A Place Where Community Has Always Gathered
The History of the Millstad Estate;
The approximately 40 acres that make up the property today were once part of the much larger 500-acre Dunkale Estate, a historic tract whose story reaches back to the late 1600s. Remnants of that early estate can still be found throughout the property, including traces of the original estate entrance and spring house. Over the following two centuries, the great estate was divided into smaller parcels, and by the mid-1800s, the land that is now Millstad had become a working farm.
One of the property's most recognizable historic structures, The Great Hall, dates to this agricultural period. Originally built as a bank barn, its massive stone walls, heavy timber construction, narrow windows, and cast-iron bell remain reminders of the property's farming history.
But perhaps the most meaningful chapter in the property's history began in the early 1900s, when the land took on a new purpose.
From Farm to Fresh Air Farm;
Around 1908, the property became a place for children's education, recreation, and time in the country.
The Children's Fresh Air Society of Baltimore established a summer camp here for children from the city, continuing a mission that had begun decades earlier. The Society was founded in the late 1800s to give children who otherwise had little opportunity to leave the city a chance to spend time in the countryside. Its programs were supported by charitable giving and community fundraising, and transportation was organized so children could make the journey from the city to the country.
Here, children could experience something very different from city life: open fields, fresh air, woods, recreation, swimming, nature, and the freedom to simply be children.
The camp grew into a substantial recreational landscape. Historical accounts of the property describe cabins, nature trails, baseball fields, a basketball court, a theater, and a creek-fed swimming pool, along with other spaces for recreation and gathering. Some of those historic camp structures have continued to serve the property in new forms. The old theater, for example, is now the building Wise Traditions hosts gatherings in! The property was also home to Dunkale School, a one-room schoolhouse on the portion of the property nearest Whitaker Mill Road.
For generations, this was not simply private land.
It was a place where children came to learn.
A place where people came to play.
A place where families, educators, counselors, and community organizations invested their time and resources.
A place where people gathered.
A History of Opportunity and Access
The Fresh Air Farm era was rooted in opportunity, providing city children with access to nature, recreation, and nutrition. Records held by the Maryland Center for History and Culture document decades of this impactful work through the early 20th century. This shared history gives the property a significance that transcends its architecture.
From Fresh Air Farm to Millstad
The estate continued as a hub for community gatherings under the Hegstad family since 1977. Today, The Millstad Center carries this forward. Our historic Great Hall, local fields, and wooded trails remain dedicated to bringing people together.
A Personal Connection to the Story
We aren't just starting a new project; we are joining an existing narrative. One of our family members lives in a home once occupied by a community organizer for the original camp. This personal link to the past reminds us that the best way to honor this land's history is to continue its purpose of fostering connection.
Continuing the Tradition
At Millstad, we are building a new chapter that respects our heritage. Through agriculture, education, and seasonal events, we provide a space where families can explore and create together. While our programs evolve and gardens grow, our core mission remains unchanged. We are honored to carry forward this century-long tradition of community, learning, and recreation on this historic land.
Our Story
Wise Traditions at The Millstad began with a simple vision: to create a space where community, tradition, and learning intersect. In the heart of Harford County, we envisioned a gathering place that values the practical wisdom of the past while fostering the growth of the next generation. Our journey started when we realized families were searching for more than just activities-they were searching for connection and a sense of belonging.
Today, our mission remains focused on building what we wish we had: a place to grow, to explore, and to learn together. Whether it's through our seasonal events, hands-on workshops, or casual community meetups, every thread of our story is woven with the intent of creating meaningful experiences for every family that visits the farm. This is just the beginning of our story, and we invite you to be part of the chapters yet to come.
Nikki
Nikki is the mother behind Wise Traditions and has spent more than three decades involved in recreation, youth activities, athletics, and community building. She is also the owner and operator of Harford Cheerleading, an established cheerleading and athletic training gym in Harford County. Through decades of working with children, families, athletes, and the local community, Nikki has developed a deep understanding of what makes programming meaningful and what it takes to create a place where people feel welcome and connected.
Her experience brings a strong foundation in youth programming, recreation, activity-based learning, leadership, and community relationships. For Wise Traditions, Nikki brings the perspective of a mother, an experienced youth-program leader, and someone who has spent decades creating spaces where children can develop confidence, learn new skills, and become part of something bigger than themselves.
Savanna
Savanna is the founder of Wise Traditions and the driving force behind its educational programming, community partnerships, events, and overall vision. Her background spans education, family support, birth work, herbal education, event coordination, entrepreneurship, and community programming. Much of her work has centered around helping families learn, grow, and navigate important seasons of life.
As a homeschooling mother herself, Savanna has experienced the value of hands-on learning firsthand. She understands that education does not always need to look like sitting at a desk or following a predetermined curriculum. Sometimes it looks like planting a garden. Sometimes it looks like learning how to preserve food, make something by hand, care for animals, explore the woods, or sit with someone who has a skill you want to learn. Sometimes the most valuable learning happens because a child is simply given the opportunity to participate. That philosophy is at the heart of Wise Traditions. Savanna is building Wise Traditions as a place where families can find those opportunities regularly, while also creating space for local educators, artisans, farmers, tradespeople, and community members to share what they know.
Emily
Emily brings the creative and natural world side of Wise Traditions to life. A florist and maker, Emily works with flowers, plants, natural materials, and oddities, with a particular appreciation for finding beauty in things that are often overlooked and preserving pieces of the natural world in different forms. She has a passion for starting gardens from seed and creating spaces where people can experience the process from planting to harvest. At Wise Traditions, Emily will help develop and manage our native plant, pollinator, floral, and cut-flower gardens across the property. Her work will include growing flowers from seed, developing seasonal cut-flower gardens, supporting native pollinator habitat, creating floral arrangements, and incorporating natural materials into workshops and seasonal experiences. Emily's approach reflects something we value deeply at Wise Traditions: learning to notice what is around us, work with what the land provides, and turn natural materials into something useful, beautiful, or meaningful.
We Are Building What We Wish We Had
Being a homeschooling family has shaped this vision in a very real way. We know that families need more than educational programs. They need places to go. They need room to explore. They need opportunities for children to interact with people outside their immediate age group. They need adults who are willing to share practical knowledge. They need spaces where learning can happen naturally, without everything having to be measured, graded, or rushed. And they need community. That is what we hope to create at Wise Traditions. Our programming is intentionally broad because real life is broad. One child may want to learn about gardening while another wants to make something. One parent may come for a floral workshop while their children explore the property. A teenager might discover an interest in horticulture, entrepreneurship, agriculture, or a traditional trade. There is room for all of it.