Former Francis Farm Owner Takes Credit for Restoration

By Joe Siegel

Ken Foley, a former owner of Francis Farm, says he should be given credit for saving the historic property, which has been the site of numerous clambakes and other social events through the years.

Foley, who has served on the Board of Selectmen, bought the property in 2003 for $1 million. He then spent $2.5 million restoring the buildings, which had been in horrendous shape.

Foley remembers seeing how rundown the place was when he visited in the year 2000.

“It was a dump,” Foley said Monday. “Every building was condemned. I rebuilt and restored everything.”

Last month, the Board of Selectmen approved a name change for the Miller Building at Francis Farm. It will be renamed the Taylor-Miller Building with a dedication ceremony yet to be announced.

Cassie Taylor-Krasnianski shared the history of her family’s involvement with Francis Farm at a selectmen meeting. Her father was George Taylor and her grandfather was Frank “Mike” Miller.

“It was a gathering place. It was a community center,” Selectmen Chairman Skip Vadnais noted. “(Francis Farm) is a Rehoboth institution and it will continue to be one.”

Foley’s history with Francis Farm goes back to when he was a teenager. His Uncle George Taylor “raised me,” Foley said.  Cassie Taylor is his cousin.

“When (George Taylor) bought the farm, I was one of the first guys there. I was 12 years old. I’ve been involved with the farm my whole life. I loved the place.”

Foley points to Francis Hall, the current home to the Council on Aging.

“This building was falling over. It wasn’t insulated (in 2003). It was open. There were trees growing through it. I literally rebuilt and restored everything. I tore that house (now known as the Health Services building) down and rebuilt it. It was condemned.”

Foley said the Taylor family lacked the resources to maintain Francis Farm.  A local developer had planned to build seven houses on the land. Foley later outbid the developer and took ownership.

The Museum Building, where town meetings are now held, was built from scratch by Foley. He believes his family should be recognized for saving Francis Farm.

“To restore these buildings, I’m the one who did it. Me. My family. The Foley Family.”