept, including letters, ledgers, photographs, tax records, catalogues, scrapbooks, memorabilia and home movies. The Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm website features a digital library of documents and photographs from the 18th and 19th centuries that visitors can read first hand.
Visit Us on the Web
To learn more about the history of the Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm, our ongoing projects and events, and to schedule a tour, visit www.shieldsethridgefarminc.com.
Funding for this project provided, in part, from the Appalachian Regional Commission, www.arc.gov.
