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Hovander Homestead Park
5299 Nielsen Ave., Ferndale, WA 98248
Telephone (360) 384-3444
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 Hovander Homestead Park preserves the rich history of pioneer farming and offers recreational opportunities for all ages in every season.
Come and picnic on a sunny weekend or plan a large group event and rent our day-use facilities.
Bring the whole family to tour the historic farmhouse and big red barn. Be sure to visit the farmyard full of cows, chickens, rabbits, pigs, goats and horses. You can even purchase a small snack for the animals at special vending machines.There are acres of grass and fields to play on and ample parking. Just to the north of the Hovander House, explore the Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden, and enjoy programs at the Children's Story Garden, located near the orchard. Included within the park is the nearby Tennant Lake Interpretive Center and award-winning Fragrance Garden.
To see what the park has to offer, watch this Hovander Park Video.
The Park
The park is named after Swedish architect Hokan Hovander. He and his family of nine immigrated here in 1897. Shortly after purchasing this rich farmland he began designing the house and barn. Acquired by Whatcom County Parks in 1970, the park encompasses nearly 350 acres.The site includes over a mile of river frontage along the Nooksack River and 60 acres of fertile farmland that is still used for hay and alfalfa harvesting. The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife manages the adjacent Tennant Lake Unit of the Whatcom Wildlife Area.
The House
The Hovander House was built of 52,000 board feet of handpicked clear western red cedar and Douglas fir. Several Scandinavian design elements were used, such as large windows for light, and sculpting patterns for interior moldings and exterior gingerbread. Originally all the woodwork of this six-room, two story house, was treated inside and out with linseed oil. The overall scale and use of ornamentation gives the Hovander House a manor-like appearance. The house was completed in 1903 and the 60-foot high barn, one of the largest wood barns in the County, was finished eight years later. The house is furnished with original pieces brought from Sweden by the family, and other furniture collected by Otis Hovander, the last son who lived in the house until 1969. Visitors can tour the Hovander House through the summer season’s regularly scheduled tours, or arrange for a private or group tour through the park’s interpretive history program.
 The Barn and Farm Animals
In and around the barn and farmyard is a collection of antique farm implements, including old harvesting equipment. Children can play on brightly painted tractors in the play area. Inside the barn are many unique architectural building styles and a hayloft used for storage. Within the massive barn is a milking parlor display adorned with some of the antique tools and equipment used at the time the Hovanders worked the farm. In the restored milk house are many of the tools used for making butter and cheese. The newly constructed office is a replica of the original homestead cabin the family lived in while the big house was built. The red and white building next to it was the  carriage house which stored buggies and carts and later on, cars and trucks.
From May through October, the park is host to a variety of farm animals, many of which are on loan from local farming families. Draft horses, donkeys, cows, sheep, goats and pigs-some that come as babies or yearlings- become part of the authentic sights, sounds and smells of a farm. Rabbits, chickens, roosters, turkeys, ducks, geese and peacocks live at the park all year long. The peacocks were an anonymous gift to the park many years ago and have made Hovander Park their home.
Picnics, Fishing, Hiking, Canoeing and Dog Walking
 Picnic tables are located throughout the park and the Tennant Lake area. There is no charge for County residents to use the park except for reserved areas. For larger family affairs, weddings, reunions, etc., there are several group picnic sites available for rent. Call early to reserve a site.
Grassy fields abound for blanket picnics and for informal softball, volleyball, soccer and croquet. There are over five miles of trails to hike along the Nooksack River and to  Tennant Lake including an extensive boardwalk on the lake. Salmon and trout fishing are available from the banks of the river and the lake offers bass fishing. Within the park are miles of specified dog-walking areas for on and off leash walks. *See also the Tennant Lake Interpretive Center and Fragrance Garden.
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