Spence Farm was founded in 1934 by Irish immigrant William Spence and his wife Mabel (Strong) Spence. The couple’s two sons, Albert “Bud’’ and Bob Spence, eventually joined the family business. In 1946, the family purchased additional land on Wyman Street.

The Spence family sold seasonal produce at the wholesale market at Faneuil Hall. They built a farmstand in Woburn in 1951 for produce and seasonal offerings like pumpkins. In the 1960s the family expanded into Canada, purchasing land in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The additional land allowed them to begin raising Christmas trees, and soon Spence Farm was a major Christmas tree distributor, selling over 85,000 Christmas trees and 300,000 wreaths annually. They purchased the Scott Paper Christmas Tree Division in 1991.

In addition to agriculture, the Spence family contracted with the City of Woburn to maintain the city’s parks and open spaces. The city would return the favor years later, after Spence Farm had sold its Lowell Street site and begun phasing out its independent farming operation. When 7.58 acres of the 33-acre Spence Farm went up for sale in 2010, the City of Woburn purchased the land for $2.4 million.

The city recreation department renovated the farm building and now maintains the grounds for agriculture and community gatherings. While the Woburn Farmers Market is now permanently closed, the community gathering space continues to host

Bought by Woburn Recreation Department and maintained for agriculture and community gatherings, renovated the building exercise and yoga classes, sports, crafts, and more.

Sources: Archive.boston.com, sullivanfuneralhome.net, local.aarp.org,
Photo: facebook.com/WoburnRec