The Story of Stover Mill Farm
Long before it hosted a native plant nursery, this land had a story of its own.
A Mill Along Broad Run
Circa 1832, a mill stood along the Trapp Branch of Broad Run, taking advantage of the steady flow of water that powered its operation.
More than just a place of work, the mill was a gathering place for the local community — a place where neighbors met, stories were shared, and daily life revolved around the rhythms of the seasons.
Through wars and hard times, growth and change, the mill and its surrounding land remained a constant through nearly two centuries.
Today, the mill is gone, but the land, the water, and the spirit of this place remain.
Read “A Time Capsule in the Gap” — a history of Broad Run (PDF)
The Landscape Endures
Over the last two centuries, buildings and people have changed, but the streams, forests, and meadows continue to shape this place.
Wildlife has always called this land home — from deer along the ridges to beavers and herons along the stream, and countless songbirds in the trees.
Nature’s presence is the thread that connects the past to the present.
Discovering What Was Already Here
When we arrived, we quickly realized the farm already held remarkable treasures.
Native grasses swayed in the fields. Wildflowers bloomed in the meadows. Fireflies lit up the summer nights. Spring peepers sang from the vernal pools.
Through our partnership with the Clifton Institute, we learned to slow down, observe, and appreciate what had been here all along. What began as curiosity became a deep appreciation for the remarkable diversity of native plants and wildlife thriving on the property.
We didn’t have to look far to find beauty and abundance — it had been here all along.
A Timeline of the Land
- Circa 1832: A grist mill stood along the Trapp Branch of Broad Run, serving the surrounding farming community.
- Late 1800s: The surrounding farmland continued to support local agriculture and the close-knit rural community.
- 2013: Tony and Barb moved to Stover Mill Farm, beginning a new chapter of learning, stewardship, and discovery.
- 2013–Present: Working alongside the Clifton Institute, the farm has become home to an ever-growing collection of native plants.
- Today: The native plant nursery is one part of the farm’s continuing story — sharing Virginia native plants while the land continues to inspire, teach, and support an incredible diversity of wildlife.
Looking Ahead
Every generation leaves its mark.
Our hope is simply to care for this land, share what we’ve learned, and leave it even more alive than we found it — for the wildlife, for future generations, and for all who come to visit.
The story continues…