| More

Concept Future of the Jacobus Vanderveer Museum & Surrounding Property

Dutch Farm, Kitchen Gardens, and Walking Paths
all to be part of the JVH experience.

Below is a drafted new version of a concept rendition of the Jacobus Vanderveer Museum and surrounding property. While nothing has been finalized regarding the long term strategy, the drawing depicts a vision for people to visualize the JVH property as a colonial dutch farmstead, complete with orchards, fields, and walking paths.

With the landscaping plan finished; the first work to will hopefully begin in the spring of 2010. The Friends of JVH will embark on the first phase of a site landscaping plan that will be in place when the building opens to visitors as a museum. John C. Smith, President of the Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House, said "a new path system and kitchen garden are on target for 2010. We just need to wait for the ground to thaw to begin."

These basic visitor amenities are recommendations of a comprehensive Historic Landscape Report and Site Master Plan that was funded with a $75,000 grant from the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission. The report, when fully implemented, will enhance the concept of the Vanderveer site as a farmstead property representative of the 1770-1813 period of significance. “We are grateful to the SCCHC for supporting this project,” said Petrillo. “The landscape plan and site master plan will provide an essential guide for our continued efforts to preserve and interpret this important historic site.”

Once the historic plan was reviewed, there were a number of descrepencies with an overall township plan that needed to be addressed. "The new drawing brings together the township requirements with a more realistic view of what the Vanderveer House grounds could support", noted Smith. "We're really trying to be realistic given the current landscape, the historic landscape report, and the township requiremetns that gives everone what they need."

According to former JVH president Jay Petrillo, on-site parking and pathways will be created in conjunction with the Bedminster Township’s River Road Park project. In the next phase the museum will also add a privy, a hay barrack, and paths to the historic cemetery to the north of the building. Down the road, JVH will build a replica barn based upon foundations uncovered during a site archeological exploration. This facility will house space for educational programming, an archeological field school, and storage of our artifact collection.

Note: Currently only the existing Jacobus Vanderveer House and 'new kitchen wing" are the only structures on the property (2008) .

 

 

Click the image to enlarge

Below: Ariel image courtesy of Microsoft Live Search Maps - Click image to visit Live Search

Updated: February 28, 2010
Submitted: September 15, 2008

The Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House