A Guide to Visiting the Historic Malabar Farm in Ohio

Located in the rolling hills of central Ohio, Malabar Farm is a historic site that should be on any day trip list. It is a working farm, providing eggs, meat, and produce to the surrounding town of Lucas, Ohio. There are ponds, peaceful woods, and lush fields surrounding the farm. It is truly a must-see.

Upon turning into the park entrance, you will come upon a visitor's center, located on the left. This is the Louis Bromfield Visitor Education Center, the newest addition to the park. It is a completely "green" building, with ecologically-friendly waste receptacles and restrooms. To the right, as you enter the building, is the educational area, with displays featuring the history of the farm as well as displays detailing farm life and information about the wildlife located in the park. On the other side of the building is the gift shop, selling eggs, meat from the farm, as well as unique gifts. I was impressed with the drop spindle kits for spinning fiber from the Malabar Farm sheep. If you go out the back door of the visitor center, across the lawn is the Songbird Aviary. It is enclosed, with a boardwalk for walking, and is filled with many species of birds native to Ohio. I visited with my son, and he got a lot of enjoyment out of seeing the birds flying all around and chirping.

To the right of the visitor's center, there is a walkway leading to the barn and the "Big House," which is what the historic mansion and inn is called. The barn is open for visitors, with a petting area located on the ground floor of the barn. My son loved seeing the cows, shetland pony, goats, sheep, and rabbits. They were friendly, but I would make sure you use the hand sanitizer provided after visiting the petting farm. Further on along the path, you will come across an area housing chickens and turkeys, as well as some beautiful wildflower gardens. At the end of the path, you come to a driveway and directly across from that, a pond stocked with bass and channel catfish, as well as some bluegill and other native fish. Leaving the pond area and going uphill, you will find yourself facing the Big House, which is the mansion and inn at Malabar Farm. It is open for guided tours, the cost of which is nominal. It is a beautiful home, built by Louis Bromfield to his specifications. This inn also housed actor Clark Gable, among other luminaries who visited the farm during its heyday in the 1930s and 1940s.

If you continue up the road from the Big House and the farm area, you will come across a pioneer cemetery dating back to the 1800s, as well as some smaller structures essential to the daily operations of the farm. Throughout the farm, there are trails and picnic areas available for public access. A note: some of these areas are in remote locations, so if you are looking for interesting things to see, you might want to stay near the farm itself.

Going back out the park entrance that you entered through, turn right and go about 2 miles down the road. On the left, you will see a large building. This is the Malabar Farm Restaurant, beside it the produce stand operated by a spring. The restaurant serves food that is local to the farm as well as the surrounding area. It was a very reasonable price for the meal, and the scenery is beautiful.

A visit to Malabar Farm, though it may seem to be in a remote area, is well worth the trip. I felt enriched by having visited the farm; I have seen signs for it on the interstate all my life and have never paid a visit till now.