Civil War theme at grand opening

Sassafras, the donkey, enjoys giving piggyback rides at Shamrock Farms on Millville Road in Mayfield Twp. The pair was spotted Saturday during the grand opening of the Shamrock Farms Bed and Breakfast at the thoroughbred racehorse farm. MAYFIELD TWP — Shamrock Farms celebrated the grand opening of its bed and breakfast facility Saturday. A ribbon-cutting ceremony preceded tours of the renovated historic structure. Manager Maurine Scott, dressed in Civil War era attire, cut the green ribbon spanning the entrance to the vast front porch.

Visitors lined up to get a peek at the bed and breakfast, which was decorated for Christmas.

Outside, Civil War re-enactors braved the chilly, windy weather. William Badgley of Mayville took authentic tintype photos. He brought his Civil War era Scovill-Adams camera, along with the wagon carrying his photographic equipment. Badgley explained that photos taken on the battlefields were developed in exactly the same manner, with a horse-drawn carriage on site.

Sassafras and his goat buddy pleased the crowd at Shamrock Farms. Other re-enactors were dressed in Union and Confederate uniforms. They talked to visitors about life in a Civil War encampment.

The ladies were dressed in billowing long skirts and shawls. They were tending the fires near the Civil War tents set up with kitchen supplies.

In the renovated original barn, which dates to 1850, hearty, warming food was in ample supply. Brower’s Farm dished up roast pig. Over 200 bowls of soup made with navy bean and ham were served. Every apple pie from Past Tense left with a customer.

Animals at the farm delighted everyone. A pygmy goat rode atop Sassafras the donkey out in the paddock.

“They do that all the time,” says Scott of the piggyback rides.

Horses are part of the landscape at Shamrock Farms. They were curious about all the visitors Saturday. Daisy, the pot-bellied pig reveled in all the attention. The majestic horses studied the visitors, and reached out for a pet on the nose.

The Victorian farmhouse was built in the early 1900s on what was once the Arms farm. The farmhouse replaced the original sod-roofed home that marked the homestead, dating to the 1800s, after it was destroyed by fire.

The newly-opened bed and breakfast is part of a 195-acre thoroughbred racehorse farm. It will host overnight stays as well as events.

Shamrock Farms is at 2388 Millville Rd. in Mayfield Twp. Details: 810-667- 4333.
Wlliam Badgley of Mayville brought his authentic Scovill-Adams Civil War-era camera to Shamrock Farms, along with his photographic wagon and equipment.
A Civil War encampment on the lawn in front of Shamrock Farms Bed and Breakfast highlighted the history of the farm and house.
William Badgley developed the tintype glass plate onsite, just the way it would have been done during the Civil War. The picture shows Josh Sauve of Hadley in front of the historic bed and breakfast.