Early image of Milk Delivery Wagon

You can see J H Bartlett and Ocean View Farm in this early photo

History of the Farm

Bartlett's Ocean View farm, although probably not named such until the late 1800's, has been located in the same general area since William came to the island from Marblehead, Massachusetts. He married here and farmed the land, as did his son Albert, and his Grandson, John H. Bartlett, who was a dairy farmer. It is most likely that the farm before his also had dairy cows. Vegetables would undoubtably have been grown along with hay, and perhaps grain, for the herd.

Aerial Phot of Farm Mid 20th Century

In the late 1940s and early 50s, when dairy farms were required to put in pasteurization plants, John H . Bartlett, Phil's Grandfather, who was getting along in years, decided to retire. His son, John H. Bartlett, Jr., affectionately known in the community as "June", chose sheep as an alternative method of farming. He brought a small flock of sheep over on the ferry, not in trucks, but just loose, and drove them up the streets of town and out to the farm.

Phil Bartlett as a wee Lad

Phil Bartlett as a wee Lad on Squash.

In the early 1950's, while his father, "June", was raising sheep, Phil persuaded his grandmother to let him use her protected front yard to grow tomatoes. Soon he began growing other vegetables as well. The Sheep grew sick and ultimately became diseased and had to be destroyed. So it was that, in the mid 1950s, the vegetable business, which Phil started and had worked at with his younger brother, henry, became the main form of farming at Ocean view Farm.

Phil Bartlett on tractor

A Great Shot of Phil on the Tractor.

We started with about twenty acres of vegetable production and proceeded to bring more and more land under cultivation. In the 1960's we began raising Black Angus cattle and eventually had a herd of over 70. However, deciding to use more land for growing and less for grazing brought that venture to an end early in the 1980s. Today there are over 100 acres being cultivated for vegetables, herbs, and cut flowers.

Phil Bartlett during harvest

A young Phil Bartlett During harvest.

Our vegetable production necessitated the construction of a larger greenhouse in which to start our transplants. Vegetables were compatible with flowering plants, which we also wanted to grow, so we built several more greenhouses. We now use over 20 greenhouses for production.

Grace and June Bartlett

Grace and June Bartlett.

Through the 1960s and early 70s, June Bartlett was an integral part of the farm, helping with the crops and selling vegetables from the colorful truck on Main Street. He was a mainstay in the summer, parked at the corner of Main and Federal Streets. He knew all the summer visitors and they knew and adored him. Upon his death in 1974, his many friends erected a monument in his memory at the site where, for so many years, he sold his vegetables. It stands there today as a reminder of this gentle man and reads, He loved the dawn- He loved the soil- he loved mankind- & all Nantucket loved "June".

Phil and Dorothy bartlett's Children all grew up on the farm, learning values and work ethics while helping out. Their eldest daughter, Cynthia, who earned a degree in accounting, is the farm bookkeeper.

The eldest son, john Willman Bartlett, followed in his father's footsteps. He received his B.S. degree in vegetable crop production from Cornell University. This is where he met his wife, Rebecca, who is now the farm controller. John is the now the farm's CEO and oversees everything that goes on on the farm.

Dorothy and Phil's two youngest children are the twins, David and Daniel. Dave Bartlett is the Field Crops Manager, and is in charge of all aspects of growing the greenhouse tomatoes. Daniel, on the other hand, is the Head Mechanic for the farm.

Young Phil Bartlett On The tractor

Young Phil Bartlett On The tractor.

The bartletts have farmed nantucket for nearly two hundred years. It is our hope that they will be able to continue to do so for another two hundred years.

Farming is, indeed, our way of life.