ABC's of Hippie Tom's Serendipity Farm


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History Channel's  TV show "American Picker's" helped to increase the visibility of Hippie Tom's Serendipity Farm located in Waterford, Wisconsin.  It is the quirkiest, coolest, most unique place in Wisconsin that I have visited yet.  It is only open two times a year, Memorial Day weekend and the first weekend in October, unless Tom randomly decides to open up for a special weekend here and there.  Check his facebook page for news on when he will be open.  My friend and I love going in the spring and fall to get unique photos and shop around for that one special item that might catch our eye.  I have well over a thousand pictures from this place alone.  So, how do I begin to describe this strange, eclectic, retro farm to you and Hippie Tom, who is part hoarder, part artistic crafter, part antique and junk collector - yet super cool all at the same time?  I decided to do an ABC's of Hippie Tom's Serendipity Farm to give you a small glimpse of all the kinds of interesting things you can discover here.  So follow along as I take you on a very limited tour of this peculiar, distinct, must-see place.


A is for Angel Figurines and Statues

Sprinkled all throughout the many buildings and grounds are various forms of angels both in statues, signs, figurines and decorations.  If you are an angel collector, you are sure to find a unique angel to add to your collection.


B is for Bow Ties

Looking for a unique, retro bow tie unlike the ones you'll find in today's department stores.  Look no further!  Hippie Tom's has just what you need to make your suit stand out above the rest.


C is for Chairs - Lot's and Lot's of Chairs

Oh my goodness, I promise you will be amazed at the huge number of chairs in the upstairs of the big barn building.  Where I was standing in this room, chairs surrounded me on all four sides.  You must ask for assistance if you want to buy one because otherwise, I shutter to think of what might happen.



D is for Dustpans

My favorite wall is the dustpan collection hanging alongside one of the outbuildings on the property.  I am always enthralled with this wall.  It makes me think of the many generations of housewives who so faithfully worked to keep their homes clean.  Oh the stories that each dustpan holds.  I have often thought it would make an interesting novel of sorts.


E is for Elephant

If you are a collector of elephants or circus memorablilia, you are sure to find that special addition to your collection.  Every piece holds a bit of history and often Tom can even tell you where he acquired the piece from.


F is for Frogs

Frog statues are sprinkled throughout the amazing gardens and in many of the buildings.  You might even spot a few frogs doing yoga here and there.


G is for Greenhouse Filled With Treasures

Hippie Tom and his wife are big gardeners.  You will find beautiful gardens all throughout their large property and around all the buildings.  They even have a large greenhouse with items for sale that would be wonderful additions to your garden back at home.  Garden statues, fancy stones and baskets galore.  If it's cold outside, the greenhouse will warm you up too.


H is for Hannah meets Hippie Tom

Photo credit goes out to my friend Kim Bitto for this photo of when I got to meet Hippie Tom for the first time.  It's always fun to meet a TV celebrity.  He actually enjoys walking around the property on his open days and talking to the visitors, bargaining prices with them, and helping them put items in their car.  I've also seen him helping people get unstuck from his muddy parking lot.  By the way, you might be safer parking on the road, especially if it has rained recently.  He is very personal, friendly and knowledgeable about the history of the items he has for sale.  He is extremely artistic and he repurposes many of his items, and is really in to pottery as well.  You might even get to meet him at some local flea markets that he also brings some of his wares to.  



I is for Insects

Because many of the items are outdoors, you are sure to find nature abounding amidst the items you are scavenging through.  Random work gloves are all over the place.  Hanging on trees or topping fence posts.  I don't think he throws anything in the trash, so I think most of the work gloves hanging around were probably worn by him at some time.  One time I visited, these tiny insects were covering the gloves.  Makes for some interesting photos.


J is for Jars of Jewelry

Do you collect costume jewelry?  If so, you are in for a real treat.  There is so much costume jewelry at Hippie Tom's you will have to plan quite a few hours to go through it all.  Looking for that piece that reminds you of your great grandmother?  It may be in there, but you will have to dig around for it.  But hey, that's part of the fun.


K is for Kettles

Are you planning a fancy tea party?  Find that perfect old fashioned tea kettle or tea cup at Hippie Tom's.  There are many sprinkled throughout the many barns, outbuildings, and grounds.  You will enjoy the process of searching for the perfect one for your gathering.


L is for Lanterns and Lamps

Again, there are so many to choose from.  Whether you are looking for a chandelier, a table lamp, a tiffany lamp,  or outdoor lanterns - you will find something unique to light up your little corner of the world.  


M is for Mosaics

Mosaics can be found as art pieces hanging in the buildings, or as table tops, or even some chairs with mosaics can be found.  There is so much work involved in creating these pieces of art, and I appreciate the fact that Tom preserves them, to be sold to someone who will appreciate the value, and time, the artist spent in making them.


N is for Nostalgia

Nostalgic items like this antique car telephone are around every corner.  It is a great place for people to reminisce about things of old.  Stories from the past are to be heard coming out of visitors you pass by, as they remember that item their ancestors used on their farms or in their kitchens, etc.  You can't go to Hippie Tom's and not learn something about history.  Nostalgic toys, kitchen utensils, old barn wood, technology, signs, art, books, collectibles are everywhere.


O is for Owls

I threw this one in there because I know many people who collect owls and if you want a more uncommon looking owl to add to your assortment, it is to be found here.


Pottery Cemetery at Hippie Tom's

P is for Pottery Graveyard

Probably my favorite place at Hippie Tom's is the, hidden away, pottery graveyard, in the forest, behind the church.  While you will find plenty of unbroken pottery pieces for sale throughout the grounds, I love his creative, artistic way of storing the broken pieces.  He seriously made a pottery graveyard, and it is unlike anything I have ever seen before, complete with tombstones that tell his broken pottery to "Rest in Peace."  It has to rank up there with one of the oddest things I have seen in Wisconsin, and yet so interesting.  I am a firm believer that there is beauty in our brokenness, and this is a prime, visual, example of that.


Quaint Old Church at Hippie Tom's

Q is for Quaint Buildings Throughout the Property

Quaint buildings, many of them built by Tom himself, are all over the property.  Little shacks and sheds, outbuildings, barns, a greenhouse and this adorable little chapel, filled with all of his religious type items that he has for sale.  Don't forget to take a peak behind the chapel to find that pottery graveyard I mentioned above.


Road Sign's at Hippie Tom's

R is for Road Signs Galore

Want a stop sign, caution or yield sign, one way, detour or railroad sign?   You are almost guaranteed to find it.  I am not sure how he acquired them all, but there are road signs all over the place.  I even found a big stop sign in an outhouse on the property that made me chuckle.  Hippie signs also abound around most corners.


S is for Statues and Sculptures

So many statues!  Religious statues, animal statues, garden statues, historical figure statues. war and military statues, ethnic statues, seriously so many statues!


T is for Tires

You will find piles of old rubber tires, but Tom has a number of tires that he has repurposed into peace signs hanging around his property, in a variety of colors.


U is for Unique Items EVERYWHERE!

Unique can hardly describe it.  The buildings are all filled to the max with stuff, but around the grounds, you will find old satellite dishes, bathroom sinks, bicycles, Christmas tree stands and picture frames hanging from trees.  Old bedsprings, screws, bolts, bricks, carousels, ladders, rakes, shovels, really anything.  I cannot describe it.  At some point, you are sure to become overwhelmed with the amount of things you see.


V is for Very Impressive Gardens

As you leave the greenhouse area, you will find some of the most impressive, peaceful, quiet, garden areas.  It is a beautiful change of pace from the cluttered buildings.  It is a nice place to relax and stroll around looking at all the different plants and statues.  Tom and his wife are very good gardeners.  Large clusters of ferns and topiaries, shade plants, ground covers, flowering trees and shrubs, perrenials and annuals are sure to delight you.


W is for Wheelbarrow's Full of Gourds and Pumpkins


If you go to his fall weekend, they always have wheelbarrow's full of gourds and pumpkins for sale that they grew there on their property.  You will also find chrysanthemums and other fall decorations all over the grounds.  Every time I go, things look different.  I think he just enjoys artistically moving his stuff around to make it different each and every time.


X is for an eXtraordinary Amount of Stuff!!!

Sometimes, I seriously just stand there for like ten minutes wondering what something is.  The variety of items is mind-boggling.  It is almost just as fun to watch people get excited when they dig through a pile and find that one thing they were looking for.  I am somewhat of a minimalist and when I go to a place like this, my only thought is to go home, clean my house and declutter.  But other people who come here, have their imaginations sparked, and they will leave with entire trucks full of stuff.  I guess my creativity shows up in other ways.


Y is for "You're just like FRIED CHICKEN, You make EVERYTHING BETTER"


I guess it's the Southern gal in me that made me include this!  I seriously was tempted to buy this sign and if I had the space in my kitchen to hang such an item, I probably would have.  I have a genuine weakness for fried chicken and this sign was so adorable.  Unique signs like this pop up here and there.  I really liked a grilled cheese sign I saw there too.  You won't find stuff like this in your everyday shopping.  It can really make your home decor have that one-of-a-kind look to it.


Z is for Zer-O-Ice

Who keeps stuff like this???  Hippie Tom!  That's who.  I just can't picture someone wanting to buy that.  Would you buy that?  If so, I would love to hear what you would do with it.  Actually, if you visit Hippie Tom's and purchase something - I would LOVE to hear how you are using it.  It might spark my limited thinking.  Maybe I will see you there!

Now you know your ABC's of Hippie Tom's, next time won't you sing with me or just leave a comment and inspire me.

Until next time, always choose the scenic life!


Hannah Babiak is a stock photographer and travel blogger.  For writing assignments or ideas for future posts, please contact her at alwayschoosethesceniclife@gmail.com or leave a comment below.



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