| “I think I’m quite ready for another adventure.” — J.R.R. Tolkien I’ve shared how the story of Hobbiton in New Zealand—a sheep farm transformed into something magical—inspired me to wonder whether our family’s land could become something special, too. Which brings me to a question I’ve been asked several times: Why are we building FaireBorough? This property is our family’s story. Purchased in 1918 by my great, great grandparents, Sam and Lula Wilson, “the farm” (as we just call it,) has seen hard work, celebrations, and generations of memories. In their day, and my grandparent’s day, the land was a working tobacco and vegetable farm. But all that is gone now. Now, my father, Donald Wilson, lives on the property and enjoys tending flowers and tomatoes. Which brings us to today and my sisters and I – the next generation to step up to care for it. There are 3 of us: me – Laurie, Sandy, and Melissa. And I can tell you that deciding what to do with 90 acres is a tough decision. We could, of course, choose to sell it, or divide it, or simply let it become something else. Instead, we found ourselves wondering: What if we could hang onto it and create a place where others could experience it, too? Not by turning it into a crowded attraction, but by creating a place where people can slow down, reconnect with nature, and experience some of the same peace and beauty that we’ve found here over the years. This journey is personal for me. Like many people, I’ve reached a point in life where I’m asking what comes next. After years spent building a career and raising a family, I find myself drawn to creating something new – something meaningful—something that brings people together and leaves the world a little better than I found it. In the weeks ahead, I’ll be sharing more about our family, the history of this property, and how the dream of FaireBorough began. |
