This 1914 photo shows Alfred and Anna Pearson’s sons, George and Arthur, with draft horses Colonel and Prince.

An aerial view of the Homestead, Wis., property, officially registered in the 1920s as Green Valley Farm.

Although they were closed to the public, board members continue to plan for the new exhibit in 2021 that will feature 10 centennial farms and one home that have been registered with the Wisconsin State Fair.

Each farm or home must show proof of 100 years of continuous family ownership.

The Pearson farm in Homestead will be featured.

The museum provided this information on the farm’s history:

Alfred and Anna Pearson moved from Felch Township in Michigan to The Town of Homestead in Wisconsin in May of 1903. They purchased the farm, which had a log home and blacksmith shop, from Andrew and Helen Peterson.

Alfred was born in Skane, Sweden, and Anna, whose maiden name was Swanson, was born in Smaland, Sweden. They met in Escanaba after immigrating to the United States.

Alfred had been a blacksmith in Felch before moving to Homestead to continue his trade. He was the community’s blacksmith for both farmers and loggers until 1928.

The family farmed and cultivated a large apple orchard. Between 1903 and 1914, they built a frame addition to the existing house, a horse barn, a cattle and hay barn and a summer kitchen with an attached ice house.

In 1910, Alfred created the first running water system in Homestead. He piped water from the hillside spring, joining the pipes with carved wooden couplings. Gravity flow provided water to the barn and house. That system still exists.

Alfred and Anna had 10 children, with three born after moving to Homestead. All of the children worked on the farm and in later years logging was an important source of income as well. Most of the children left the farm for other occupations, but many returned at various times during the Depression.

In 1920s, the farm officially was registered as “Green Valley Farm.”

Alvin Pearson continued to farm after his father’s death in 1928 and purchased additional land from Richard Larson in the 1940s.

He married Aina Sundin in 1933. Farming included dairy cattle, then sheep and beef cattle. Alvin was prominent in the community, serving as town clerk for many years, and was a resource person for all. He was an accomplished sheet metal worker, retiring in 1976.

The farm remains in the family, owned by the daughter of Alvin and Aina.