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Pavilion Honoring Patriarch Of Jones Family Farms Opens This Weekend

SHELTON, Conn. — It was back in the 1930s when Philip Jones began planting trees around the family farm his great-grandfather founded on Walnut Tree Hill Road.

A new pavilion honoring farmer Philip Jones will be in use this weekend at Jones Family Farms.

A new pavilion honoring farmer Philip Jones will be in use this weekend at Jones Family Farms.

Photo Credit: Contributed

So it’s only fitting that the Jones Family Farms family has paid tribute to the farm’s patriarch by building a pavilion made from lumber that came from trees he planted.

Located next to the former dairy barn that now houses the farm's Winery Tasting Room, the pavilion’s framing timbers are made of Eastern White Pine, while the roof sheathing is White Spruce.

The center finial is from a Black Walnut tree.

“The new pavilion has truly been a labor of love by all of our contractors honoring Philip Jones,” said Tom Harbinson, Jones’ facilities and infrastructure manager.

Born on Oct. 16, 1918, Philip Hubbell Jones, Jr. died on Aug. 10, 2015 at the age of 96.

Jones lived his entire life on the Jones Family Farms and never officially retired, inspiring and mentoring his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and an array of family friends.

Heavily involved in the Shelton Land Conservation Trust, Connecticut Forest and Park Association, Fairfield County Farm Bureau and more, he also served two terms in the state House of Representatives.

By the late 1940s, he and his wife, Elisabeth, created Jones Trees Farm, opening their land to those who wanted to cut their own Christmas trees, and an agricultural empire was born.

There will be a formal ribbon cutting for the pavilion in the spring as there are a few final details to finish, including a plaque to honor Jones. But the pavilion will be in use this weekend for the first pumpkin pickers of the season.

It will also be used for wine tastings and as an outdoor location for the farm’s popular cooking classes.

The farm is open for winter squash and gourds from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily through Oct. 31.

For condition reports and more information, call 203-929-8425 or visit www.jonesfamilyfarms.com.

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