THE BRICK ACADEMY. Inside. Inside this issue. The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills May 2012

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Inside THE BRICK ACADEMY The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills May 2012 Somerset Hills Receives Historic Preservation and History Awards Inside this issue - The Astors, The Titanic and Basking

Heritage Commission presented the Somerset County Historic Preservation and History Recognition Awards on May 2 at the Brook Arts Center in Bound Brook.

1 Inside THE BRICK ACADEMY The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills May 2012 Somerset Hills Receives Historic Preservation and History Awards Inside this issue - The Astors, The Titanic and Basking Ridge - Charter Day: May 19 - Retiring Trustees - Walking Tour Stories - Peapack & Gladstone Centennial - American History Dates - Museum Exhibits - New Members The Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission presented the Somerset County Historic Preservation and History Recognition Awards on May 2 at the Brook Arts Center in Bound Brook. The 17th awards ceremony recognized accomplishments in historic preservation and history/education. Five Somerset Hills awards were presented among the eleven honorees: 475 South Maple Avenue, Basking Ridge (David L. Lewis House) Owned by Mr. and Mrs. Stan Holcomb Preservation/Restoration of an 1870 Second Empire Residence Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church 111 Claremont Road, Bernardsville Preservation of a 1900 Gothic Revival Church 18 Olcott Avenue, Bernardsville (left photo) Owned by Mr. and Mrs. John Wurch Preservation/Restoration of a 1909 Colonial Revival dwelling John Campbell Kennedy-Martin-Stelle Farmstead, Basking Ridge Leadership Bernardsville Library History Committee Bernardsville Public Library Leadership/Education The nominations for the three Somerset Hills historic properties were prepared by THSSH Trustees June Kennedy and Dan Lincoln. Other recipients included the Jacob Ten Eyck House (circa 1725/1792 Dutch Dwelling, Branchburg) and the Van Liew-Suydam House (1875 Italianate Dwelling, Franklin) for Preservation/Restoration; and Mark Else (Franklin Township/Meadows Foundation), Joyce W. Smith (Friends of Abraham Staats House/Raritan Millstone Heritage Alliance, South Bound Brook), Bridgewater Township Monument (Township Monument & Historical Committee, Bridgewater), and Bedensville School House Program (Cheryl Kunz, Van Harlingen Historical Society, Montgomery) for Leadership. Congratulations to the 2012 Award Recipients!

INSIDE THE BRICK ACADEMY PAGE 2 The Astors, The Titanic and Basking Ridge April 15, 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the ill-fated Titanic.

Astor later became a New York City real estate baron and died in 1848 as the richest man in America with an estimated net worth of over $20 million.

He built what was known as the greatest hotel in the world, The Astoria Hotel, next to The Waldorf Hotel, built by his cousin William Waldorf Astor.

2 INSIDE THE BRICK ACADEMY PAGE 2 The Astors, The Titanic and Basking Ridge April 15, 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the ill-fated Titanic. The original founder of the Astor fortune was John Jacob Astor who built a vast fur trading business after the Revolutionary War. Astor later became a New York City real estate baron and died in 1848 as the richest man in America with an estimated net worth of over $20 million. However, it was his great-grandson John Jacob Astor IV (right photo), also known as Colonel Astor who leads this story to Basking Ridge. John Jacob Astor IV was also a prominent real estate developer. He built what was known as the greatest hotel in the world, The Astoria Hotel, next to The Waldorf Hotel, built by his cousin William Waldorf Astor. Through the years, John Jacob Astor IV also purchased land in Bernards Township. In 1898, the Reverend Joseph Appley, young pastor of the Basking Ridge Methodist Church (currently Bishop Janes Methodist Church), recorded that he had permission by Astor to roam the fields from the present foot of Lindbergh Lane southward, between South Maple Avenue and the edge of the swamp. Several times a week, Rev. Appley would line up volunteer wagons and some male parishioners. Hours before the helpers arrived, he could be found inspecting a pre-selected area, checking every large stone for shape, soundness and hardness. By marking the ones that passed his test, Appley is credited with personally selecting the stones for building the church, kindly donated by John Jacob Astor IV. In 1909, John Jacob Astor IV, at age 45, divorced his wife Ava and, two years later, married his eighteen-yearold mistress Madeleine Talmadge Force, which scandalized New York society. The newlyweds travelled to Egypt and Paris and, in the spring of 1912, with Madeleine 5 months pregnant with their first child, the couple decided to return to New York as First Class passengers on the maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic. They boarded the grand ocean liner in Cherbourg, France, on April 10, with three servants and their dog, Kitty. A net worth of well over $87 million made Astor, without a doubt, the richest man aboard. Tragically, Astor was among 1,500 passengers and crew who perished when the Titanic sank at 2:20 am on April 15 after hitting an iceberg in the North Atlantic Ocean. Ironically, the U.S. Senate subcommittee hearings to investigate the sinking were initially held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Astor s body was recovered on April 22 and buried in the family vault in the Trinity Church Cemetery in Manhattan. Madeleine survived the maritime disaster in a lifeboat and inherited $1.7 million from John s estate. On August 14, 1912 she gave birth to John Jacob Astor VI (a British cousin was named John Jacob Astor V). No specific provision for the unborn child had yet been made, but a clause of his father's will provided that any surviving child, other than his son and daughter by Ava, would receive $3 million, to be held in trust until the child reached age 21. John Jacob Astor VI graduated from St. George's School in Newport, Rhode Island and grew up to become a millionaire playboy much like his father. In the early 1940s, Astor VI (left photo) owned over 400 acres of land originally included in the Lord Stirling estate (presently part of the Somerset County Environmental Center and Lord Stirling Stables). The family built a barn and raised dairy cattle on the farm. In 1950, the 38 year-old Astor VI (aka Jakey ) purchased a twenty-room English Tudor manor house originally built in 1912 by Samuel Owen, a pharmaceutical magnate. The entire area was once an apple and peach orchard farm named Cedar Hill. There was much speculation why Astor returned to the Somerset Hills. Some people felt the move was because he was ousted from many social registers (NY Times, 1954) and needed a quiet retreat. While others rumored it was his association with socialite Brooke Astor (married to his half-brother William Vincent Astor), who had been previously wedded to John Dryden Kuser, a wealthy resident of Bernardsville. Astor VI got divorced from his fourth wife in He seldom lived in the mansion, but employed a full staff. Vacated in 1960, the estate remained unoccupied for eight years before Bernards Township purchased the hilltop house and 28 acres for $140,000 in Today, it serves as Town Hall (mural at right by Oak Street School Students, 2010). John Jacob Astor VI died in Miami Beach, Florida in 1992 at the age of 79 and is interred with his family in the Trinity Church Cemetery. (Information provided by Trustees Brooks Betz and June Kennedy)

INSIDE THE BRICK ACADEMY PAGE 3 Brick Academy Open House Charter Day - May 19 Bernards Township s Charter Day Festival will be held on Saturday, May 19 to commemorate the 252nd anniversary of the

3 INSIDE THE BRICK ACADEMY PAGE 3 Brick Academy Open House Charter Day - May 19 Bernards Township s Charter Day Festival will be held on Saturday, May 19 to commemorate the 252nd anniversary of the granting of a Charter by King George II of England, establishing Bernardston Township. This act was in appreciation for the services of Sir Francis Bernard, the son of a British Reverend. Bernard served as Royal Governor of New Jersey from January 27, 1758 to July 4, The Town Crier will conduct the Charter Day opening ceremony in the center of Basking Ridge at 11 AM. In celebration, the Brick Academy will be open from 11 am to 5 pm. Highlights of the museum include a timeline of the historic 1809 building; Bernards Township 250th anniversary quilt; 1752 Whitaker Deed, Indian Arrowheads; and current exhibits: Head to Toe: Victorian Fashions, Kitchen Help: 19th C. Household Items, Historical Politicians of the Somerset Hills, and The George Washington Bicentennial Celebration. There will also be a special exhibit of Bernards Township history. The building s top floor, restored to an 1890s schoolroom, includes period furniture, an authentic pot belly stove, and hands-on craft making for young visitors. The Brick Academy is located at 15 West Oak Street in the center of Basking Ridge. RETIRING TRUSTEES The Board of Trustees extends its sincere gratitude to retiring trustees Ken Salvo and Don Lorenz for their many years of dedicated service and leadership for The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills. Ken is a long-standing THSSH member, has served as a Trustee since 2004, and was a founding member of the Society s Historic Preservation Committee. Don, who retired from the Board after more than ten years of service, is a long-standing THSSH member as well and most recently served on the Society s Museum Committee providing expertise on the Lord Stirling Manor archeological project and Indian arrowheads. Best wishes to Ken and Don for continued success in all that they pursue in the future. Message from Trustee Paula Axt Tell Us Your Old Stories & Memories of Basking Ridge... The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills is inviting you to share your old stories, tales or recollections of Basking Ridge from as early as 1850 through The reason for the tales is to add further interest to the local walking tour that the Historical Society sponsors twice per year. I have been giving the tour, and feel that the walk is far more interesting when real life stories are interjected along with the historical facts about the buildings in the center of town. The tales of the residents before us make the town s rich history come alive. If you know anyone, or have friends, family members or neighbors that know of any stories, facts or simply remember what the Basking Ridge was like before Routes 287 and 78, or the former AT&T office complex, please contact me. They do not have to be stories, they can be events or things that happened around town. These stories can be tales told from neighbors, friends and family, or something that happened, or simply what the town was like then. It could even be someone telling me about the Kiwanis fairs back in the 1950 s. Perhaps you could mention that their stories or events may be what I talk about on the next historic walking tour scheduled for Sunday, June 10. I would love to speak to you over the phone, , or share a cup of coffee with you. Please call me at or me at brick1809@gmail.com. Look forward to hearing from you!

INSIDE THE BRICK ACADEMY PAGE 4 Peapack & Gladstone Centennial The borough launched its 100th anniversary celebration in January with a program by John C.

The lecture and slide presentation covered The History of Peapack from the days it was occupied by Native Americans through its incorporation in 1912.

4 INSIDE THE BRICK ACADEMY PAGE 4 Peapack & Gladstone Centennial The borough launched its 100th anniversary celebration in January with a program by John C. Smith, chairman of the Historic Preservation Committee. The lecture and slide presentation covered The History of Peapack from the days it was occupied by Native Americans through its incorporation in Excerpts from The Bernardsville News article posted on 1/20/12 include: - Indians lived here for almost 10,000 years before the settlers came. They were friendly and unfortunately taken advantage of by the white men. Lamington, Peapack, Raritan, and Watchung are all Indian names. - In 1676, the Quintipartite Deed divided East Jersey from West Jersey. The line, called the Keith Line, after the surveyor, ran from Egg Harbor on the coast to the Delaware Water Gap. - In 1682, East Jersey was divided into four counties Bergen, Essex, Middlesex, and Monmouth. Then in 1688 the western part of Middlesex became Somerset County, named after Somerset County in England. - The first land purchases in Bedminster started as early as 1690, with settlers coming from Germany, Holland, England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. Most Indian tribes started to move westward and north into New York State due to white man s diseases and general overcrowding. By 1750 to 1775 most of the Indians left while a few blended with the colonists. - In 1693, Somerset County was largely unsettled and considered one territory. It was then drawn into precincts western, eastern and northern. The northern precinct became Bedminster. Bernards and Bridgewater townships were the other two. - In 1701, a grant known as the Peapack Patent transferred lands from the 24 proprietors of East Jersey to George Willocks and John Johnson. The patent basically covered the lands of Bedminster, including Peapack & Gladstone as we know it today. Any Indian claims were terminated by agreements with three Lenape Indians of the Raritan group. - Peapack (6 sq. miles) was part of Bedminster (33 sq. miles) when Bedminster incorporated in 1749 by a charter granted in the name of King George II. It remained so until 1912 when it chose to secede from the township and incorporate as a twin borough, Peapack & Gladstone. Peapack residents did not like paying high taxes for the Bedminster rural roads that did not serve them. - The first settlers were primarily farmers who bought large tracts of land from the Indians or from Willocks or Johnson. Farmrelated businesses started such as blacksmith shops, grist mills, saw mills, tanneries, wheelwright shops, limestone kilns, set kilns, and stores. By 1750 the Lawrence Mill existed and in 1756 one acre of good land cost $ The name Peapack has many explanations: Peapack Path was the name of an Indian thoroughfare that ran east and west through northern New Jersey, crossing the North Branch of the Raritan River; Peapacton was the Indian word for marriage of the waters where the Raritan and Peapack Brook met; and some also say that Peapack is the Indian name for Smith. - By 1808 the village contained four houses, the Jerolaman Mill which was formerly the Lawrence Mill, and the Van Doren Mill. - By 1880 there was a hotel, 2 grist mills, a post office, 2 churches, 4 stores, 3 blacksmiths, 3 wheelwrights, a distillery, 6 perpetual lime kilns, and 9 set kilns. The industrial development brought railroads, electricity, telephones, and more as the town grew (early postcard at right). - The need to incorporate became increasingly obvious as funds were required for community services such as electric wiring, water hydrants and reservoirs, telephone lines, a constable, and road building. - On March 4, 1912, Assemblyman A.L. Anderson introduced to the NJ Legislature Bill 483 calling for the incorporation of the Borough of Peapack & Gladstone. It was approved and signed by Governor Woodrow Wilson.

5 INSIDE THE BRICK ACADEMY PAGE 5 DAYS OF AMERICAN HISTORY - MAY & JUNE May The world s tallest skyscraper, the Empire State Building, opens The first American astronaut, Alan Shepard Jr., travels 115 miles into space aboard the Mercury capsule Freedom President Franklin Delano Roosevelt creates the WPA (Works Project Administration), putting the nation back to work A German submarine fires without warning on British liner Lusitania which sinks off the coast of Ireland, with 128 Americans among 1198 killed. Mary Stevens Fenwick, mother of US Congresswoman Millicent Fenwick was a casualty Celebrations across America and Europe mark V-E Day, the end of the war in Europe President Woodrow Wilson proclaims the first Mother s Day, following a campaign by newspapers, clergymen, politicians, and a West Virginia woman named Ann Jarvis Congress authorizes a new 5 coin which is soon nicknamed the nickel The first meeting of what would become the New York Stock Exchange is held at the Merchants Coffee House in New York City Massachusetts passes the nation s first school attendance law, children 8 to 14 required to attend Amelia Earhart becomes the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean solo. Pan American Airlines begins the first scheduled commercial service across the Atlantic with a flight from New York to Spain in 20 hours and 16 minutes Clara Barton founds the American Red Cross as a branch of the International Red Cross Charles A. Lindbergh completes his 33½ hour solo transatlantic flight aboard the Spirit of St. Louis A price war breaks out among European steamship companies competing for immigrant passengers and the price of a steerage ticket to America falls to $ What hath God wrought? exclaims Samuel F.B. Morse in the first message sent over his invention, the Telegraph. Guest Dolly Madison, widow of President James Madison, is invited to send the next message. Message from Mrs. Madison She sends her love to Mrs. Wethered General George Armstrong Custer leads his 655 man cavalry regiment out of Fort Lincoln, South Dakota toward Little Big Horn America s first daily newspaper, The Pennsylvania Evening Post, begins publication in Philadelphia The first Memorial Day is observed as General John A. Logan calls on soldiers and veterans to decorate military graves with flowers. June Emma Willard, pioneer in higher education for women, founds the Waterford Academy for Young Ladies in Waterford, NY. Later, she established the nation s first college level school for women, The Troy Female Seminary in Troy, New York All United States born Indians are granted full American citizenship The first Ford automobile is assembled in Detroit, but a road test has to be postponed because the finished car is wider than the door of the shed in which it was built The eyes of the world are upon you, General Dwight D. Eisenhower tells the troops about to cross the English channel to land on the beaches of Normandy. The way home is via Berlin A patent is awarded to Ives W. McGaffey of Chicago for his invention of a sweeping machine that operates by creating suction a vacuum cleaner Alcoholics Anonymous is founded in New York City The Continental Congress agrees to a national flag with 13 stripes and 13 white stars in a field of blue representing the new constellation Pan American Airways introduces around the world service for a fare of $1, First recorded baseball game is played in Hoboken, NJ following rules by Alexander Cartwright President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signs the G.I. Bill or as it is formally know, The Servicemen s Readjustment Act. The measure provides grants for specific purposes (e.g. housing and education) Helen Keller, blind and deaf, graduates with honors from Radcliffe College. Keller has already become a celebrity through the publication of her inspiring biography Bell Labs announces the development of the transistor as a substitute for radio tubes. (From A Book of Days in American History, by Larry Shapiro, 1987)

INSIDE THE BRICK ACADEMY PAGE 6 New Museum Exhibits Historical Politicians of the Somerset Hills Familiar names come to mind when we think of politicians from the Somerset Hills.

Jersey; Christine Todd Whitman, two-term Governor of New Jersey who was the first, and to date, only female governor; and Thomas Kean, who also served two terms as Governor of New Jersey.

6 INSIDE THE BRICK ACADEMY PAGE 6 New Museum Exhibits Historical Politicians of the Somerset Hills Familiar names come to mind when we think of politicians from the Somerset Hills. Names such as Governor Chris Christie, who had at one time considered entering the race for the Republican Presidential nomination; Malcolm Forbes, who in 1957 ran unsuccessfully for Governor of New Jersey; Christine Todd Whitman, two-term Governor of New Jersey who was the first, and to date, only female governor; and Thomas Kean, who also served two terms as Governor of New Jersey. A new exhibit at the Brick Academy Museum will feature the historical politicians of the Somerset Hills who also played important roles in government. People such as Frederick Theodore Frelinghuysen, Samuel Lewis Southard and William Lewis Dayton, to name a few. This exhibit starts in May and will grow throughout the year, ending on January 20, 2013, after the Presidential Inauguration. Please stop by often to see this expanding exhibit and learn about the historical politicians of the Somerset Hills. The George Washington Bicentennial Celebration Initially presented in February at the Bernardsville Library by the Bernardsville Historic Preservation Advisory Committee, this exhibit contains memorial plaques to honor servicemen from the Somerset Hills who died in World War One. On Monday, February 22, 1932 Bernardsville held a celebration to mark the bicentennial of George Washington. The all-day event started with an avenue of twenty trees planted on either side of the main entrance to the high school property in memory of the Bernardsville and Bernards Township boys who lost their lives in the World War. Two elm trees, with larger shield plaques, were planted at either end in front of the high school to honor George Washington and Abraham Lincoln (installed in 1933). Fifty-two local organizations and about 1,200 residents participated in the celebration. The exhibit, scheduled to be at the Brick Academy through the school year, displays eight of the original twenty memorial plaques, military metals, and newspaper articles. Welcome! The following new members have recently joined the Historical Society: Diane Cantono Basking Ridge Sarah Smyth Bloomfield Brick Academy Sign Look for events... The Historical Society thanks its sponsors. Please Patronize: Ling Ling Chinese Cuisine Lord Stirling Schools Millington Savings Bank Robert B. Decoste Landscaping Roselle Savings Bank Studio 7 Wabba Travel

5 Morristown Road, Bernardsville, NJ 07924 www.studio7artgallery.com 908.963.0365 Joseph E.

Box 369 800-633-9578 Ext. 111 Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 Fax 908-766-9443 jgorga@lordstirling.org www.

7 5 Morristown Road, Bernardsville, NJ Joseph E. Gorga Executive Director School Psychologist Lord Stirling Road Tel Ext. 111 P.O. Box Ext. 111 Basking Ridge, NJ Fax Advertising Space Available For rates and requirements... contact Florence Hallgring at The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills

P.O. Box 136 Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 908.221.1770 www.thssh.

Joseph Ryder Recording Secretary: Robin Marion Trustees: Paula Axt, Brooks Betz, John Campbell, June Campbell, David Connolly, Sylvia Gambony, Pat

8 P.O. Box 136 Basking Ridge, NJ Museum Hours: Sundays 2 to 4 PM The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills Chairman: Marcella Miccolis President: Daniel Lincoln Treasurer: Joseph Ryder Recording Secretary: Robin Marion Trustees: Paula Axt, Brooks Betz, John Campbell, June Campbell, David Connolly, Sylvia Gambony, Pat Gray, Florence Hallgring, June Kennedy, Connie Smythe, Lawrence Terricone, Martine White, and Sue Zibelli The Brick Academy 15 West Oak Street Basking Ridge, NJ For information, articles and news visit

THE BRICK ACADEMY. Inside. Holiday House Tour. Inside... Volunteers. Tickets. Sunday, December 15

THE BRICK ACADEMY. Inside. Holiday House Tour. Inside... Volunteers. Tickets. Sunday, December 15 Inside THE BRICK ACADEMY The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills September 2013 Holiday House Tour Sunday, December 15 Inside... - Museum News - Historic Preservation Grants - Amelia Earhart Speaker