By Carol McIntire
Editor
October 14, 2008
 Joyce Hannon has a passion for the past and the future.
Her passion has led her to preserve a piece of Carroll County’s past and to secure its place into the future.
Hannon and her husband, the late Richard Hannon, purchased 55 acres of land off of the historic 150-acre farm located on Alamo Rd., Carrollton, in 1972. The home had been restored by Joyce and Lou Adams. Over the years, Hannon’s passion to preserve history on the farm led her to restore other buildings and create a beautiful haven for county residents and tourists alike. She is now securing the farm’s place well into the future by donating it to the Carroll County Park District.
“We’ve known for a long time what we wanted to do with the place,” Joyce said recently while sitting on the porch at Bluebird Farm. “We just had to find the way to do it.”
With the help of her son, Rick, and Attorney Sean Smith of Carrollton, Joyce said the details were worked out and the announcement was made recently.
“I want this place to be used,” she commented. “There are all kinds of possibilities here. I want it to continue as a natural place for both people, wildlife and Bluebirds.”
The “place” she is referring to, is known as Bluebird Farm. Since 1972, it has grown into a restaurant, gift shop, museum and amphitheater and has become a paradise of its own.
Joyce said when she and Dick moved to Carrollton in 1972, realtors were showing her modern homes that really didn’t interest her.
“I loved to antique and wanted an old home,” she commented. “When I saw this place, I knew it was what I wanted. I wanted to live here,” she said with her arm making a sweeping motion around the restaurant and gardens.
The Hannons lived in the home for 15 years before moving into a home on W. Main St. in Carrollton in 1989.
“A friend of mine suggested we make the home into a tea room,” Joyce noted. “That’s really how it all started. From there it just took off and kind of happened,” she said.
In 1991, the patio enclosure and outdoor dining area were added to the restaurant. From there, the growth of Bluebird progressed quickly. In 1994, the pre-Civil War barn known as the Kintner barn was restored and became a three-floor gift shop. The barn was the work of the family that originally owned the farm, the Kintner family and was built prior the house. In 1995, a second Kintner barn was restored and became a private residence. 1996 brought the reconstruction of the covered bridge on an existing stone structure and a walking bridge was added. The year 1997 was another busy one as the English gazebo and arbor were built and construction began on yet another pre-Civil War barn that was to become known as Susie’s Museum of Childhood.
Joyce explained the origin of the museum. “My daughter, Susie, has a big toy collection in her home, but no one ever had the opportunity to see or enjoy it,” she said. “One day I suggested to her that we should make a museum at Bluebird. That’s where the idea originated.”
Joyce spoke with Jim Farley of Salem, the contractor Joyce entrusted the restoration of the previous two barns with, and was told he knew of an old barn that was in storage that could be rebuilt on the Bluebird property. “It was perfect,” Joyce commented. “We made the lower level the toy museum, the upstairs a party (meeting room) known as the Attic Party Room and created Joyce’s Garden Party Room which provides a picturesque view of the facility. The museum opened in 1999 and Joyce’s Garden Party Room in 2003.
Joyce’s love of the outdoors and creating beautiful gardens has led to some of most expansive and colorful displays of natures for miles around. In the early years, Joyce was often seen with her gloves on, tools in hand, working in the gardens. Today she has a person hired to maintain them.
In spite of all the changes that occurred over the years at Bluebird, there was still one major project Joyce had in mind - an amphitheater.
Dick and John (Baker, who worked for Dick’s company) always said as they drove in the driveway at Bluebird it was the perfect place for an amphitheater,” Joyce said. “In 2006, we started construction on the amphitheater.” The process included the construction of the amphitheater itself, exit roads, stairs and landscaping. In May 2007, the facility opened.
“We work in conjunction with the Arts Center to bring concerts to the area. We hope to continue to build upon what is here and to attract more and more people here to enjoy the facility.”
It is the Hannon family’s desire to have people enjoy the place for years to come that led to the decision to gift it to the Park Board.
“Wayne (Chunat, president of the Park Board) put this together and is making it possible,” said Hannon. “We are glad we can do this so the facility can be enjoyed and further developed in years to come.”
Hannon said it is her hope the Arts Center will continue to sponsor classes there for children so they too, can learn to appreciate nature and the outdoors. “Our children can enjoy the museum, creek and nature trails,” she said. “Our new exit provides them walking access from Carrollton Schools.”
Joyce said she named the facility “Bluebird” because it is the official Carroll County bird and because of the possibilities the name holds. “There is much here and so much that can be done. By working with the Park Board as a team, I want to see those possibilities become realities,” she concluded. |
