Long Island's Hidden Past: Lewis Oliver Farm

Long Island's farming history is still up and running with a historic dairy farm nestled in Northport that dates back to the 1860s.
The Lewis Oliver Farm, a well-known dairy farm until the 1970s, has provided milk and butter to countless Northport families.
Melanie Marzano now heads the operation that saved the farm from being demolished.
"We were concerned it would just be developed, and we would have more houses," says Marzano. "Petitions were signed, and we got the county and Town of Huntington to purchase the property."
The farm, now run by volunteers and funded by donations, serves as an animal sanctuary for chickens, goats, ducks and sheep.
The sanctuary also is home to Annabelle the cow, which many say is the star attraction of the farm.
"She is kind of the unofficial mascot of Northport village," says Marzano.
The farm used to be about 60 acres, but the four acres that are left offer families a chance to see what a Long Island farm was like in the past.
"We have generations of families that grew up with it, and now they are bringing their children and their grandchildren," says Marzano.
Over time, the farm has grown into more than just a place to feed animals, but has become a part of the community's history.
A team from the farm will be running in the Great Cow Harbor Race on Sept. 16. Donations will benefit the animals at the Lewis Oliver Farm.