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Malabar Farm State Park

Experience America's most famous farm, the 900 acre country estate of Pulitzer Prize winning author, farmer and conservationist Louis Bromfield. Our new Visitor Center if full of interactive displays, and home of Malabar/Lehman's Gift/Book Shop featuring unique Ohio-made items, Bromfield's books, farm fresh products, and our own homemade fudge. Walk through the Ohio Songbird Aviary, petting barn, stroll through our butterfly, prairie & flower gardens, ride a farm wagon and tour the home where Hollywood stars Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall were married. Stop at the Roadside Farm Market for some fine produce or dine at the Malabar Farm Restaurant featuring delicious meals prepared with a Parisian influence in an upscale yet comfortable setting.

Malabar Farm offers family friendly events and workshops throughout the year, including the Malabar Farm Maple Festival held each March. Children of all ages can experience life on a farm by participating in chores and seeing how old fashioned maple syrup is made.

HAUNTED MANSFIELD OHIO

Ghostly sightings have been reported by workers and visitors of the historic farm. Tales of flickering lights and appearances by Mr. Bromfield in the big house intrigue paranormal investigators.

Home of Pulitzer Prize winning novelist & Conservationist, Louis Bromfield, Malabar is thought to have a few “guests” living at the Big House, Louis Bromfield’s 32 room mansion. These “guests” seem to appear at times to our visitors and on occasion have been caught on film, sounds and voices have been recorded. Smells, things out of place, the constant sense that you are being watched, all lead to the mystique of Malabar Farm. Not only is the Big House the site of some strange happenings, the Main Barn and restroom area adjacent to the Big House have had some strange things going on, not to mention the Ceely Rose home less than 1/8 mile from the Big House. Ceely Rose murdered her mother, father & brother back in 1896 and the house has had many happenings.

Haunted Tidbits

A visitor who was from the Philippines and who had never been to the US and knew nothing about Malabar, visited the Big House. Upon entering one of the upstairs bedrooms that had belonged to Ann the eldest Bromfield daughter, said the hair on the back of her neck stood up and she did not want to go into that room. Many visitors have had the same experience in that area of the house. A man who was investigating with one of the local paranormal groups actually got physically ill upon entering that same room.

A photo was taken by one of our employees while trying out his new camera one summer evening. Much to his surprise upon scanning through the pictures the next day there was a ghostly figure of one of Bromfield’s many boxer dogs. Others have felt and heard dogs in the house. One visitor actually felt a dog sniffing her, and this was before she knew Bromfield had dogs.

An employee who for a short time lived in the Ceely Rose house shared a story about his 4 year old son. This child was in a living room off the kitchen and was busy playing and talking to his toys. His conversation was so involved that his mother asked him who he was talking to and he answered “That lady that is always here.” Another person that had rented the Ceely House for a short time had a similar story.

In addition to ghostly visits by Mr. Bromfield, the farm is also home to the family house of Ceely Rose, who murdered her entire family in the Summer of 1896. Visitors and the general public can explore the story of Ceely Rose during one of Malabar Farm's "Night Haunts" throughout 2012.  There is a maximum of 30 people per Night Haunt and these fill up fast!  May 19, June 16, July 21, August 25, 2012. 

Other dates for paranormal investigations can be arranged for your group with advanced notice.

Groups and individuals interested in visiting Malabar Farm for a paranormal investigation, contact Sybil Burskey directly at 419-892-2784. 

SHAWSHANK TRAIL
James Whitmore (Brooks) and Clancy Brown (Captain Hadley) were both taken on a personal tour of the Big House at Malabar Farm by local tour guides. You can tour the 32 room home of Louis Bromfield, Pulitzer Prize winning author. A five-minute promo video of Shawshank Redemption can also be shown at Malabar Farm State Park upon request. On Malabar Farm's property is the best location to view the Oak Tree that was also in the movie. You can also see where the opening scene of the movie was filmed at Pugh Cabin, which is also located on the property of Malabar Farm State Park.  Please check with the staff of Malabar Farm State Park at the Visitors Information Center for availability at Pugh Cabin.

The famous Oak Tree in Shawshank Redemption: The road that Red (Morgan Freeman) traveled when he was looking for Andy's (Tim Robbins) treasure was supposed to be in New England but it is really Pleasant Valley Road in Lucas, Ohio, near Malabar Farm State Park. As you drive east along Pleasant Valley Road just past the entrance to Malabar Farm State Park, look to your left (north side of Pleasant Valley Rd.) to see the famous Oak Tree where Red walked along a hay field and removed stones from a rock wall where Andy kept his money.

As the oak tree is on private property and is currently being used as farmland, please respect the owner's privacy and land by not trespassing. Please do not stop on the road to view tree. The tree is best viewed on Malabar Farm State Park's property. Please check with Malabar's staff for tours of movie sites.

"Green" Malabar Farm:The new Louis Bromfield Visitor Education Center is now OPEN.Guided tours explore the 'green' features used in its construction and operation. What grows out of the earth and its soil, becomes our means of survival. This was a simple philosophy perpetrated throughout Louis Bromfield's books about the great experiment at Malabar Farm, and it is this belief that we continue to live by everyday at the farm. Opened in September of 2006, the Visitor Education Center features 'hands on' activities, exhibits and earth friendly construction.

Haunts:  Malabar Farm and nearby Pleasant Valley cemetery are said to be haunted by the ghost of Ceely Rose, a young girl who murdered her family in 1896. Ceely Rose and her family lived in a house on the grounds of what is now Malabar Farm State Park. Ceely's story can be heard at Malabar Farm's presentation of "Ceely", a dinner theater presented in October in Malabar's Big Barn.
Malabar's haunted history can also be heard at one of Malabar Farms Night Haunts on specific evenings throughout the Summer.

Admission: House Admission: $4.00 adults, $2.00 children (6-18), $3.60 Seniors (55+), under 6 free. Credit Cards: MC, Visa, AMEX, Discover.  Hours: House Tours: Jan-Apr; Call for hours. May 1-Memorial Day; Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm. Closed Holidays. Memorial day (including Memorial Day) through Labor DAy (Including Labor Day) Open Everyday; 10am-5pm. House tours on all open days are at 12pm, 2pm, &4pm. Wagon Tours May-Labor Day; Thursday- Monday at 1PM & 3PM, weather permitting. Open through October, Tuesdays through Saturday 11am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm, closed Mondays. October house tours at 12pm, 2pm, & 4pm. Saturdays, continuous hayrides; noon-8pm. October Sundays-Wagon tours at 1PM &3PM, weather permitting. Open on weekends only in November and December. 11AM-5PM Saturdays, 12PM-5PM Sundays.  No Wagon Tours November-April

Credit Cards: MC/Visa, AMEX, Discover.

While visiting Malabar Farm State Park, enjoy the free hiking trails, bird aviary, and special event throughout the year.

View Malabar Farm State Park Website

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