Oldest - Agricultural Fair in America
Posted by: 
NorStar
N 42° 37.842 W 070° 56.685
19T E 340538 N 4721639
The Topsfield Fair, America's oldest agricultural fair, was first established in 1818 as a means to exchange agricultrural ideas and had its first demonstrations and competitions in 1820.
Waymark Code: WM4Y9N
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 10/13/2008
Views: 8
The Topsfield Fair is a popular agricultural fair in Topsfield, a town in Essex County north of Boston. According to the fair's web site, the fair is run by the Essex Agricultural Society, established in 1818 "to promote and improve the agricultural interests of farmers and others in Essex County."
There are several signs at each fairground entrance that boast the fair as "America's Oldest." However, more details are found in the Grange Building, which holds a collection of farm equipment. Within the building there is a laminated sign by one exhibit that states:
"Since 1818, many 'Champions of Agriculture' have been chosen. The Fair was held at various towns an cities until it briefly settled in Peabody, MA in 1895. In 1910, the Fair moved to Topsfield and became known as the Topsfield Fair where it has since remained."
The web site has a more detailed account. In 1818, the Essex Agricultural Society was formed, with the help of Honorable Timothy Pickering, a graduate of Harvard who helped found the Agricultural Society of Philadelphia earlier. The Essex Agricultural Society was an off-shoot of the Massachusetts Society for the Promotion of Agriculture, established in 1792.
The first pamphlet by the society to share information on agriculture was printed and distributed in May 1818. The first agricultural fair was held on October 5, 1820 in Topsfield. According to the web site, "At that first show there were committee reports on working oxen, neat cattle, dairy, fat oxen and swine, Indian corn, potatoes and manure. The first premium was awarded to President Pickering for 'superior performance of his plough.'"
The fair was held annually since.
The signs are visible along Route 1, not far from the intersection with Route 97. The other sign is within the Grange Farm and Fair Museum and may be only available during the Topsfield Fair, held annually in early October.
FIRST - Classification Variable: Item or Event
Date of FIRST: 02/26/1818
More Information - Web URL: [Web Link]
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