King Farm Farmstead: Preservation and Potential

A plan for a revitalized King Farm Farmstead approved by Rockville’s Mayor and Council on Dec. 8 envisions the historic property as a hub for community life.

The King Farm Farmstead Master Plan represents a forward-looking vision that blends history and heritage with adaptive reuse and community benefit.

“We unanimously approved the King Farm Farmstead Master Plan following an extensive community engagement process — because investing in expanded youth recreation, senior services, child care and a welcoming community gathering space ensures our historic farmstead will help foster a vibrant, inclusive hub for all,” the Mayor and Council said in a joint statement. “We will also continue to nurture and maintain the community garden while telling the story of the land’s past and cultivating a healthier, interconnected future for Rockville.”

The plan calls for improved accessibility and new and enhanced connections between the historic landmark in King Farm Farmstead Park and the surrounding neighborhood. It envisions multipurpose halls for performances, markets and larger gatherings; flexible rooms for arts, technology and wellness; and specialized spaces for a teaching kitchen, makerspaces and child care.

The plan also aims to preserve the site’s history. Additions and modifications will be carefully designed to respect the original character of the buildings while providing the infrastructure necessary for modern use. The community garden and its historic corridor will be preserved and integrated into the overall site. The Mayor and Council also directed staff to develop programming and interpretative signage to educate visitors about the farmstead’s history, including its past ownership and contributions to agriculture in the region.

The plan is the product of sustained public dialogue, technical study and careful design. During an Oct. 20 work session, the Mayor and Council directed staff to revise the plan by removing newly proposed parking lots and a proposed addition connecting the farmstead’s two dairy barns, to revise cost estimates and to provide an economic analysis and plan for phasing project implementation.

Find the plan and video of the Mayor and Council vote with the Dec. 8 meeting listing at rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter.

Visit engagerockville.com/kingfarm for more information.

On December 8th, the Mayor and Council are scheduled to receive an update from staff following the last work session and to adopt the master plan. To review the proposed plan, click on the King Farm Farmstead Master Plan in the document section of this page. Please also review the Appendix document for important details.

On September 29th, the Mayor and Council reviewed and provided feedback for the draft master plan for King Farm Farmstead which included a cost recovery analysis and construction cost estimates. You may watch the work session by visiting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLm5vcRtCmhtOBYhPslo6_GHntuB4BaNHu&v=hOBgp7vNNHI

On Monday, October 20th, the Mayor and Council are scheduled to receive an update from staff following the last work session and to adopt the master plan. To review the proposed plan, click on the King Farm Farmstead Master Plan in the document section of this page.

More than 170 people have attended the Community Visioning Open Houses, nearly 250 people have responded to the survey, and 60 people attended the Filtering Sessions to review program and building use concepts based on the community's recommendations. A preliminary work session with the Mayor and Council occurred on July 14. What's next?

On September 29, the Mayor and Council will review the results of the economic analysis and construction cost estimates for building use options presented in July and provide guidance for developing the site’s master plan. To watch the session, log on to https://www.rockvillemd.gov/157/Rockville-11. Be sure to check https://engagerockville.com/kingfarm to stay informed of progress on the King Farm Farmstead project.

The King Farm Farmstead Community Filtering Sessions were held on May 28 at Saddle Ridge Community Center and on May 29 at Glenview Mansion, with a final virtual session on June 3. More than 50 community members attended to learn about the feedback that has been received to date and to vote on building uses/program concepts.

The next step includes providing the community with a final opportunity to review the program and building concepts presented during the filtering sessions and to provide their feedback via a brief survey located here. The survey will be open from June 4 – 13. A presentation of program and building use concepts based on information gathered from community feedback sessions and survey will be shared during a work session with the Mayor and Council on July 14. A final presentation of the preferred program and building use concepts along with economic analysis and projected construction costs will be presented for Mayor and Council review and approval in the Fall.

“We are encouraged by the community’s involvement in this process and look forward to the final presentation.” said Tara Stewart, director of Rockville’s Department of Recreation and Parks.

Please see Resources on the right to view the Filtering Session Boards.

Rockville continues to seek community input on plans for historic King Farm Farmstead Park, scheduling a new round of public engagement sessions aimed at refining potential uses for the property. Upcoming community filtering sessions will allow residents to review and provide feedback on preliminary concepts derived from earlier public input.

The sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, May 28, at Saddle Ridge Community Center at King Farm, 300 Saddle Ridge Circle; Thursday, May 29, at Glenview Mansion, 603 Edmonston Drive; and Tuesday, June 3, a virtual session held online. All sessions will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

These filtering sessions follow a series of community visioning meetings conducted earlier in the spring. Feedback gathered during these sessions, along with survey results and extensive prior studies, will inform recommendations presented to the Rockville Mayor and Council for the property’s master plan.

“The community’s continued involvement is essential,” said Tara Stewart, director of Rockville’s Department of Recreation and Parks. “These sessions are an important step in shaping how this cherished property can best serve our residents.”

To date, three Community Visioning Open Houses have drawn nearly 150 people who learned about the King Farm Farmstead project and provided feedback. The most recent session at Glenview drew more than 30 people who provided feedback on what they would like to see at the Farmstead. Several city staff members were available to discuss the process, answer questions and ensure that all voices were heard.

“We continue to be encouraged by the level of participation in this process from the community” noted Recreation and Parks Director Tara Stewart. “In addition to the Community Visioning Open Houses, 216 surveys from the public have been submitted to date.” The next Community Visioning Open House is on Tuesday, April 8 at the Twinbrook Community Recreation Center.

The first two Community Visioning Open Houses have drawn nearly 100 people who learned about the project and provided valuable feedback. The first session at Lincoln Park Community Center included members of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board. The second session was held in the King Farm community at the Saddle Ridge Community Center and drew more than 50 individuals. Participants were encouraged to engage in the process using techniques like card storming (using sticky notes to generate ideas) and appreciative inquiry (positive-focused discussions) to encourage creativity and inclusivity. City staff were on site to engage with community members, focus conversations, answer questions and ensure that all voices were heard.

“We are pleased with the level of community engagement so far and are eager to hear from more residents as we continue with this visioning process”, noted Recreation and Parks Director Tara Stewart. In addition to the Community Visioning Open Houses, 173 surveys from the public have been submitted to date. The next Community Visioning Open House is scheduled for March 25 at the Glenview Mansion.

The City of Rockville has announced an extensive community engagement process to shape the future of the historic King Farm Farmstead. The initiative, part of a larger master planning effort, aims to determine the adaptive reuse of the property’s buildings while incorporating feedback from residents, organizations and key stakeholders.

Building on Decades of Community Involvement

The King Farm Farmstead project draws upon more than a decade of input, including task force studies, property assessments and economic analyses. This foundational work will guide discussions as the city collaborates with a consultant to evaluate potential uses for each building on the property.

“Our goal is to create a community-based vision for the adaptive reuse of King Farm Farmstead Park,” said Recreation and Parks Director Tara Stewart. “The final conceptual plan will reflect both the unique history of the site and the evolving needs of the Rockville community.”

Engaging the Community

The city has outlined a multilevel engagement strategy using the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Spectrum as its framework. The engagement will include four levels of participation — inform, consult, involve and collaborate — each designed to foster meaningful dialogue and ensure diverse perspectives are heard.

Inform: The city will provide updates on the park’s history, current conditions and potential future uses through social media, newsletters, print materials and the city’s website.

Consult: Community surveys, interviews, focus groups and public comment opportunities will gather valuable input on adaptive reuse options.

Involve: Open houses, workshops and public engagement platforms will allow residents to engage directly with city staff and the consultant team.

Collaborate: Advanced tools like charrettes, study circles and table talks will facilitate deeper collaboration and idea generation among stakeholders.

Tools for Participation

The city plans to deploy a range of engagement techniques, including public meetings, open houses, community workshops and online surveys. Techniques like card storming (using sticky notes to generate ideas) and appreciative inquiry (positive-focused discussions) will encourage creativity and inclusivity. Community liaisons and focused conversations will also ensure that voices from all corners of Rockville are represented.

A Vision for the Future

The process is designed to culminate in community-based recommendations that will inform the Mayor and Council’s decision on the property’s master plan. The consultant team will provide design concepts, cost estimates and operational impact analyses to aid in decision-making.

“This is an opportunity for the community to play an active role in shaping one of Rockville’s historic treasures,” Stewart said. “We look forward to hearing from residents and working together to reimagine the King Farm Farmstead as a vibrant, functional space for generations to come.”

Residents are encouraged to stay updated on the project and participate in upcoming engagement opportunities.

Nestled along Frederick Road, the King Farm Farmstead stands as a testament to Rockville's rich agricultural heritage. Established in the early 19th century, this historic site has witnessed significant transformations, reflecting the evolution of the region over two centuries.

Early Beginnings

In 1822, Andrew Graff acquired 122 acres along Frederick Road, where his family had lived since 1814. The Graff family cultivated this land for over a century, contributing to the area's agricultural development. A description from 1877 highlights the farm's advantageous location: "The property has a frontage of about a third of a mile on the Frederick Road ... in full view of the Metropolitan Branch of the B&O RR and is located convenient to three railroad stations, the county seat, churches [and] schools."

The King Era

In 1924, W. Lawson King purchased the farm, renaming it "Irvington Farm." Under the King family's stewardship, the farm expanded its operations, becoming the largest dairy farm in Montgomery County with 450 registered Holstein cows. The double dairy barn was central to their operations, and innovations like the hay drying shed were introduced to enhance efficiency and safety. The hay drying shed, a simple pole barn equipped with a gas furnace, was crucial in reducing drying time for fresh hay and preventing hay fires caused by excessive moisture.

Transition and Preservation

As urban development encroached, much of the original farmland was sold and developed. However, the core of the farmstead, comprising eight buildings on seven acres, was preserved. In 2006, the King Farm Farmstead was designated as a historic district, ensuring the protection of its remaining structures.

Recent Developments

In recent years, efforts have been underway to rehabilitate and repurpose the farmstead. The City of Rockville has initiated projects to restore the structural integrity of the buildings, including the installation of modern utilities to support future uses. Community engagement has been a cornerstone of these efforts, with task forces and public discussions exploring viable and sustainable uses for the historic site.

A Living Legacy

Today, the King Farm Farmstead serves as a tangible link to Rockville's agrarian roots. Its preservation offers residents and visitors a glimpse into the region's agricultural past, while ongoing rehabilitation efforts aim to integrate the site into the community's cultural and recreational landscape.

As Rockville continues to grow and evolve, the King Farm Farmstead stands as a reminder of the city's rich history and the enduring value of preserving its heritage.