Ardenwood Historic Farm

Wheat Harvest - 2011

About The Park

George Washington Patterson came west in 1849 to seek his fortune in the goldfields of California. Instead he "struck gold" in the fertile farm fields of southern Alameda County.

This farm was originally owned by the George & Clara Patterson family from the 1850s. It was turned over to the City of Fremont in 1978, and the East Bay Regional Park District has operated the property as a fully functioning, turn-of-the-last-century farm since 1985. A visit here is a journey back to the time of the 1850s Patterson Ranch--a prosperous, 19th-century country estate with a beautiful Victorian mansion and elaborate Victorian Gardens.

The farm still grows the same kind of produce that was grown in the region in the last 100 years, utilizing agricultural practices from the 1870s to the present, demonstrating the transition from horse-powered to horsepower farming. The interpretive staff and volunteers, attired in Victorian clothing, guide guests through the Victorian house, demonstrate farm chores, and explain what life was like in the early 1900s. From December to mid-February monarch butterflies overwinter here.

Since Ardenwood is a working farm, the daily activities change from season to season so no two visits will be exactly alike. Visit our Naturalist Program page for more information and schedules before your next visit.
Ardenwood Historic Farm is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, year round, including Labor Day and Memorial Day. Ardenwood is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. For picnic reservations call 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2. There is no parking fee. Dogs are not allowed in the Ardenwood Historic Farm.

Restoration and operation of the Patterson House Museum is a project of the city of Fremont. Costumed docents conduct house tours (April-mid-November). For information call (510) 791-4196 or visit the City of Fremont's Ardenwood web page.

Fresh picked organic vegetables are sold just inside the main gate. The stand is open daily from late May through October. For information, visit J. E. Perry Farms website.

• See and download all of the Ardenwood Interpretive Panels

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Entry Fee

Nov. 21, 2010 to March 31, 2011 Winter entry fees:
Tuesday-Sunday--$2 adults, $1 children (4-17 years)

April 1, 2011 to November 20, 2011 Summer entry fees:
Tues., Wed. & Sat.--$2/adults (18+ years), $2/seniors (62+ year), $1/children (4-17 years)
Thurs., Fri. and Sun.--$5/adults (18+ years), $4/seniors (62+ year), $4/children (4-17 years)

Special Event Entry Fee

$8/adults* (18+ years), $6/seniors* (62+ year), $5/children* (4-17 years)
*Special event entry fees may vary. Please call (510) 544-2797 for updated information.

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Park Features

Some of the park features include the followings:

• Arden Station and Deer Park Station: Board the horse-drawn train here. The ride takes kids more than 100 years back in time on a ride into the park with docents dressed in period costumes. For information, visit the Society for the Preservation of Carter Railroad Resources (SPCRR) website.
• Victorian Garden: The garden area looks much like it did near the turn of the 20th century.
• Patterson House: Home to three generations of the Patterson family. It began as George Patterson's bachelor farmhouse built in 1857. The house was expanded with a Queen Anne addition in 1889 as the family, the farm, and their place in East Bay society grew.
• Animal Farms: At Ardenwood, you will see sheep, pigs, turkeys, chickens, rabbits, goats, and cows.
• Blacksmith Shop and Equipment Shed: The blacksmith fires up the forge. Look for vintage equipment, farm animals, and farmcraft demonstrations in the shed. For information, visit Ardenwood Forge website.

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Park Activities

Naturalist Programs

Through Ardenwood's educational programs, visitors can see and participate in many activities common to a turn-of-last-century farm. Weekdays, naturalists provide programs for school classes and other groups by reservation. Call (510) 544-2797 for information. To download school and group reservation form for Naturalist programs, click here.

Non-reservation weekend programs include the planting, tending and harvesting of Ardenwood's organic crops, farm chore demonstrations, and hands-on experiences for the whole family.

Special Events

Special events include an old-fashioned Independence Day celebration, Harvest Festival in October, special music concerts, recreations of Victorian social events, and Ardenwood's Victorian Christmas in December and more. To see a list of upcoming special events, visit EBparks Online to browse programs or register online, or visit Special Events page.

Ardenwood Farm Docents

Share your enthusiasm for history! We're looking for people who want to learn to cook on a wood stove, demonstrate antique farm machinery, and teach historic crafts such as spinning, weaving, and toy making. No experience is necessary, just a willingness to help our staff create a welcoming atmosphere for schoolchildren and families. Our five-session training course begins in March. Call (510) 544-2797 or email cgarcia@ebparks.org for an application and details.

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Note: Dogs are not permitted in the park. Modern recreational equipment (i.e. frisbees, footballs, soccer balls), bicycles, balloons, and BBQs are prohibited.

Activity Schedule: April 1, 2011 to November 13, 2011

*Ardenwood Historic Farm is open on
Monday, Memorial Day (May 30th) and Labor Day (Sept. 5th).
.

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Park Accessibility

The majority of facilities in Ardenwood are wheelchair accessible: Patterson House, Hay Barn, Blacksmith Shop, Train Ride, Granary, Café, restrooms, Produce Stand, and wedding and reception sites. Most of the roads are paved and there is no significant grade changes. Click here for public transit information.

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To Reach The Park

From I-880 in Fremont, take the Decoto Road/Dumbarton Bridge/Highway 84 exit. Go west on Highway 84 toward the Dumbarton Bridge. Take the Ardenwood/Neward Blvd. exit and turn right (north) onto Ardenwood Blve. The park entrance is ahead, on the right.

Public transportation: Take AC Transit buses #232 or #264 on weekdays and
#332 on weekends from Union City BART to the bus stop on Newark Boulevard
under the freeway. To return, the bus stop is on Newark Boulevard just
south of the freeway in front of the shopping center.

Click here for more public transit information or call 511 (TDD/TTY: 1-800-448-9790) to confirm transit information.

Transit & Trails: Ardenwood Historic Farm (transit, biking, and walking directions)

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Trail Map

Click the map image below to see an enlarged version.

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'Full Expand' icon >

When the 'Actual Size' map is viewable, you can 'Click-Hold and Drag' the mouse button (left on a PC) to reposition the map, as desired.

'Single-Click' on the 'Enlarged' or 'Actual Size' map to return to the park page.

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Park Info

Address

34600 Ardenwood Blvd.
Fremont, CA 94555

Download Brochure

Phone Number

(510) 544-2797

Toll Free: 888-EBPARKS (888-327-2757), option 3, extension 4504

Local Weather

Weather Forecast

Photo Gallery

Panorama

Maps

View Trail Map

Download PDF Map

Google Map

Transit & Trails

Park Hours

Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day

Open Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day

Park Events

- Upcoming Events

- Special Events Flyer

Parking Fee

None

Entry Fee

See entry fee

Dog Fee

No dogs allowed

Grazing Information

Grazing in the Parks

Group Picnic Reservations

1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2

Naturalist Programs

510-544-2797

Browse programs online

Go to program guide

Download Interpretation brochures

For Educators

Plan a field trip to this park
Related Articles (PDF):

- Crossword Puzzles
- Farm Life
- Laundry; 19th Century
- Scavenger Hunts
- Seeds of Change

Emergency Number

911

EBRPD Headquarters

1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757

Park Update

October Bird List is Here

 

In October, 53 species of birds were observed at Ardenwood. The white-crowned and golden-crowned sparrows arrived. More flickers, including a yellow-shafted, were seen around the farm. We’re still seeing large, mixed flocks of blackbirds. These groups always include a number of tri-colored blackbirds. If you’re Interested in birds become a citizen scientist and join the bird census effort. Birders of all abilities are welcome to participate. Stop by Ardenwood and pick up a checklist, stroll the grounds and record your sightings. Drop your completed checklist off at the Visitor Center and your data will be added to the monthly collection. You can also download the checklist by clicking HERE. Click HERE to see the Ardenwood October bird list.

 

New Trail Guide

From the area’s first inhabitants to the Patterson family, you can explore the farm’s history, gardens and grounds with Ardenwood’s new tour booklet. You can discover the park’s history and meet the farm animals on this enjoy easy ½ mile stroll. You can pick up your free tour booklet at the Train Station or download a copy HERE (PDF)

For information concerning all of Ardenwood’s naturalist programs click here or please call:
(510) 544-2797
or Email: awvisit@ebparks.org