National Park Service Partnership
The land and buildings within the Green Springs District are privately owned. Many of the homeowners within the District have donated or sold scenic easements over their property to protect the historic scene. The Department of the Interior holds many of those easements and the National Park Service is responsible for monitoring and enforcing them. A private organization, Historic Green Springs, Inc., also holds easements and is dedicated to the preservation of the District.
The easement restrictions fit with the Commonwealth of Virginia's policy to preserve historical properties and to preserve scenic areas, to conserve open space land and to prevent industrial or commercial activities, with the exception of farming.
The Elisabeth Aiken Nolting Charitable Foundation
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Elisabeth Nolting purchased Bracketts Farm in 1958 after the death of her uncle, Carl H. Nolting. Nolting had purchased the farm in 1903 shortly before he became Louisa's representative in the House of Delegates. Elisabeth wanted the farm to be preserved in perpetuity so she took three important steps to ensure her vision would be carried out.
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Foundation Mission
Foundation Objectives 2. To operate as a working farm, while contributing practical and scientific knowledge about the viability of small scale farming. 3. To benefit and educate the public regarding the historical, architectural, and environmental significance of Bracketts and Green Springs. And, the importance of protecting them against the ravages of overdevelopment, industrialization, and pollution. 4. To sustain and grow the Foundation's endowment. 5. To create an advisory board of "Friends of Bracketts Farm" wherein Individuals may contribute their talents. The Foundation is governed by a board of directors that meets regularly to manage the farm according to Elisabeth Nolting's wishes. |
A Working Farm
The Foundation strives to operate Bracketts as a working 515 acre farm, while contributing practical and scientific knowledge about the viability of small scale farming.
1. The farm keeps a Black Angus beef herd as well as a Tarentaise bred herd of 200+ animals that exemplifies "best practice" in raising grass-fed cattle. Tarantaise bred cattle grow well on grass and are known for their gentle disposition.
2. "Warm season" native grasses are being investigated for the feasibility of returning them to Bracketts as rotational pasture for the beef herd.
3. Potential "cottage industries," a key part of Bracketts success in the early 20th Century, are being investigated. Such cottage industries would be compatible with easements and the history of Bracketts Farm.
4. Wildlife and birding trails, already open to the public in concert with the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries, provide a unique opportunity to observe wildlife in Green Springs.
History
Owners: The farm is said to have been first owned by a William Hudson, who, in 1791, sold 321 acres of land to a family of Quakers named Thomas Brackett. In 1798, it became the property of Major David Watson Sr., of Ionia. Two years later Major Watson deeded Bracketts to his son, David, who remodeled and enlarged the house. David Watson was a brilliant man and a member of the first Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia. He was a lawyer, educated at William & Mary, and known to 
have been a confidant of Thomas Jefferson and other notable figures of the period. He was elected six times to the General Assembly and represented Louisa at the 1829 Constitutional Convention. At his death in 1830, Bracketts passed to his son, Thomas S. Watson and remained the property of his heirs until 1896, when it was bought by H.C. Beattie. In 1903, it was bought by Carl H. Nolting.
Description. "Bracketts" was said to have been originally a log house, but when bought by David Watson, it was enlarged and weather boarded over. A brick in the chimney bears the date of 1806, with the initials "DW".
Historical Significance. David Watson, grandson of the first David, was a Major in the Confederate Army, in which he gave his life. He is buried in the family cemetery, as are three other soldiers, all brothers, who gave their lives for the Confederacy.
Bracketts Relationships. Many historic properties in Green Springs have extensive familial relationships that span many, many years. Bracketts families are closely related to Ionia, Sylvania, and Westend.
Ionia. In 1772, Major James Watson, Jr., purchased 458 acres of land in Green Springs from Achilles Mooreman. Major Watson served in the Revolutionary War in the Louisa Milita. He was the son of James Watson, Sr., and Barbary Watson who came to Louisa County in 1730 and they settled on patented land near Harris Creek, just south of the present Louisa Courthouse. James Jr., was born in 1742. James Jr. and Elizabeth Shelton Watson were married on New Years Day, 1773. Their son David was born later that year at Ionia as was their daughter, Ann.
In 1798, Thomas Brackett sold 321 acres with a dwelling house, to Major James Watson, Sr., who deeded Bracketts to his son David, now 56 years old. In 1801, David married Sally Miinor, daughter of Major Garrett and Mary Overton Terrell Minor of "Sunning Hill". They raised their family at Bracketts. During the War of 1812, David was captain of a cavalry company. David died in 1830 at age 82. Their son, Thomas S. Watson, inherited the house tract.
Sylvania. This home was built by William Morris and named for his grandfather, Sylvanus Morris. In 1746, William had inherited 2500 acres of the original 4553 acres patented in 1729 by Captain Thomas Danzie. Although he lived in Hanover County, his son, William Morris Jr., is said to have built the original portion of Sylvania around 1790. In 1801, William Morris, Jr., married Ann Watson, daughter of Major James and Elizabeth Shelton Watson of nearby Ionia. At his death, in 1831, Sylvania passed to their youngest son, James Morris who enlarged the mansion. James' wife, Caroline Smith Morriss was the grand-daughter of Virginia Governor James Pleasants.
West End. Around 1830, Dr. James Watson and Susan Dabney Morris Watson began building West End while they resided at Bracketts with his mother. Susan was the daughter of William and Anne ("Nancy") Watson Morris of Sylvania. James died in 1837, before West End was finished. His wife continued construction and moved there in 1840 with her son, David and daughter Mary. David never married. When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in the Richmond Howitzers and reached the rank of major before he was killed at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House . Their daughter, Mary Minor Watson, married Henry Taylor of Westmoreland County in 1855.
This information is taken from a 1932 inventory of historic homes in Green Springs as well as Old Home Places of Louisa, by Chisholm & Lille.
This may be a preserved Monocan burial mound, and one of the slaves' quarters
The Watson family cemetery and the kitchen garden
Fishing lake and ice pond
Public Benefit & Access
Bracketts has a 12 acre lake that has been publicly accessible to fishermen since 2000. Fishermen must sign in at the main house in order to enjoy fishing in the lake.
Bracketts has hosted numerous workshops and seminars on agricultural topics over the past 8 years. These topics have included such timely and relevant subjects as "Warm Season Grasses" to "Bio Fuels from Grasses."
Bracketts has a Wildlife & Birding Trail that is part of the State of Virginia's Department of Game and Inland Fisheries system of trails for public use.
On September 8, 2009, volunteers for the Louisa Food Bank completed the harvest of nearly 2,000lbs of winter squash. The squash were grown organically under the guidance of Virginia State University. 600 hills of winter squash were planted in the Spring by Farm Manager George Nolting. George Nolting is also president of the Elisabeth Aiken Nolting Charitable Foundation.
Events at Bracketts
Bracketts Farm donated the organically grown winter squash harvest to the Louisa Food Bank. Volunteers supporting the Louisa Food Bank work to harvest the winter squash.
Earlier this Spring, field demonstrations in organic production of winter squash were established 
at five privately-owned
farms and at Virginia State University's Randolph Farm. Six different types were grown at each location. These squash have a long shelf life and can be stored up to six months before cooking.
Here at Bracketts, 600 hills of winter squash were planted. Volunteers are shown harvesting nearly 1,200 pounds on September 5th. Earlier, "Southern Exposure Seed Exchange" volunteers from the Acorn Commune harvested 800 pounds to exhibit at the Monticello Harvest Festival on September 12th That squash will also be donated to the Louisa Food Bank.
Bracketts is seeking some modest funding to allow the farm to grow seasonal produce year-round, for donation to the Louisa Food Bank.
Elaine Taylor, Programs Director of the Louisa County Historical Society, has formed an "Open Hearth Cooking Guild" at Bracketts. Watch the Guild cooking in the large open hearth in one of the 18th Century Slave Quarters. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6-2XHUrwbo
Bracketts Farm's First Annual Fall "Pasture Party" was held on November 8th.
The turnout was gratifying and over 300 tickets were sold.
There was BBQ and all the fixins... games, door prizes, and plenty of farm fun!
The live band, The Rivanna River Chiggers entertained with their traditional music.
Bracketts is located at 1117 Nolting Road, in the Green Springs Historic District.
Proceeds benefit the Elisabeth A. Nolting Charitable Foundation.
