In 1880, Thomas Burns Sr. paid the tidy sum of $1190.00 for the 80 acres of land that soon housed the Burns Farmhouse. Thomas and Mary added 5 daughters and 4 sons to fill up the rooms in their farmhouse. It was apparent that each of the children were going to have to help in the farm operation to make ends meet. School was only attended in the winter months. Spring was for planting, Fall was for harvesting.

Banks were not a trusted source for saving money in those days and often the funds would be hidden in the walls of the house. Don't be tempted to look now, as these funds have already been found!

The wood stove in the kitchen provided the means for cooking and baking the family meals, as well as a source of heat in the winter time. The laundry was done on the back porch with the use of a scrub board and later a wringer washer. Water was gathered from the pump located under the windmill and bathroom facilities were also in an exterior location!