Rumson -- Rumson Hill

Object Details

General: The gardens on this now-vanished 220-acre estate were established in the early 1900s and appear to have survived intact until the 1950s. During that time the property was owned by Thomas N. McCarter. In 1913 a detailed plan for the formal garden was prepared by the landscape architectural firm of Brinley and Holbrook. This was a typical country estate of the period, a working farm situated on the highest point between two rivers, the Navesink and the Shrewsbury. In addition to the formal pergola garden, the garden's other main feature seems to have been a fantastic allée of buttonwood (sycamore) trees by the entrance drive. The house, located on Rumson Road, has survived, but most of the surrounding land has been sold.; Persons and firms associated with the garden include: Thomas N. McCarter (former owner, 1903-ca. 1950) and Brinley and Holbrook (landscape architects, 1913).

Place: Rumson Hill (Rumson, New Jersey); United States of America -- New Jersey -- Monmouth County -- Rumson

See more items in: The Garden Club of America collection; The Garden Club of America collection / Series 1: United States Gardens / New Jersey

Sponsor: A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.

Custodial History: The Rumson Garden Club facilitated the submission of this garden's documentation.

Collection Citation: Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.

Collection Rights: Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: [email protected].

Bibliography: Garden has been featured in James G. G. Conniff and Richard Conniff, The Energy People (n.p.: Public Service Electric and Gas, 1978).

Scope and Contents: The folders include worksheets, an abbreviated garden plan, and a photocopy of the 1913 garden design, including plant lists.

Collection Restrictions: Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: [email protected].

Related Materials: Rumson Hill related holdings consist of 2 folders (11 35 mm. and glass slides)