Stickley Museum Day Trip

A number of VanWyckBrooks district members went on a field trip to The Stickley Museum on June 5, 2010 and had a great time! This 30-acre site in Morris County, a National Historic Landmark, was designed by Gustav Stickley, the leader of the Arts and Crafts movement in the US. Stickley purchased the property in 1908 and envisioned creating a self-sufficient compound for the training of young men in farming and furniture manufacture. The 1911 main house, The Log House, was designed by Stickley and constructed with material from the site. More info is at www.stickleymuseum.org.

VWB Historic District supports the Plainfield Rescue Squad!

In this economic climate, and with the loss last year of Muhlenberg Hospital, the Plainfield Rescue Squad has been truly struggling to stay afloat. The Rescue Squad's ability to maintain staffing levels - not to mention their vehicles - will determine how quickly they can respond in an emergency. And a timely response can be the difference between life or death for city residents.

With this in mind, the Van Wyck Brooks Historic District has donated $3,000 to the Rescue Squad. District officers donated the check in person on May 3, 2010. (Pictured, from left, are Secretary Jan Jasper, Treasurer Clarence McGhie, and President Lamont Blowe presenting the check to Jenny Purnell, Director of the Rescue Squad.)

We urge all Plainfielders to support the Rescue Squad by donating whatever you can afford. Your life - or that of someone you love - could depend on it.

Donations can be mailed to the Plainfield Rescue Squad, 700 W. Seventh St., Plainfield, or P.O. Box 707, Plainfield. You may also drop off donations at The Pillars Bed and Breakfast. Or you can donate through Paypal at www.paypal.com. The ID is plainfieldrescuesquad@yahoo.com. Go to "Send Money,'' enter the amount, click "Personal,'' then "gift'' and send.

Plainfield Garden Club's "Shakespeare-in-Bloom" postponed

News Flash: Unfortunately, this wonderful event has been postponed. Check the Garden Club's website to learn when it will be rescheduled.
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The Plainfield Garden Club will be hosting their traditional celebration of The Shakespeare Garden called "Shakespeare-in-Bloom" on Saturday, June 5, 2010.

Festivities run from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM. Events that day include the installation of hundreds of plants newly purchased for the garden with grants from The Plainfield Foundation and The Garden Club of America New Jersey Committee. Tours will be given through the 1927 garden which features mostly plants mentioned in Shakespeare's works. Also featured will be the new pergola built by the Union County Parks Department.

Cedar Brook Park and The Shakespeare Garden was designed by the Olmsted Brothers Landscape Architectural firm and currently is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

"Plainfield - Lost But Not Forgotten " is now a book - buy it at the Library!

The Plainfield Public Library has just published a new book of historical photographs titled "Plainfield - Lost But Not Forgotten." The book was developed at the behest of an enthusiastic public who saw the photo exhibit at the library in the summer and fall of 2009. The online version of the exhibit may be viewed through the Library's website.

Copies of the book are available at the Plainfield Public Library. The softcover edition costs $20; the hardcover edition is $30.

Larry's Gingerbread Houses gain fame!

Click on the title to see Larry's gingerbread houses featured on Martha Stewart's web site!

2009 House Tour a Huge Success!

An Old-Fashioned Christmas House Tour, held Sunday December 6, drew over 600 people to our historic district. People came from as far away as Pennsylvania to tour 7 of our lovely historic homes, all bedecked in Christmas cheer.

The tour committee's months of preparation was well-rewarded by the 'oooh's and 'aaah's of the tour-goers. The event was so well-attended that some people had to wait in line in the chilly weather to get inside the houses - but they told us it was well worth the wait!

We thank the tour committee, the homeowners who generously opened their homes, and Jeff Weber at The Courier News for doing a nice story the week before the tour.

The tour featured a "Twelve Days of Christmas" treasure hunt in which contestants vied for prices. The prize winners are as follows:

Christine Pena of Union won a night at The Pillars Bed and Breakfast, Plainfield
Mike Farone of Raritan won a $75 gift certificate from Swain Galleries, Plainfield
Elaine Badgley of New Providence won a $125 gift certificate from Suburban Jewelers, Plainfield
Donald Henry of Lancaster PA won a pair of tickets to the Plainfield Symphony
Jenna Chabuck of South Plainfield won a $125 gift certificate at the Healing Hands Spa, Plainfield
Paul Agostini of Newark won a $50 gift certificate at Parker’s Nursery, Scotch Plains
Francis Crespone of Newark won John Grady’s book on Plainfield architecture plus a $50 gift certificate for Barnes and Noble Booksellers
Pamela Gallo of Warren won dinner for 2 at Freshwater’s Restaurant, Plainfield