History of the Farm
Lavender Fields was part of a 1000-acre patent made by William Penn in 1684 to Molestine and Kipstaven. In 1685, Molestine sold his share to Thomas Fisher, whose son Joshua sold the property to Reverend James Martin in 1736. Members of the Warrington family owned the farm from 1770 to 1946. The Fisher house (later the Martin homestead) stood near the intersection of Cool Spring and Fisher Roads and is now know as the “Fisher-Martin” house, which serves as the Lewes Chamber of Commerce office after being moved to Savannah Road in 1985.
Over the years the land was handed down to family, sold and subdivided by Joe Hudson in 1973 to the current five acres. The property has always been a producing farm, starting as a major fruit grower in the late 1850s with 3,400 peach trees as well as apples, pears and other small fruits. Grain and sugarcane were also grown and sorghum was manufactured. The old house was demolished and the new manor house built around the turn of the century.
In 1958, W. Weldon and Elizabeth Brittingham, dairy farmers who owned Lewes Dairy, purchased the property and added the silos, corn crib and milking shed where they processed their milk prior to transfer.
After they sold it to the Heikels, who lived on the farm for 21 years, Pauline Petitt purchased the farm in 1994. Her father was a well known lavender grower in England and Pauline renamed the farm “Manor at Cool Spring Bed & Breakfast and Lavender Farm” and became known locally as the “Lavender Lady”. She planted the first lavender plants and sold the first lavender products.
Marie Mayor and Sharon Harris purchased the lavender farm in 2002 and later invited their friend Mary Ann Etu to become a business partner. Mary Ann was with the farm until 2015. The three friends worked together to build a unique agritourism retail business here in Milton, participating in local farmer’s markets, selling items on-site in The Lavender Fields Cottage Store, making soap and lavender products in the Soap Fairy warehouse and hosting celebrations of all kinds. The farm thrived for years under Marie and Sharon’s guidance and became a place that people travel from all over to visit and experience. Both Marie and Sharon are beloved members of the community and will always be remembered for their love and kindness.
Our Story
Cait Spieker Gee is from Milton and grew up on Red Mill Pond. A lawyer by trade, she decided to take the Delaware bar in February 2024 and specialize in land use & civil rights advocacy. Cait’s always loved design & aesthetics, so while studying, she reached out to local agent Lee Ann Wilkinson, offering her services as a home stager. Lee Ann connected Cait with prior owner of Lavender Fields, Marie Mayor, and the two hit it off. Cait has always loved the farm, but fell even more in love after an in-depth tour of the farmhouse. As her first business decision as a home stager, she decided to buy the client’s house instead and here we are!
Trevor, Cait’s husband, is also a lawyer. Hailing from Los Angeles, Trevor loves living by the beach again, but loves the small-town vibes even more.
Kerry Spieker, co-owner of the farm and Cait’s mother (and best friend!) focuses on design projects and events at Lavender Fields. You can find her getting her hands dirty doing the farm’s hardscaping, dreaming up themes for children’s parties in The Children’s Cottage, staging shoots in The Lavender & Flower Drying Barn, or working the desk in The Cottage Store. Kerry has a long history of working in design and aesthetics in the area and owned her own design firm in Lewes. She’s also a registered nurse, but these days, you’ll find her playing with her grandchildren or working on the farm.
We are so happy & lucky to be the current stewards of this beautiful land. We’re so excited to share it with you all!
The farm will stay open and free to the public. Come visit us in The Lavender Fields Cottage Store or at a local farmer’s market, join us by the fire pit, host a celebration next to the lavender and under the stars or come walk The Lavender Fields Labryinth to find your center. Our farm is about peace, love, lavender & good vibes. Come heal, love & celebrate at Lavender Fields!
Heather Sullivan
Hi all! I’m originally from Severna Park, Maryland. Maryland is where I went to school, started a career with Usairways and met my husband Will. Maryland is where we hoped to raise our two children Collin and Claire. Unfortunately, due to the events of September 11, 2001 our jobs at US Airways ended ubruptly.
After 18 years working at US Airways we decided to embrace the idea that change can be a good thing. We sold our house , packed up the car with our kids and the dog and we moved to the beach to “live on love!” Yes, everyone thought we were crazy. In 2005, I met the “Lavender Ladies” at the Lewes Historical Society Craft Show and like they say, “the rest is history.” Today, I am currently the Farm Manager where I oversee the day to day operation of this beautiful five acre lavender farm. When I’m not on the property you can find me set up at one of the many local farmers markets. Want to hear more of the story? Stop by the farm and say hi!
