The majority of Virginians of that time period were tenant farmers who grew tobacco to pay their rent while growing food to eat.

Originally named Turkey Run Farm when it opened in July 1973 as a National Park Service operation, the Claude Moore Colonial Farm was renamed in 1981 for local land developer Dr. Claude Moore, whose large bequest at the time of his death allowed it to establish itself as the only autonomous site in the National Park system.

The GateHouse Giftshop replaced the admission fee drop box honor system, and an event deck and the Bounty Garden were added at the front parking lot.

In 2011, "Chez Puce," formerly the site of the Farm's alternating book and "garage" sales, became a full-fledged used-book store,[5] open Wednesday through Saturday.

The Fair was enhanced by the participation of a cadre of long-time volunteers, including a blacksmith, a cabinet maker, a milliner, an herb and flower seller, a potter, and a chair bodger; and it featured a toy store, a scriptorium, a puppet theatre, chicken roasting, a tavern, and more.