Fifty Years of Love to rebuild a Colonial Orchard
In 1968, Carol B. Hillman bought a colonial era estate with an overgrown orchard,. This glorious site also overlooks the Quabbin Reservoir, Boston’s water source, in New Salem, Massachusetts.
A Historical Home Needing TLC
Originally attracted to the home onsite with a fire place in every room and a large hearth for cooking, she and her husband set to task to renovating the home to its full glory. At the same time, she also began bringing the two neglected colonial orchards back. Okay maybe they aren’t colonial era, but the giant Perry Pear Tree is one of the oldest around and the home itself dates back to early America making everything about New Salem Preserves and Hard Cider.
The Orchards
The two orchards named “Lawerence and Clara” after Carol’s first grandchildren are all standard trees. Many of the trees are over 150 years old. Most of the same people that Carol originally worked with are still with her today, like Steve Wiseman who helps with the orchard and New Hampshire pruner Brad Maloney.
Brad considers the orchard his museum piece. Over the past 30 years he has added his own special touch by using the water sprouts and bending them into what he calls Apple Pretzels.
What to call Fresh Pressed Apple Juice
Carol has always called her fresh pressed apple juice “Cider” or “Sweet Cider” She destains the term apple juice, which to Carol means canned juice that is over pasteurizes and stripped of all the rich flavors that can only be found in orchard pressed juice.
In 2019, the orchard became licensed to ferment cider into “hard cider”. William Grote, an award winning cidermaker from Boston, traveled out to New Salem each week to make cider. William has since moved on, but the goal to make cider remains.
In short order, an outdoor space was made for visitors to sit in called the Cider Garden. Today, you can order a glass and take a seat or walk about with glass in hand into the orchard.
Current Ciders on Tap or take in a crowler (32 ounce) to go.
- Redfield, Reine de Pomme, and Macintosh (6.0%)
- Macintosh, Northern Spy, Empire Blend (6.0%)
More Apple Products at New Salem Preserves
- Gift box of 18 apples and a jar of strawberry jam – dried in the solar cooker attached to the bar,
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Cider Donuts
- Apple Butter
- Sweet Cider – unfermented apple juice
- Hard Cider
Contact for New Salem Preserves and Heritage Cider
Website: http://www.newsalempreserves.com/
