The Orchard at Val-Kill

NPS Photo

The orchard was created in 1931. Here, Eleanor, Marion, and Nancy grew a variety of crops including raspberries, blueberries, pears, grapes, and apples. Fruiting trees included Bosc and Bartlett pears, Mackintosh, Red and Yellow Delicious, Spy, and Pippin apples. The orchard was also home to bee hives. The original orchard was about twice the size it is today. Half was claimed for the parking lot when Val-Kill was under development as a National Historic Site. The stone pillars at the present parking lot provided entry into the orchard which was surrounded by stone walls and a paling fence.