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The Montrose Compass Another Successful Montrose In May Nearly 800 visitors from 31 New Jersey towns, 3 boroughs of Manhattan, Delaware and Massachusetts attended the 9th Annual Montrose In May on Saturday, May 17, 2003. Visitors were treated to an “insider’s look” at six historic district homes and Marshall School, the neighborhood elementary school. A vintage trolley traveled through the district and entertainment was featured in several tour homes. Amy Dahn said, "We feel that our popular house tour gets better each year and we were very excited about this year’s selection of homes. The combination of unique homes, great entertainment, and vintage trolley made it a wonderful opportunity for visitors to enjoy the historic district." In addition to six beautiful homes, Marshall School (which is celebrating its 80th year) showcased its unique children’s library with faux painted “Secret Garden” reading nook and a historical exhibit of photographs from the school district’s archives and antique school materials from the Newark Museum. The school cafetorium provided a comfortable location to enjoy a boxed lunch. Copious thanks to our homeowners who so graciously shared their homes and worked many hours to prepare for the tour: Patrick Barragan, Adriane Berg & Stuart Bochner, Lori & Eric Fabianic, Amy Gordon & Daniel Dunn, Mary & Mario Passalacqua, and Anita & Michael Warrington. Special thanks to the South Orange Maplewood Board of Education for agreeing to share Marshall School. We thank Marshall School Librarian Arlean Lambert and Shira Birnbaum for preparing the historical school exhibits. In addition, we thank Principal Angelica Allen and Custodian Tom Mantore who helped coordinate all arrangements for the school. And of course we thank the community businesses that sold tickets for the tour, as well as Savory Fine Foods who offered gourmet boxed lunches for purchase. More thanks to over 100 volunteers who staffed all of the tour venues, to our hardworking Board of Trustees, and to the Tour Committee Members. We couldn’t pull off Montrose in May without each and every person’s working commitment! Understanding the Past to Preserve the Future, South Orange Planning Board Votes to Deny Subdivision The Montrose Park Historic District Association (MPHDA) has taken a firm stand on the potential subdivision of residential properties within the historic district. The MPHDA enlisted the support of Montrose residents as well as the Coalition to Preserve South Orange who agreed that subdivisions, particularly in residential areas, would reduce the already low percentage of open space within South Orange. Amy Dahn, MPHDA president, spoke on behalf of the association at recent subdivision hearings when she said that, "If these properties are subdivided and developed, it will set a dangerous precedent for properties Village-wide as well as endanger our neighborhood streetscapes as we know them today". At the recent subdivision hearings before the South Orange Planning Board, the MPHDA was instrumental in presenting historical information about Montrose Park describing the original intent of its developers, and including copies of deeds indicating covenants and restrictions designed to maintain lot sizes and promote the building of single dwellings. Questions raised at the hearings also pointed out inconsistencies in the engineer's site plan. In addition, Historic Preservation Consultant Ulana Zakalak testified on behalf of the MPHDA and its membership. Many Villagers voiced their views as to why it is so important to preserve the history and character of Montrose Park and our other neighborhoods. Other concerns raised by residents and the Planning Board related to protection of Village history, preserving the architectural flavor of South Orange including the spacing between homes, potential over-crowding, the hazards of building close to a train line, increased drainage demands, as well as the fear of increased traffic volume. After hearing MPHDA and other residents the Planning Board denied, by a narrow margin, the application to subdivide a property in the district. The Village Trustees have now taken an active stance in regard to maintaining current lot sizes. Trustee Mark Rosner said that the potential historic district subdivisions were not the only properties in town that are large enough to subdivide. Mr. Rosner said, "We don't want to see a trend of this. The pattern has to be stopped." As such, the Trustees are moving forward with a review of current bulk lot requirements throughout the Village. The MPHDA presented a petition with 320 signatures of South Orange residents who support this review. The Village Ad Hoc Committee which is studying Historic Commissions and ordinances will provide comment during the zoning review process. South Orange Featured in Who, What, Where Magazine Montrose Park resident and MPHDA member Joanne Douds was instrumental in gaining positive coverage for South Orange in Who, What, Where Magazine which is distributed to thousands of relocation realtors and private homes. The MPHDA was involved in providing historic photographs and facts, interview contacts, and support for the article which focuses on the Village’s growth and development as a superior location for residents who are looking for the historic ambiance of 19th-century architecture and the convenience of transportation to New York. The editors selected photographs from Naoma Welk’s book, Images of America: South Orange, and permission was gained for the publication of the photographs from each owner. Please visit the South Orange Public library to see a copy of the magazine. You can also read the article on-line at www.whowhatmag.com, click on the New Jersey edition of the magazine and look for the title “South Orange” in the left-hand column. Welcoming New Neighbors to Montrose Park The MPHDA is organizing a welcoming committee to be charged with the fun task of presenting our new neighbors with a welcome gift when they move into the neighborhood. New neighbors will be presented with fresh baked goods, signature MPHDA notecards, an invitation to join the MPHDA, and informational literature about the historic district. An initial pilot of the program was warmly welcomed last year and we hope to move forward with a full-fledged “Montrose Welcome” by this fall. We are looking for volunteers who would like to be a part of this welcoming committee. The committee will be responsible for finding out who our new neighbors are, as well as packaging and delivering the gift bags. If you are interested, please call the MPHDA at 973-763-1880 or email us at info@MontroseParkSONJ.org. Spring Tour – Craftsman Farms On Saturday, April 12, 2003, more than fifty Stickley enthusiasts participated in the MPHDA sponsored tour of Craftsman Farms, located in Parsippany, NJ. Craftsman Farms was the home of the early 20th-century architect/designer Gustav Stickley. The log house, built in 1911 is recognized as one of the most significant landmarks in the American Arts and Crafts movement. Stickley, best known for “mission” or “Craftsman furniture,” combined the roles of furniture designer, manufacturer, architect, publisher, philosopher and social critic. He was a proponent of “a fine plainness” in art and the art of living. Visitors were provided with information about nearby Mt. Tabor, a small Victorian town that is located approximately five minutes from the Stickley home. Montrose In May Milestone May 2004 will be the 10th anniversary of Montrose In May, the annual house hour of homes in Montrose Park which was originally organized to raise funds to designate Montrose Park the NJ State and Federal Registers of Historic Places. Historic district designation was achieved in 1997, but since that time, the MPHDA has continued its mission to promote and preserve the historic district. Montrose in May continues to be our spotlight fundraiser. We’ve come a long way since the grass roots effort began in 1994! Plans for special events including a Gala Affair, are underway to celebrate the 10 year milestone. Volunteers are needed to help organize and plan for these activities. Funds raised from the house tour and other events next year will kick off the MPHDA’s next major project: special signature street signs for the historic district. Please contact the MPHDA at 973-763-1880 or email us at info@MontroseParkSONJ.org to volunteer. After the celebratory 2004 house tour, Montrose in May will become an every-other-year event, meaning that the next house tour will take place in 2006. Events for 2003-2004 In addition to Montrose in May and Family Fun Day and our Anniversary Gala, the MPHDA will host a lecture next Spring relating to the history, maintenance and restoration of stained glass. A graveyard tour to explore the final resting place of famous residents of the Oranges, is also tentatively scheduled. AUTUMN WALKING TOUR & FAMILY FUN DAY - more Saturday, October 18th, 2003 In conjunction with our second annual Family Fun Day, the MPHDA is offering a guided walking tour of Historic Montrose Park on Saturday October 18, 2003. Preservation Consultant Janet Foster will lead the tour. Two tours will be offered, one at 10am and 1pm. Each tour is identical and is expected to last two hours. We will explore the architecture in Montrose Park and how it relates to national styles and local vernacular. There is a suggested $10 donation if you take the historic walking tour. Each tour is limited to 20 people so please sign up early via email info@MontroseParkSONJ.org or leave a message on our phone line 973-763-1880. Please tell us your name, phone number and whether you prefer the 10am or 1pm tour. You will receive a confirmation via phone or email. Family Fun day activities are FREE and are scheduled from 11am to 3pm. Activities include traditional children's games, face painting, arts & crafts, a visit from the fire department and more...click here to see the Family Fun Day flyer. Bring a picnic lunch for your family & a dessert to share...we'll provide the apple cider and lemonade. We can always use volunteers to help with set-up, activities, and clean-up; let us know if you can help! Archived newsletters: |