D. W. Peckham grew beautiful dahlias and gladiolus in his field in Middlefield. His home sits directly at at the junction of Routes 147 (Bailleyville Road) and 157. 
Today, the former growing field that droned with the buzz of bees foraging among the world-class glads is known as Peckham Park. The dahlias are long gone.
Baseball fields, a picnic area, soccer fields and a playscape hum with activity though. Old Home Days is held at Peckham Park, and the place is abuzz with community fun and socializing.
The Peckham legacy is attached to the land while the town memory about the person who once worked the field and the origin of the name may be fading.
Note: I once had the privilege of interviewing the late Rachel (Peckham) Munson, daughter of D. W. Peckham. She shared copies of her family album, the source of the Peckham images.
