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Middlefield, Connecticut: Ten Generations on One Farm

Middlefield, Connecticut

Pictures from Middlefield

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Wadsworth Falls Levi E. Coe Library Peaches at Lyman Orchards

Middlefield began as an ecclesiastical offshoot of Middletown: in 1744 the Connecticut General Assembly recognized it as a separate religious society, but full separation took 122 years — Middlefield was not incorporated as its own town until May 9, 1866, one of the last towns incorporated in Connecticut. The name is geographic: Middlefield sits roughly halfway between Middletown and Durham, and between Middletown and Meriden. In the mid-18th century John Lyman and his wife bought 36 acres west of the Coginchaug River; the Lyman family has farmed the same land since 1741 and is now in its 10th generation, one of the oldest continuously family-run farms in the United States. Conservationist Clarence S. Wadsworth founded the Rockfall Foundation in 1935, and after his death in 1942 a 267-acre donation became Wadsworth Falls State Park. Rockfall, in the northeast of town, is a historic mill village with its own ZIP code.

  1. A waterfall on the Coginchaug River, a state park since 1942.

  2. A 1,100-acre farm worked by the same family since 1741.

  3. All-volunteer society preserving Middlefield and Rockfall history.

  4. Free town park with fossil dinosaur footprints.

  5. The town's 26-plus-acre recreation ground.

  6. Pub fare at Lyman Orchards Golf Club.

  7. Lyman Orchards' year-round bakery, deli and creamery.

From ecclesiastical society to orchard town

Middlefield's 122-year path from religious society (1744) to incorporated town (1866) is one of the longest in Connecticut history. The Lyman family bought its first 36 acres west of the Coginchaug River in the mid-18th century; seven generations of Lyman descendants shaped the local economy, moving from washing-machine manufacturing to today's fruit orchards, and the family now farms roughly 1,100 acres across ten generations. Wadsworth Falls State Park traces to conservationist Clarence S. Wadsworth, whose Rockfall Foundation (founded 1935) received a 267-acre bequest after his 1942 death that became the park — named for the falls on the Coginchaug River.

Getting there

Middlefield has no train station of its own. Route 66 begins at I-91 in Meriden, runs as a four-lane freeway for about 1.5 miles into Middlefield, then becomes a four-lane surface road toward Middletown. Route 157 runs 6.86 miles from Route 68 in northwestern Durham through Middlefield (including the village of Rockfall) to Route 66 in Middletown; Route 147, Main Street through the town center, overlaps Route 157 for 0.7 miles, with Lake Beseck just off it. The nearest passenger rail is the CTrail Hartford Line at Meriden, roughly 8 miles west, with 24-hour parking and Amtrak among the connecting services.

Lyman Orchards and the town parks

Lyman Orchards offers pick-your-own apples, peaches, pears, berries and pumpkins from more than 100 fruit varieties, plus the Apple Barrel Farm Market's bakery, deli and creamery and an annual themed corn maze. Powder Hill Dinosaur Park, a small free town park, preserves fossil footprints discovered during 1846 stone excavation for the Beseck Dam. Peckham Park, the town's 26-plus-acre "crown jewel," has ball fields, a skate park and a walking path with exercise stations.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Middlefield?
By car — Route 66 runs from I-91 in Meriden into Middlefield, and Route 157 connects Durham to Middletown through town. There is no rail station in Middlefield; the nearest CTrail Hartford Line stop is Meriden, roughly 8 miles west.
When can I pick fruit at Lyman Orchards?
Pick-your-own runs daily 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. in season, June through November, across more than 100 fruit varieties. The Apple Barrel Farm Market is open year-round, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
What is Wadsworth Falls State Park?
A state park since 1942, with 4.5 miles of hiking and biking trails, a covered bridge and the Big Falls on the Coginchaug River (viewing only — no swimming there). A separate swimming and picnic area sits elsewhere in the park. Open daily 8 a.m.–sunset.
Is there a hotel in Middlefield?
No hotel, inn or B&B could be verified operating inside Middlefield. The nearest option is the Inn at Middletown, 70 Main Street, Middletown, roughly 6 miles away.

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