Burlingham Orchard at Burlingham Complex (2010)

A cluster of leafless fruit tree grow in an open agricultural area. Their trunks are surrounded by protective fence and a house, stone walls, and wooded areas are visible in the background. The burlingham complex is part of weir farm national historic site, which preserves the home and studio of american impressionist julian alden weir and the landscape that inspired his paintings. The house was constructed in 1760, weir assumed ownership in 1882, and the period of significance continues to 1957 through the years his son-in-law mahonri young owned and lived there and when the property as used as an artists' retreat. The burlingham complex is comprised of domestic and agricultural areas linked together by stone walls. After they moved into the house, the weir family began working and improving the landscape to conform to their idealized vision of a new england farm. The southwest portion of the southern field contained an orchard. Historic aerial photographs from 1941 and 1951 indicate a geometric arrangement of ten to thirteen trees. The orchard was restored in 2001, removing volunteer trees and vines, rejuvenating five existing trees, and planting six genetically-identical propagules. The fencing shown here around the younger trees protects them from deer. *subject: cultural landscapes keywords: cultural landscape; orchard; julian alden weir; agriculture; burlingham complex. Depicted Place: Burlingham Complex, Weir Farm National Historical Park, Fairfield County, Connecticut.