Class 2003
County Achievement Awards
Berkshire County
The Bartlett Family
Four generations of the Bartlett family have been growing, packing and shipping apples over a time period that spans fifty years.
Francis and Betty, along with Fran's parents, A.J. and Sophie, invested in the orchard in 1947. The four operated the orchard and found it was an almost perfect place to grow apples. The placement of the orchard on 52 acres of land on Lenox Mountain allows for the proper airflow. The rich, moisture-bearing soil guaranteed the juiciness of the fruit and the combination of warm summer days and cool Berkshire nights make for exceptional apples.
Two more generations of Bartletts are in the business. Sons Rick and Ron have been working in the orchard since they were teenagers and they have been joined by their wives, Cindy and Joan. The fourth generation, Ron and Cindy's son and daughter, Justin and Micaela, as well as Rick and Joan's daughter, Elizabeth, are in the business as well.
The Bartletts' apples are sold at the store in Richmond and the 18 varieties of apples are shipped annually to every part of the country or people can "pick their own" apples from Labor Day to Columbus Day each year. Visitors can watch the pressing of cider apples to make an all-natural cider. The Bartlett Orchards features a full bakery with many apple products as well as cheeses, maple syrup and gift boxes that are a big hit.
The family continues to work the orchard, and the Bartlett Orchards is a fixture in the Berkshires.