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Welcome to the Stein Family Farm!
1808 F Avenue National City, CA 91950 (619) 477-4113 (Cross street is 18th, across the street from John A. Otis School) Please call (619 477-4113) and let us know if you are planning a group visit on Saturday. It will help us plan to have enough people to show you around!
ORIGINS OF THE FARMThe Stein Family Farm, now also known as the National City Living History Farm Preserve, in National City, California, was the home of Charles Stein (1861-1954), his wife Bertha Pallas Stein, and their 5 children. Charles and Bertha had been born in Germany, and their families immigrated to California during the 1880s. They met in National City, married in 1891, and moved to Charles' farm close to the Mexican border. Charles, a very successful farmer, was angered when his property was flooded by construction of the Otay Dam. Offered what he thought was a paltry amount for the loss of his property, he took the builders of the dam to court and sued for a better settlement. Charles Stein won his suit. With $1,000 of this money the Steins purchased property in National City in 1900. And, it is the Stein's house, barn, and buildings, along with over 2 acres of property, that now consists of the Stein Family Farm Museum.
BECOMING A MUSEUMIn 1992 descendants of Charles and Bertha were approached by a purchaser who wanted to tear down the structures on the Farm and build apartments there. Public awareness of this resulted in a campaign to “Save the Farm.” The purchaser generously sold it back to the City of National City at the price he had paid for it; to the eternal credit of National City's government, the farmstead was purchased with the intent to turn it into a living history museum. The Stein Family Farm is the last cohesive remnant of an original farmstead in the city of National City.
TODAYCurrent efforts on the property are designed with the view of continuing to interpret the Stein family’s life (1880s – 1950s), but focusing on rural 1900. The Stein Farm is open on Saturdays to the public, at no charge. Numerous group tours, at minimal rates, are given throughout the year. Two events, Farm Days in March, and May & Arbor Day at the end of April, draw well over a thousand school children annually for field trips. Our newest events are Earth(worm) Day (the Saturday following May & Arbor Day), and Grandparent's Day, which is held in September. Farm Day, May & Arbor Day, 3 Digging Our Past (archaeology) summer events, and Grandparents Day are also presented for public enjoyment. Please see our schedule of upcoming events for details. Those who tour the premises leave with a clear view into the rural past that National City was founded upon. The extraordinary collection of Stein family owned furniture, vehicles and equipment, coupled with their exhibition and storage in their original surroundings, is truly a precious resource. Additionally, and very importantly, the Stein Farm connects to the general public as a rare example of a middle class farm family’s lifestyle. And, over a century after it was established, the Farm continues to charm an increasing number of visitors
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of thesteinfamilyfarm.org. Unless otherwise stated.
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