Over 150-Year-Old Guilford Staple Announces Brand 'Refresh'

GUILFORD, CT — Bishop's Orchards, the Guilford staple that has served generations of visitors since 1871, announced a new chapter in its history on Wednesday.

"Over the past several months, we’ve been working on a refresh of how things look and feel, from signage and packaging to the way everything comes together, both in-store and online. The goal is simple: to create a more memorable, connected experience for our visitors," the business posted on Facebook along with a reel of old photos from the farm.

"As part of that, you’ll start to see us refer to the business more simply as Bishop’s, rather than Bishops’s [sic] Orchards," the post continued.

The brand refresh is expected to launch the week of April 19.

Walter Goodrich Bishop started a general farm in Guilford in 1871, and his son, Burton Walter Bishop, helped to expand the business, according to the business's website.

The first commercial orchard was started at the property in 1909, and it was later incorporated and formally named after Burton, who died in 1942.

The retail farm market was expanded to be open year-round in the 1970s, and in 1974, the farm expanded by purchasing Tollgate Orchards in Northford, which consisted of 35 acres — now known as Bishop’s Orchards Northford Farm.

The company is currently being run and managed by sixth-generation family members, co-CEOs and sisters, Sarah Bishop DellaVentura and Carrie Bishop Healy. Their brother, Ryan Bishop, is also involved in operations as the company's farm production manager.

The Bishop families have roots in Guilford since the founding of the town by relatives from England in 1639.

"Over time, we’ve grown into many different experiences - our Farm Market, Creamery, Pick Your Own, Little Red Barn, and Winery, to name a few. Using 'Bishop’s' allows us to speak to the whole of what we are," the Facebook post said.

When referring to a specific aspect of the business, Bishop's Orchards said it will name it clearly - Bishop’s Farm Market, Bishop’s Creamery, and Bishop’s Orchards, as an example.

"What has mattered most throughout this process is making sure this next chapter honors the people, the land, and the legacy that got us here," the business added. "Stay tuned for more soon!"

Note: This post has been edited to reflect the current operators of Bishop's Orchards as co-CEOs and sisters Sarah Bishop DellaVentura and Carrie Bishop Healy. Their brother, Ryan Bishop, is also involved.