The Tenant House at Shady Spring Farm

09/02/2022

This is a view most don’t see. Thanks, Bill, for sharing. Early morning light and the dead branch reaching toward it.
Love. Love. Love. 💕

08/22/2022

Sunday afternoon excitement! And 2 hours later, it was gone… 🤯

08/15/2022

One of my fondest and most vivid memories is of a train ride with my family when I was maybe 6 years old. My father bought my sister and I little striped conductor hats, and we got to see the caboose! 💕
Make memories your own family will cherish! Book a stay at The Tenant House and take a ride on the newly re-opened and restored East Broad Top Railroad. An hour north of us, it’s a beautiful and easy drive. Contact us today. The autumn months are booking fast!

We are delighted to announce a brand new event coming this fall to the East Broad Top Railroad. All aboard PEANUTS™ The Great Pumpkin Patch Express!

It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown is a classic American Prime Time Television special from 1966, based on the famous comic strip PEANUTS™ by Charles M. Schulz. You’ll enjoy a train ride to the Sincere Pumpkin Patch, meet Snoopy and Charlie Brown, participate in a variety of fun activities, and every child will take home their very own Perfect Pumpkin. You won't want to miss this incredibly unique family experience!

Tickets will be available on Friday, July 29th at 12pm... reservations are highly recommended. Visit eastbroadtop.com/peanuts for more information!

07/24/2022

Early morning view outside the Tenant House. Farm life is good. 💕

06/02/2022

On April 22nd we celebrated 100 years as a family farm. Purchased first by Pap Pap’s great uncle, Barney Bivens, in 1922 then sold to Pap Pap’s father Cam Mellott in 1933, then to Pap Pap, Harry Mellott, in 1941. Harry and Jean sold the farm to us in 2004 but continued to live in the stone farmhouse, moving only after spending 67 years together in the house. So proud to have the farm accepted into the Pennsylvania Century Farm program!

11/02/2020

Yesterday morning’s light show!

10/21/2020

08/27/2020

Excited about adding some classics for our guests to enjoy!

07/19/2020

Love the creativity and imaginations of our guests! Some write poems, others their adventures, some note the number of visits, or a memory from their youth. Had to share this one, as it brought memories from my childhood. We’d watch “The Walnuts” and my dad would make his own “secret recipe” - a chocolate fudge served over Perry’s vanilla bean ice cream. His secret recipe has seven ingredients, and to this day I know only six!

07/05/2020

You know I love me a good find, and this one is as sweet as they come! I’m sure this will bring back fond memories for someone! 💕

07/05/2020

Found this gem as a temporary replacement for the settee while it gets a well-deserved facelift! And so comfy!

06/28/2020

We’re happy to be welcoming guests again! Allowing several days to a week of “down time” for deep cleaning between reservations. Contact us with questions or to make a reservation. See you soon!

04/06/2020

Brighter skies ahead! Although we’ve had to cancel all reservations through early summer this gift of time allows us to tackle some bigger projects. We are scraping, priming and re-painting the front porch of the Tenant House during the down time. Thanks to all of our guests past and future. We appreciate you & look forward to your return!

11/28/2019

Feeling blessed today and every day. Wishing our friends, family and wonderful guests over the years a blessed and bountiful Thanksgiving. Our best to each and every one of you!

06/30/2019

Love the comments from our 7 and 10 year old guests! And I thought I’d done some time-traveling of my own. I was weeding the garden and was certain I heard a revolutionary war fifer playing a marching tune. Turns out Gus plays and is pretty darned good! Enjoyed having you boys on the farm!

09/07/2018

If autumn is your favorite season then this link is for you! Fall in Fulton County can’t be beat. We’re booking quickly for the fall months & don’t want you to miss your chance. Contact us today to schedule your getaway.

Here in Pennsylvania, the arrival of autumn is marked by vibrant foliage, crops bursting at the seams, and a touch of chill in the air. Adding to the natural beauty of the season are events and festivals that help celebrate this special time of year. Experience farms transformed into playgrounds wit...

07/24/2018

Oh my! So sweet! Just searched for 2018 Fulton Fall Folk Festival info and came across Helen Overly singing a little song she wrote. If you’re looking for a wholesome country weekend away consider a stay at The Tenant House Oct 18-21 and enjoy any number of great activities throughout the county. Follow us for upcoming information.

This song was written and recorded in 2016 to celebrate the Fulton Fall Folk Festival, an antique tractor show held in Fulton County, PA.

07/07/2018

This is the first year we’ve had a nice yield from the blueberry shrubs. Four pints and counting!

05/28/2018

Remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice for this great country. May family and friends of our fallen soldiers find peace and blessings this Memorial Day.

04/24/2018

Repairs and maintenance department at work.

04/24/2018

This lone little bluebird sat quietly watching me from it’s perch in the elm. I was afraid to move too quickly for fear I’d scare it away but then realized I needed to finish up what I was doing & moving in slow-mo wasn’t helping with that. What a brave soul! I left before it did. :)

04/15/2018

It’s hard to believe it will soon be 10 years since we’ve opened the doors of the Tenant House to welcome guests to the farm. The Tenant House journal has seen us through our first decade: its pages are nearly full of the memories, dreams and poetry of those who have visited Shady Spring Farm. As it is time to retire the journal and place a new one in its stead we’ve spent some time enjoying the notes left behind. From small business groups, newlyweds, families, friends and even farmers from Germany all are special to us. Here are a couple we’d like to share:

02/24/2018

Thought I’d share this photo a recent guest snapped with his drone. Just hours later this same scene was snow covered. Thanks Mark, and happy you enjoyed your stay.

02/17/2018

While cleaning this little gem I couldn’t help but wonder the number of meals prepared on it in it’s 100+ years. Made by Moffatt Stove Co, registered in 1911, this little Electra cookstove is a real charmer. So happy we had it restored!

11/04/2017

Tony’s great grandmother Lucy Mellott, known to all as “Granny,” made this rag rug now in a bedroom at The Tenant House. She made dozens of these rugs from worn-out family clothes. One was raffled off at this year’s family reunion & it was so much fun to see cousins picking out little prints and say comments like “that was my favorite summer dress!”

11/04/2017

Beautiful morning! The poor forsythia, however, doesn’t know whether to drop its leaves for autumn or to bloom for spring.

10/23/2017

This weather has Mother Nature so confused. The English walnut tree just outside the Tenant House is sprouting & leafing out in October!

10/14/2017

What to tell the hubby when you've just dropped a full quart of spar urethane on the newly painted porch and only two tablespoons are on me!?!

10/08/2017

Gee-whizakers! I've taken the proverbial one step forward and two steps back. Was so happy to have the time to re-finish the floorcloth under the kitchen table only to find that removing the painter's tape pulled the finish from the floor. Now spot sanding and applying floor finish hoping the patches aren't too noticeable. 🤞

10/01/2017

The most majestic sight! I walked around the side of the Tenant House and caught sight of a mature bald eagle soaring effortlessly above. God is good.

09/03/2017

If you are looking for a fall get-away consider spending a weekend here at The Tenant House & head over to Bedford for the Fall Foliage Festival. Held on the first two weekends in October.

07/23/2017

Hot and humid today. Perfect for taking it easy and rocking on the porch!

06/26/2017

Considering a visit to the farm this summer? Why not stay during the week of the 97th annual Fulton County Fair? It's a down-home friendly fair with a little bit of everything. My favorite event is the Fulton County Youth Livestock Sale. These kids are remarkable. They have committed a huge amount of time and energy to their animals and it shows. They are all superstars in my book! Call or email us for reservations while the Tenant House is still available.

05/20/2017

The juniper has never been so prolific. It is covered with berries from top to bottom. The birds will be very happy!

04/08/2017

Eight calves and counting! So exciting! This is what we refer to as The Nursery... most of the calves are left resting together while a few designated cows watch over them. The rest of the herd wanders some distance away to munch on fresh grass and have an "adults only" day.

03/24/2017

This 1930's Seth Thomas mini banjo wall clock hangs in the living room of the Tenant House. It has a 7-day mechanism & is wound once a week. Such a charm!

02/17/2017

Please someone, check the calendar!

01/30/2017

Love this fly-swatter. Found it at a local flea market - It's like new! Does anyone remember when telephone numbers had just two digits?

01/18/2017

Was so happy to have found a gently used copy of Our Farm on an online bookstore in England. I've been watching for a copy of this for the Tenant House for some time. The watercolors are by Carl Larsson, a Swedish artist, and were painted in the late 1800's. The story is told from his young daughter's perspective and explains the many tasks to be done on the farm at that time. From harvesting huge ice blocks from the lake to harrowing the ground and spreading seed by hand; it is a wonderful glimpse into the past.