Restored homestead joins famous state buildings on the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties

SALISBURY, Md., (August 21, 2017) --- State and local dignitaries joined descendants of chicken business and advertising icon Frank Perdue to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the Perdue family farmhouse and its inclusion in the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties. 

The farmhouse, which is part of the company’s logo and located across the street from the corporate offices of Perdue Farms, was built in 1917 by Arthur W. Perdue. Three years later, he founded on his family farm what would become Maryland’s third-largest company and the country’s most famous brand of chicken. 

“It’s an honor to have such an important part of our company’s heritage listed among the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties,” said Chairman Jim Perdue. “The farmhouse is a daily reminder to all of us at Perdue of the tenets of quality, integrity, hard work and trust upon which my grandfather built his business, and of our beginning as a family farm.”

“From humble beginnings in 1920 when Arthur and his wife Pearl started their small family poultry farm, Perdue has grown exponentially over the past century into a respected and celebrated name, and the number one fresh chicken brand in the United States of America,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “The focus of our administration has been on growing the private sector, creating jobs, and turning our economy around. Our success is due in large part to Maryland companies like Perdue, which have shown such loyalty and commitment to the future of our state.”

The house’s storied history began in 1917, with Pearl Parsons Perdue tending to a flock of egg-laying hens while Arthur saved up enough money to go into the business full time. In 1920, the year Frank Perdue was born, Arthur started the company as a table egg business, later moving to selling chickens. Over the years, the farmhouse became the site of a hatchery and later a research farm.

In 2007, the farmhouse underwent a restoration, revealing the original wood-sided exterior, and interior hardwood floors, woodworking and fireplaces. The work uncovered a wood shingle hidden in one of the walls, signed and dated “September 1917” by Arthur Perdue.

Attendees at the event included Maryland Governor Larry Hogan; Mike Gill, Maryland Secretary of Commerce; Joseph Bartenfelder, Maryland Secretary of Agriculture; and Salisbury Mayor Jake Day, along with Perdue executives, family and board members, and long-term associates, retirees and farmers. 

The event also included the release of a video tour of the farmhouse, narrated by Perdue family members.

About Perdue Farms
We’re a third-generation, family owned, U.S. food and agriculture company. Through our belief in responsible food and agriculture, we are empowering consumers, customers and farmers through trusted choices in products and services.

We focus on continuously improving everything we do, constantly learning, and sharing those insights across different production methods. That innovative approach is driving change throughout the company and onto farms. This continuous advancement is leading us toward our vision of becoming the most trusted name in food and agricultural products.

The PERDUE^® brand is the number-one brand of fresh chicken in the U.S., and Perdue AgriBusiness is an international agricultural products and services company. As we approach our 100^th anniversary in 2020, our path forward is about getting better, not just bigger. We never use drugs for growth promotion in raising poultry and livestock, and we are actively advancing our animal welfare programs. Our brands are leaders in no-antibiotics-ever chicken, turkey and pork, and in USDA-certified organic chicken. We’ve increased our support for the family farm by creating new markets, including specialty crops. Through agricultural services, we give farmers more options for the acre, including conversion to organic production and products and services that increase the sustainability of conventional agriculture. Learn more at www.perduefarms.com.