Hard to believe it has been 50 years since we landed and walked on the moon!!  Those were some exciting days: Everyone was glued to their TVs and radios following that Lunar Journey!!  There have been a lot of Lunar Anniversary Activities these past weeks celebrating that great event all over the world!  NOTE: The N.Y. Historical Society has a special display of lunar photos from Lewis Morris Rutherfurd on display, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of our landing on the moon!!  WELL, I would like to inform you about an ‘Inside Warren’ connection to all the celebrations!!  A celebration right in your very back yard!!!  WHERE?? WHAT??  The answer to where is Rutherfurd Hall!!  The answer to what is original lunar photos by Lewis Morris Rutherfurd along with other interesting artifacts celebrating this famous man’s life!!!  Including your Photo of The Week!!

Story behind Photo of the Week:  Tuesday, July 23, I had just returned from a quick photo visit to Rutherfurd Hall.  I’m putting on the finishing touches to my annual photo slide show that I will be presenting next Wednesday at Mountain Villa School, Allamuchy Township, for their Summer Camp Programs.

Every year, my slide shows and nature walks focus on Wildlife & Nature, however, I learned that the camps have also been learning about and celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Lunar Landing!! 

Lewis Morris Rutherfurd (1816-1892) was a world famous Astro-photographer & Scientist known for his lunar photos!! He was also Father to Winthrop C. Rutherfurd who built Rutherfurd Hall ca 1904 AND we have some of his original Lunar Photos (1865) on display at Rutherfurd Hall!!  My game plan, incorporate some lunar photos into my slide presentation and incorporate a quick tour of Rutherfurd Hall showing our collections of lunar photos before going outside and finishing with some Nature Walks!! 

One of my favorite places!!  My first recollection of the site was back about 2002, turning into Villa Madonna’s long driveway, driving through fancy brick portals and approaching the old mansion and its attached three story brick building.  Back then, you did not have a clear view of the site from CR 517, the view being blocked by trees.  This was a bit of an adventure, all I knew about the site, it was the home of the Sisters of Divine Charity.  A pretty impressive view approaching the buildings!!  I’m thinking I will get some nice photos roaming around.  That was not going to happen!!  I was greeted by the caretaker, who asked what I was doing there, then after taking my info, he advised me to check back in couple of days after he checked with the Mother Superior if taking photos would be alright.  Long story short, I did check back and was given permission to visit the site and take photos, it was also the beginning of a long friendship with Roy, the caretaker.  Over the years, witnessed Villa Madonna’s transformation into Rutherfurd Hall after being purchased by the Allamuchy Township Board of Education.  That transformation story, created many wonderful friendships for myself, developed into wonderful opportunities for our young students attending the new Mountain Villa School AND created a dynamic Cultural, Education and Historical site, Rutherfurd Hall, for all to enjoy within the beautiful setting of Allamuchy Mountain State Park.  Note:  Allamuchy Mountain State Park was purchased from the Rutherfurd and Stuyvesant Estates.  Stop by Rutherfurd Hall, Wednesdays, we are open for hourly scheduled tours 1-3 p.m.; I am a docent there and would be more than happy to show you around!!

From the Rutherfurd Hall website, http://rutherfurdhall.org/. Accessed July 2019:

“HISTORY:  Rutherfurd Hall, both a National and New Jersey State Historic Landmark, was designed between 1903-1905 by famed New York architect Whitney Warren. (Warren’s firm, Warren and Wetmore, shortly thereafter won a competition to design Grand Central Terminal in New York City.) Warren’s work resulted in a 18,000 square foot Tudor style summer home for his clients, recently married Winthrop (1862-1944) and Alice (Morton) Rutherfurd (1879-1917). The original landscape design was created by the Olmsted Brothers, sons of Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed Central Park in NYC and Branch Brook Park in Newark, NJ.  The presence of the Rutherfurd family in this area of New Jersey dates back to the mid-eighteenth century with the marriage of Walter Rutherfurd to Catherine Alexander Parker. Since that time the estate has passed generationally from father to  children. The land holdings of the Rutherfurd family were greatly expanded around the turn of the 20th century by both Winthrop and his older brother, Rutherfurd Stuyvesant. By 1906 Winthrop’s Allamuchy Farms and Rutherfurd Stuyvesant’s Tranquillity Farms encompassed more than 6,000 acres in both Sussex and Warren counties. Guests to the estates have included titans of industry, a U.S. President, a former Vice President and European royalty. Through ongoing preservation and conservation at Rutherfurd Hall we have the means to tell many meaningful historical stories about citizens of New Jersey and their associates in the first half of the 20th century.”

TODAY:  “Located in scenic Warren County NJ, Rutherfurd Hall provides a breathtaking backdrop for Cultural Events and Festivals, Weddings and Special Events. Built in 1904, Rutherfurd Hall is a Tudor style Country Home offering a gracious experience in an elegant setting. Ideal for any event, large or small, Rutherfurd Hall can host your group, from an intimate gathering of 50 to a large party of 200. Rutherfurd Hall is a cultural center and a museum owned and managed by the Allamuchy Township Board of Education. Rutherfurd Hall provides educational and enrichment opportunities for the residents of Allamuchy and the surrounding communities.”

Enjoy Your Open Space

Charlie Fineran

Director Open Space
Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission – Chairman
Allamuchy Historical Society – President