Garretson Forge and Farm facts for kids
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Peter Garretson House
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The Peter Garretson Farmhouse in Winter 2011
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 Location in Bergen County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | 4-02 River Road, Fair Lawn, New Jersey |
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| Area | 1.8 acres (0.73 ha) |
| Built | 1720 |
| MPS | Stone Houses of Bergen County TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001153 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 19, 1974 |
The Garretson Forge and Farm is a historic farm in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. The Garretson family has owned this land since 1719. It is one of the oldest historic places in Bergen County.
The main building, called the Peter Garretson House, was built in 1720. It is also known as the Garretson-Brocker Home. This important house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 19, 1974.
Contents
The Farm's Early Days
How the Garretson Family Started
The story of Garretson Forge and Farm began in the 1600s. Three people from the Netherlands, Gerrit Gerritse, his wife Annetje Hermansse, and their son Gerrit, moved to America. In 1719, Gerrit bought a very large piece of land. This land was called the Slooterdam Patent.
It was so big it included many towns that are now in Bergen and Passaic counties. Fair Lawn was one of these towns. Soon after, Gerrit's son Peter started building the farm.
Generations of Family Life
The Garretson Forge and Farm was first known as "The Garretson-Brocker home." Six different generations of the Garretson family lived here. They called it home for more than 100 years.
In its early days, the farm was a large area for growing crops. People worked hard on the farm to produce food. Over time, parts of the Garretson Forge and Farm were sold. Today, the property is a little less than 2 acres.
Changes to the Main House
Many changes were made to the farm over the years. The main house, which is now part of a living museum, was updated several times. In 1902, big changes happened to the house. A second floor was added, along with an outside porch and a new roof. These updates made the Garretson Forge and Farm look much like it does today.
Where to Find the Farm
Garretson Forge and Farm is located at 4-02 River Road in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. It is very close to the Passaic River. In the past, water from the river was used to make bricks. These bricks were used to build parts of the farm.
Native American History
Many old items from the Lenape people have been found on the property. The area around the Passaic River was once home to the Acquackanonk and Hackensack tribes. These tribes were part of the Lenape nation.
Visiting the Living Museum and Garden
Today, you can visit Garretson Forge and Farm. It has an outdoor living museum and a large garden. The museum has many historic buildings and old items to explore. You can learn about life in the past.
Inside the Historic Buildings
The main house has a rustic kitchen. This kitchen was used by the Garretson family long ago. Outside, there is an old water pump. This pump provided water until the house got running water. Other buildings on the property store farm tools for the garden.
The Farm's Garden Today
The Garretson Forge and Farm used to grow many different herbs and vegetables. The family even grew crops for sale until 1970. Now, the garden mainly grows a wide variety of herbs. It has over 50 types of herbs and spices. There is also a butterfly garden and a fruit orchard. Visitors can even help take care of the garden.
Community Involvement
Garretson Forge and Farm is important to the local community. It is more than just a museum and garden. The outdoor picnic and recreation area is used for town meetings. Guest speakers also come to share their knowledge.
Events and Volunteers
Many activities happen throughout the year. For example, there is a Dutch Christmas celebration that the community enjoys. The farm is run by volunteers from the community. They work as tour guides, gardeners, and help with other important jobs.
Learning for Students
A local elementary school often brings students to the farm for field trips. Students get a special tour of the grounds. They also take part in different activities around the farm. It's a great way for them to learn about history.
See also
