The Lyman Family

Since 1741

In their wildest dreams, colonial farmer John Lyman and his wife, Hope, could not have envisioned the complex and diverse enterprise that would evolve from their purchase, in 1741, of a 36 acre parcel of land in Middlefield. Through a history spanning eight generations, the Lyman family heritage was founded upon a commitment to preserve their land for future generations, using a combination of determination, innovation, and adaptation, attributes that hold true today.

The history of the Lyman Family and farm is as colorful as it is interesting, reflective of the ever-changing industrial and agricultural landscape of its times. It is a story that features a host of individuals who were involved in everything from industrial entrepreneurship to fine art, from the abolitionist movement, to the construction of railroads, and ultimately, to managing one of Connecticut's largest orchards and most popular family destinations.

In 1631, Richard Lyman (1580-1640) is the first Lyman to arrive in America from England, moving to Hartford in 1635. His grandson and great grandson (John) move to Durham in the early 1700s, and thus begins the story of the first of the Middlefield Lymans.

1741-1790

John Lyman (1717-1763) and his wife Hope move to Middlefield from Durham and purchase 36 acres of land. (The Homestead and Apple Barrel market sit on this original site). They have nine children, and their son, David (1746-1815), takes a leading role in the expansion of the family farm. A visionary with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, he prospers during the Revolutionary period, acquiring more land in Middlefield, and by 1790, total farm acreage is 650 acres. The family farm is thriving and self-sufficient

1800-1875

David's son, William (1783-1869) becomes an outspoken abolitionist, and is active in the Underground Railroad during the 1830s. His son, David Lyman II (1820-1869) establishes the successful Metropolitan Washing Machine Company in Middlefield, and is instrumental in the construction of the Air Line Railroad from New Haven to Boston, designed to provide a shorter link between New York and Boston; he dies before its completion in 1872. It is during the Civil War period that David Lyman II builds the Lyman Homestead. His brother William develops a patent for bow-facing oar system in 1875, and establishes the Lyman Gun Sight Company in 1878. By the next year, William receives the first of 17 patents for rifle, shotgun, and pistol sights.

1880-1930

By the 1880s, David II's son, Charles Elihu Lyman (1857-1923) introduces crop specialization, and increases the size of the Middlefield farm to its present 1,100 acres. Non-agricultural crops include the raising of spring lambs and dairy cattle; nearly 1,000 tons of hay are sold annually for local livestock. Along with others, he is credited for introducing peaches as a major Connecticut crop, at the time second only to Georgia in production. Lyman peaches are distributed to New York and Boston markets by iced railroad cars. The company fortunes turn, however, in the winter of 1917-1918. A devastating winter freeze produces a 4 ft deep frost, killing 500 acres of peach trees and ending the fruit's predominance as a major Connecticut crop. From 1818-1930, apple trees are planted in the place of peaches, truly a watershed moment in the farm's history. In 1921, the youngest of his three sons, John Lyman, (Sr.) takes over management of the Farm.

1925-1960

During the Great Depression years, Lyman Orchards gains acclaim as a leading regional apple grower in the Northeast. John Lyman, Sr. (1895-1982) spearheads innovative marketing initiatives to promote the distribution and consumption of locally grown apples. With other leading regional growers, he forms the New York/New England Apple Institute, and serves as its President, President of the Conn. Pomological Society, and Vice President of the National Apple Institute. This era also marks the beginnings of Lyman Orchards as an event destination. The Apple Blossom Festival, with the sitting Connecticut Governor presiding, is introduced during the early 1930s, and continues to be a major Connecticut attraction each spring until the outbreak of WWII. A strategic shift to retail marketing occurs during the 1960s as John Lyman, Jr. (Jack) assumes management -- a retail salesroom is added to the existing cold storage plant/packinghouse, complementary product lines are added, and pick your own fruit is introduced. Planted are the seeds for our future as one of Connecticut's most popular family destinations.

1960-1994

With far reaching vision and a career spanning more than 50 years, Jack Lyman introduces some of the most innovative measures in the farm's history, transforming the business into what is recognized today as a thriving diverse enterprise, a premier recreational and family destination. From 1969 through 1994, the business experiences tremendous expansion which included the addition of 2 championship golf courses, a Pick Your Own operation, the introduction of new fruit crops and the construction of a unique round retail salesroom: the Apple Barrel, famous for its weekend special events and in-store bakery, and for introducing our award-winning Apple Pie.

2000 and beyond

Now in its 265th year, Lyman Orchards continues to evolve while maintaining a steadfast commitment to preserving the land for future generations. John Lyman III, currently Executive Vice President of Lyman Orchards, represents the eighth generation of his family to be directly involved in the business. Like his father, grandfather, and great-grandfathers before him, preservation of the land remains central to his heritage, and the family continues to be innovative in its ways of upholding their traditions.

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