History of Weston's Antique Apple Orchards
Weston's Orchards, the oldest active orchard in Waukesha, were established in
1935 by
Harvey and Alice Weston on a site owned by Alice's father, William
Marckwardt. By this
time the farm already had an orchard and several
of its current buildings. For
example, its Dutch colonial style barn dates to
1901.
The farm sits atop a glacial
promontory named Prospect Hill and has a panoramic view of the surrounding valleys
and lakes.
The family-operated orchards have supplied the public with historic apple
varieties for
over 60 years. Some of the orchards' trees were planted in the
late nineteenth century
and significant additional plantings were made during
the Great Depression by the orchards
current owners. The orchards
cover 16 acres with more than 700 trees and over
100 varieties with dates varying from the Calville Blanc d'Hiver (1598), Gravenstien (1600) to the Wolf River
(1881) and Pink Pearl
(1944).
Weston's Orchards work to conserve these antique apple vaieties from
extinction. The
Old Church apple, for example, is grown solely on their farm.
Weston's Orchards were included in the Prospect Hill Settlement Historic
District
because the grounds are an excellent example of a preserved turn-
of-the-century
farm. The orchards have also been added to the National
Register of Rural Historic
Landscapes.
The orchard farmstead reflects the apple culture in Waukesha
County during the 1930's.
The buildings show the shift from
extensive land use
to intensive use for specialty food production.
Weston's Antique Apple Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit foundation
(possessing a 501C3 standing with the IRS) that is charged with the running of the apple
orchards. Consequently, Weston's Antique Apple Foundation bears the burden of all
expenditures for the orchards, which are considerable. We therefore encourage all persons
interested in the preservation of these antique varieties to make a contribution to the Foundation.
All such contributions are tax deductible. To send contributions, please make checks out to
Weston's Antique Apple Foundation, Inc. and send to:
Weston Orchard
20040 W National Ave.
New Berlin, WI 53146