Forest Farm

The former Scott and Helen Nearing property “Forest Farm” at 372 Harborside Road, Brooksville, Hancock County, Maine is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A social history and Criterion B for association with both Nearings. They built a similar house and developed their homesteading lifestyle in Vermont, but it was in Maine where they published the books about homesteading that they are known for and received many followers hoping to imitate their homesteading model and all or some portion of their associated philosophy of life. Many of those visitors helped with construction of the house and outbuildings or worked in the organic garden. Their status as back-to-the-land models and mentors in the 1970s is focused on the nominated property. This last Forest Farm also represents their philosophy and signature house type and lifestyle as represented in their book Living the Good Life. While here they continued to write influential books that capitalized on and continued to spread their vegetarian, homesteading, pacificist, economic, and other philosophies. The period of significance is from 1971 to 1995 which covers the beginning of the design and construction of Forest Farm and ends with Helen Nearing’s death. Criterion consideration G applies as the period of significance ends 30 years ago. Both individuals are exceptionally significant for their contributions to the back-to-the-land movement and in associated aspects of social history. Their influence at the national level up to Helen’s death in 1995 is exceptional and is reflected in the continued involvement in the homesteading movement through publishing, teaching, and mentoring. Two earlier Nearing houses, in Vermont and Maine, may be eligible for National Register listing on their own because they represent unique periods in the Nearings’ life and were long-term homes. Their stone farmstead at 372 Harborside Maine, has been heavily photographed and publicized in connection with the Nearings and continues to be associated with the image of their ‘good life’ home and lifestyle as the Good Life Center.