Our guest speaker at Monday’s Rotary meeting was Abby O’Neill, Executive Director of Greenwood Gardens which is located on Old Short Hills Road in Short Hills, just a short ride from Summit. Two families are responsible for creating the gardens. First was the JOSEPH DAY family who purchased it from a Newark brewer in 1906. Following a devastating fire in 1911, the Day’s built a 28 room estate which was cultivated with lush annuals and perennials, and pergolas, terraces, and garden follies constructed of rough local stone (basalt) and decorated with colorful Arts & Craft tiles.
The next significant owners were Peter P. Blanchard Jr. and Dr. Adelaide Childs Frick Blanchard who purchased the 28-acre country retreat 19 1949 so they could ride horses, farm, garden, and enjoy other outdoor pursuits. The family added many new improvements and worked to insure that the property would become the Greenwood Gardens.
After Blanchard’s passing in 2000, his son began work almost immediately to stabilize the buildings and the gardens. The Garden Conservancy was also enlisted to help preserve the site and create an organization that would provide long-term oversight, in the process, endorsing Greenwood as one of 16 exceptional gardens in the country. Greenwood was formally incorporated as a non-profit organization in 2003, hence, our 20th anniversary milestone.
In 2016, the Board and staff completed a seven-year Strategic Plan that led to the redesign and renovation of the Main Axis including its two historic water features and extensive landscaping, along with a second parking lot, rain garden, and ticket kiosk.
The gardens are open to the public during the spring and summer and will reopen May 1, 2026 for the season that end on November 8,
For the enjoyment of all visitors, and to ensure a memorable experience, advance registration is strongly recommended.
Tickets are required: Members and children under 3: free; Adults (13 to 64): $15; Seniors (65+) and students with ID: $10; Children (3 to 12): $5 Visitors are urged to check out their website https://greenwoodgardens.org/ for all visitor guidelines and more information on the property’s history.
Steve Laferriere, Stephanie Murphy, Abby, David Dietze & Susan Haig