Inside the American Victorian Farmhouse Set from the 2002 Film “Signs”

Bucks County, Pennsylvania

A box office hit grossing over $400 million, the 2002 film “Signs” by acclaimed filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan not only has an intriguing story but also a lovely American Victorian farmhouse at its core! Starring Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin, & Abigail Breslin, the film follows a widowed former reverend living with his children and brother on a Pennsylvania farm who find mysterious crop circles in their fields, suggesting something more frightening is coming. The Science Fiction/Thriller released in August 2002 and holds a 76% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Production Designer Larry Fulton was challenged with the task of finding a 40 to 50 acre piece of property for the production to transform into the what would become the film’s farmhouse setting. The production needed to be able to grow corn at a certain time, have it ready for filming at a certain time, and have the ability to make crop circles in the corn fields. The production found a substantial property owned by Delaware Valley College, an agricultural college, who assisted in the growing of the corn. Filmed on location in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, the production constructed the main farmhouse, a barn, and an outbuilding—all surrounded by fields of corn.

The highly detailed set was described as being an iconic American Victorian farmhouse finished in shades of red, white, & blue. While the farm exteriors were built on location with a few interior stages, most of the interior was built on sound stages in the studio. Not only are the grounds of the property extremely detailed and believable, the exterior of the house, as well as the interior, are filled with character & personality. From the ornate windows to the wallpaper from room to room, or the red living room to the large country kitchen, had we not known these were sets, we would have believed this was a real home! You can watch Signs on Disney+.

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