Wismer family history in this community, his days as a concert pianist, maintaining a 230-acre farm

Wismer family history in this community, his days as a concert pianist, maintaining a 230-acre farm
Oct 04, 2017
Mr. Mathew Wismer
Wismer family history in this community, his days as a concert pianist, maintaining a 230-acre farm

Matthew Wismer owner of Northern Star Farm in Trappe has created a lasting legacy of farm fun, and engaging entertainment for our community's economic development.

Not only is Matthew is tireless, dedicated farmer when tending his land growing soy beans, corn, and hay for Kennett Square mushroom growers, and taking care of his barn cats and farm animals, but a gifted pianist who learned to memorize his repertoire from his piano teacher Paul Manzini over nine years, many as his private pupil. As a young man, Matthew entered a National Grange piano contest in California taking second place. He has won many ribbons for his piano talents as well as evident by the two or more hours he practices on his grand piano every day. 
 
By the time Matthew reached his 30s, he was performing the music of one of his favorite pianists Liberace. At one point, in publicity articles he was known as "The Liberace of Collegeville". Last April, Matthew revisited his concert pianist days by opening for the Frank Sinatra Tribute singer Steve Ritrovato at Imperial's Catering in Trappe playing to long-time friends, area residents, and strangers. He surprised everyone by creating a comedy routine copying the best schtick from renown pianists Liberace, and Victor Borge. After a medley of Chopin's music, he transposed the song "Mac the Knife" made famous by teen idol Bobby Darin into the styles of Liberace's favorite composer Chopin, Claude Debussy's "Clair de Lune", and Mozart. 
 
 
As a community-minded person, Matthew has shown his farmhouse on the Holiday House Tour, has served on Trappe Borough Council 28 years ago, and has lead the Collegeville-Trappe Memorial Day parade in his stylish horse-drawn carriage wearing natty colorful costumes as he carries the Mayors of Collegeville and Trappe, and other local dignitaries over the years to Water Works Park. In keeping with the distinguished public service of his departed father Charles, Matthew is running unopposed as the 2018 Mayor of Trappe.
 
Northern Star Farm’s history is one of significance to Trappe not only because of the Wismer family's dedication to dairy farming, and keeping the land open, but that the farm's 230 acres lie exclusively within borough boundaries. Much of the acreage owned by the Wismer family once belonged to one of Trappe’s early residents, the Dewees family. In 1802, David Dewees purchased 152 acres of land in Trappe. 
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Today the dairy cows are gone, sold in 2012. In a change of direction six years ago, Matthew created an "agritainment" business with his two daughters Ashley and Erin where every weekend in October his Fall Fest offers visitors from the tri-state area wholesome family entertainment. There are hay rides to the to the pumpkin patch, bonfire pits, apple and water bottle slingshots, a duck slide, a goat walk, a children's play area with a hay bale maze and soy beans play pit, pony rides, flashlight-guided night corn mazes, sleigh rides in vintage sleighs in winter, live farm animals, and more. He has created a healthy environment where families can get away from fast-paced city life to relax and enjoy his farm at least for a few hours on a crisp October weekend. Matthew's farm has been featured on the Valley Forge and Montgomery County website as a destination. Over the years there have been several glowing articles written about his farm, and what he is trying to offer there.
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