Our History
A Century of Shaw Farm History
Shaw Farm traces its beginnings back to 1908, a year remembered for Henry Ford’s Model T and the first national celebration of Mother’s Day. In Dracut, Massachusetts, a small parcel of swamp and woods was purchased and transformed into productive farmland. With determination, vision, and hard work, the foundation was laid for what would become a multi-generation dairy legacy.
The early years were marked by persistence. A home, barn, and milk house were built, and milk deliveries began first by horse-drawn wagon, then later by truck. Like many small farms of the early 20th century, success required both on-farm and off-farm work, but the family gradually expanded the land and herd. By 1915, when a Oliver j Coburn was forced to close due to disease, Shaw Farm was able to step in and take over its customers. This became the starting point for a successful home milk delivery business.
The 1920s and 1930s brought both growth and hardship. Milk bottling began on-site with hand washing, wood-heated kettles, and ice-cooled storage. Deliveries shifted from horses to early milk trucks, but the Great Depression created challenges as bills went unpaid. Despite financial strain, the farm endured, sustained by barter, loyal customers, and a deep commitment to community. When the founder passed in the 1930s, the next generation took over, modernizing equipment, purchasing tractors, and continuing the dairy business through storms, market shifts, and economic uncertainty.
World War II highlighted the importance of local food production, and Shaw Farm was recognized for its contribution to milk supply during wartime. In the decades that followed, the business modernized further, introducing pasteurization and updated bottling equipment. While many New England dairies disappeared under pressure from larger competitors, Shaw Farm adapted, preserving its independence while remaining deeply tied to the community.
The 1960s brought a turning point. As supermarkets grew and home delivery declined, the farm turned to direct, on-farm sales. A simple honor-system cooler marked the start of what would become the Shaw Farm Store. Customers responded enthusiastically, and by the late 1960s, a permanent store was opened, laying the groundwork for a new retail direction.
By the 1980s, ice cream became a signature product. What started as a way to use surplus cream quickly grew into a thriving business. The addition of an ice cream stand turned Shaw Farm into a popular local destination, blending traditional dairy operations with community gathering spaces.
Through the 1990s and early 2000s, the farm invested in new barns, silos, and land to ensure self-sufficiency. The herd expanded, modern cow facilities were built, and the farm secured its long-term future through land preservation programs. At the same time, the retail store and ice cream business continued to flourish, with customers traveling from across the region for fresh milk and homemade ice cream.
In 2007, Shaw Farm introduced its own line of certified organic milk, responding to growing consumer demand. The following years saw the largest expansion in farm history: a new bottling facility, a modern farm store with a bakery and produce section, and expanded ice cream service with indoor seating. By 2010, Shaw Farm had one of the most advanced on-farm milk processing facilities in New England.
Today, six generations later, Shaw Farm continues the legacy of vision, resilience, and community connection. What began with a small piece of land over a century ago has grown into a thriving farm that balances tradition with innovation—remaining a trusted source of local milk, ice cream, and farm-fresh products for generations to come.
