Hill Farm Historical Society

06/22/2026

Hill Farm Historical Society welcomes you to Hill Farm on Sunday, July 12, from 3 to 5 p.m. to enjoy ice cream treats and play in a fun (no experience needed :)) Co****le Tournament. Additionally, take a tour of three historical buildings on the farm including building space that can only be seen on tour.

A million thanks to Krebsbach Real Estate Services for sponsoring this family-friendly event, open to all North Oaks residents and their guests. We look forward to seeing you!!

Click on the sprinkle cone and sign-up for the Co****le Tournament!

Click here to sign up for the co****le tournament. All ages welcome!

06/21/2026

Happy celebrating Dad Day!

06/12/2026

The Hill Farm Historical Society’s Spring Dinner was held at the North Oaks Golf Club on Friday, May 15. Amidst a beautiful backdrop of blooming flowers and plentiful sunshine, Sara Maud Lydiatt-Vanier talked with North Oaks News editor and HFHS Board Director Andrea Swensson, about her family’s long and integral bond with North Oaks, focusing on the importance of environmental stewardship, responsible land management, and intentional cohabitation with our natural surroundings.

Lydiatt-Vanier is the great-great-granddaughter of James J. Hill, the railroad builder and industrialist whose Hill Farm estate is preserved by the Hill Farm Historical Society, where she has served on the board. Although Lydiatt-Vanier makes her home in Montreal, she often travels back to North Oaks to connect with a place and community that holds special memories for her and her family.

The Hill Farm Historical Society is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to share the important legacy of James J. Hill through continued education and preservation of the nationally historic Hill Farm in North Oaks. Learn more at hillfarmhistoricalsociety.com.

—Gretchen Needham, HFHS Board of Directors

05/18/2026

"Nature is not a place to visit. It is home." — Gary Snyder

Last week at Hill Farm on a warm afternoon.

05/15/2026

🌱 Behind the Scenes of a Plant Sale at Hill Farm 🌱

A fun group of leaders (the North Oaks Garden Club Plant Sale Committee) assembles months in advance with the goal of brightening neighbor's yards. They pick a wide variety of plants, promote the two-day event, and by early May continually watch forecasts, hoping for temps above freezing.
Then, it's go-time. Trucks arrive early, plants are unloaded, counted, sorted, and labeled. In the afternoon, vehicles are loaded up .... everyone fueled by lunch, water and caffeine. Happy customers leave the farm with fabulous flowers, vegetables and herbs 🚗 drive around the big red barn and home to plant.
The days are long, but full of smiles and teamwork.

Photos by Julie Oliver Phtography

05/08/2026

Today is the final day to get tickets for Spring Dinner '26! A fabulous evening you won't want to miss. Purchase tickets online at www.hillfarmhistoricalsociety.com

05/06/2026

Bluebells waving in strong winds on the south side of the Machinery Shop. Spring is arriving at Hill Farm.

05/04/2026

Plans for the evening of May 15th!
North Oaks Golf Club Chef prepared dinner of Chicken Breast in Dijon herb pan jus, Rosemary Roasted Heirloom Potatoes, Spring Vegetable with Dessert Bars. Author-signed books available for sale. Spring-time colors and fascinating photos on display. A Hill Farm Fundraising table hosted by Dr. Ford Erickson, HFHS Treasurer. After dinner, Sara Maud Lydiatt Vanier, granddaughter of Louis W. Hill, Jr., will talk about her families passion for conservation, protection of North Oaks land and habitat restoration.

It's not too late to get tickets. Right here ....

The Hill Farm Historical Society's mission is to share the rich and unique history of James J. Hill's North Oaks Farm through preservation of the Hill Farm National Historic Site, and, to tell the story of the role the farm played in the development of agriculture and Hill's Great Northern Railway f...

05/01/2026

Remember hearing more stories from loved ones - those told from generation to next generation to next generation? While today's full calendars can keep us extremely busy, it's easy to forget the art of storytelling. Join Hill Farm Historical Society on May 15th to hear Sara Maud Lydiatt Vanier share unique stories from the Hill Family.
You just might leave the evening inspired to share your own stories with your family.
Tickets: www.hillfarmhistoricalsociety.com