French Farm, a cherished historic landmark in Greenwich, Connecticut, spans four acres of rich history and natural beauty. Established in 1906 for Mary Billings French, a notable heiress and society figure, this remarkable estate was later passed down to her son, David R. A. Wierdsma. Under his stewardship, the Farm evolved into an enchanting oasis, boasting botanical gardens adorned with over 100 plant species, sculptures, minerals, and a captivating array of artifacts. French Farm earned its place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and today features a vibrant tapestry of elements, including sheep, chickens, peacocks, herb and vegetable gardens, barns, workshops, and a greenhouse, alongside its art and botanical collections.

In 2019, the mantle of stewardship transitioned to Greenwich Country Day School (GCDS), continuing to preserve the Farm’s agricultural, historical, and artistic legacy and created a dynamic learning environment where students of all ages could engage in immersive educational experiences, explore sustainability, and foster a profound connection between people and nature.

Instituto Xilonen’s (IX) Role:

Instituto Xilonen (IX) was invited to French Farm to catalog the diverse collection of Crystals found on the property and to provide guidance to the Farm Manager, Aaron Sinay, on their proper care and maintenance.

FIRST MEETING: June 21, 2022

Morning:
The initial meeting commenced with a tour of French Farm, led by Farm Manager Aaron Sinay. The IX team, comprised of Elizabeth Buffone (IX Director of Experience), Rae Fagin (IX Crystalogist), and Jan Johnsen (Landscape Designer for Spirit X in Katonah, NY), were introduced to the Farm’s extensive Crystal collection.

Lunch & Learn:
In a delightful Lunch & Learn session, Aaron, Elizabeth, Rae, and Jan joined eight GCDS students, ranging from 6 to 18 years old, who were eager to explore the world of Crystals.

The IX team conducted a hands-on lesson, teaching the students about Crystal types and their practical applications. The students had the opportunity to examine five types of tumble stones while learning about Quartz, mineral composition, the Mohs hardness scale, Crystal color formation, color symbolism, and the energetic and spiritual aspects of working with Crystals. The session concluded with a short meditation.

Following lunch, Aaron, Elizabeth, Rae, and Jan guided the students through the Farm’s gardens, where they could identify Crystals, ask questions, and delve into the history, lore, geology, and energetic properties of each Crystal. The IX team also provided Aaron with various ideas for engaging students in future crystal-related projects.

Comments from Elizabeth:
“The kids were super engaged, enthusiastic, and asked a lot of questions.”

Comments from Rae:
“One young girl, probably around 8, was full of questions and delightfully told me that she wanted to be a geologist when she grew up! It was wonderful to continue to inspire the children. A few of the children even lived on the farm, and I could tell that they would be looking at these stones differently in the future.”

Afternoon:
Elizabeth, Rae, and Jan compiled the information gathered during the visit into a comprehensive document. This included a map of the property indicating Crystal locations and an inventory spreadsheet detailing various Crystal types and their properties.

SECOND MEETING: September 30, 2022
In the second meeting, Aaron Sinay visited IX in New York City, where he toured the Space and held discussions with the IX team to review the final project results.

The comprehensive document presented to Aaron included:

1. A French Farm Crystal Map indicating the location of each Crystal on the property.

2. Crystal catalog with information regarding the Crystals, including their Mohs rating, safety considerations of handling each Crystal, and descriptions of the different Crystal types, including history and lore, geological characteristics, and spiritual properties.

Crystal Spreadsheet with the following details:

• Crystal ID
• Photo
• Location & Map
• Crystal type
• Element correlation (air, fire, water, earth)
• Mohs hardness rating
• Safety considerations of each Crystal to help inform Crystal storage, care, and handling:
• Does the Crystal contain heavy metals?
• Is the Crystal water-safe?
• Is the Crystal sun-safe?
• Descriptions of each Crystal, including history and lore information, geological characteristics, and energetic properties.

3. Guidelines for Crystal handling and care.
4. Crystal Handling Protocol.
5. Guidelines for maintaining Crystals outdoors, including cleaning suggestions

• List of water-safe Crystals (including type of Crystal and Mohs Hardness Scale rating).
• List of non-water-safe Crystals
• List of Crystals at risk for sun bleaching or sun damage.
• Mineral makeup and precautions for specific Crystals.
• Cleaning suggestions for outdoor Crystals.

6. Suggestions for Student Projects / Learning Opportunities

• Create a list with detailed information on each Crystal (measurements, photos, in-depth research about the Crystal)
• Name the Crystals and ensure the proper placement for balance of body, mind, and spirit.
• Create displays (sew pillows or craft stands using 3-D printers, wood, or baked clay).
• Organize events like a Poetry Crystal Walk or Scavenger Hunt.

7. Connections to further Crystal contacts, including appraisers and custom display producers
Contact information for a Crystal Appraiser, Master Gardener, and Crystal Displays.

8. Resources with recommended reading.

Summary

The collaboration between French Farm and Instituto Xilonen has enriched the understanding of Crystals and their presence on the estate. Through hands-on learning experiences with GCDS students and the meticulous documentation of Crystal-related information, French Farm is better equipped to preserve and engage with Crystals as well as educate future generations about the crystals that adorn French Farm.