Recycling the Past, Barnegat NJ...A journey into the fragmentary wonderland of salvaged history

Last night was the first freeze of the season,  prompting me to spend the day today cleaning, raking, seeding, and pulling out droopy tomato plants.  It seemed as if I needed the freeze to officially be ready to accept that the growing season was over.  Looking around at the fallen leaves, and remnants of growth from the warmer months, I remembered that time back in March when my little seedlings emerged residing in my basement, and stubbornly refused to grow any taller.  Now they were taller than I am, yet finished with their seasonal growing cycle.

I have been meaning to share a fun visit from September, which, although it has been only a few short months somehow feels like ages ago.  In the spirit of trying to ignore the now wintry feeling weather, I will remember back to when the weather was still warm and we were clinging to summer for a brief moment in time... 

One of my favorite rituals during the summer is visiting Recycling the Past, in Barnegat, NJ for a mind- blowing journey into the world of architectural salvage.  Located about half an hour from the New Jersey shoreline and Long Beach Island, is a place where you can step back in time, walk among all kinds of historically significant and funky items, relics that have been salvaged from the past. 

Every year, I look forward to my visit, arriving in anticipation of what I might discover this year.

Walking around feels like walking into a bit of a wonderland, as giant stone frogs, gargoyles, iron dragons, towering Romanesque columns, and old ferris wheel parts peek out at you around every corner.   Their inventory is continuously changing due to their dedication to collecting items from buildings which are fated to disappear into the depths of history.  The stories about where items came from are fascinating, as I listen to what the buildings were like, I imagine in a little fragment, a time much different from our own.

Their newest acquisitions were from the Laronda estate in Bryn Mawr, PA.  I had my eye on a fascinating little gargoyle from the building.  When I picked up this little object I had no idea of the history that was attached.  This is one of the reasons why I love this place so much!

I especially like walking through the collection of doors and mantelpieces.  Doors that are twice the size of those found in standard homes today, with beautiful and intricate ornamentation, stacked against old paned parlor doors, school doors, and stained glass windows.  As I imagine the places that these pieces came from, I feel stories everywhere.  If only these fragments of history could talk... 

Along with their collection of doors and windows, they have a great variety of sinks, and tubs!  I particularly liked this farmhouse basin sink.

Each year, mysterious items make an appearance, salvaged from old factories, churches, and homes.  They have a wonderful collection of beautiful tile as well as bricks, slate, and other architectural details to restore historic homes and gardens.  Last year there were bins and bins of turquoise blue glass, rescued from an old turn of the century glass factory.  This year, I was happy to see that some of these glowing, crystal-like jewels were still around.

The gardens are beautiful, paired with the rustic and unique items, they provide me with inspiration to take home to my own garden.

Along with the countless salvaged items, there are also cast iron pieces available for purchase.  Every year, this changes, so it is fun to see what they come up with from year to year.

On my list of items that I have collected over the years, includes a rather intimidating gargoyle that resides in my garden bed, salvaged off of a church in Philadelphia, PA, numerous iron garden stakes and frames, a Chinese painted stool used in rice fields, gorgeous ceramic tiles rescued from elaborate bathrooms, and this year....a flying pig! 

I wonder what I will find next year....

Cross Estate Gardens: Bernardsville, New Jersey

Today I stumbled upon a hidden gem, tucked away in historic Bernardsville, New Jersey.   I had passed the sign for the Cross Estate Gardens many times, on my way through Jockey Hollow Historical Park, usually on my way to a berry or apple picking adventure, or visits to other parks and gardens in the area.  Each time that I passed the sign, I was reminded of my curiosity and desire to see what this mysterious place was, but never made the turn....until today. 

 I followed the long country road though the hills and forest, eventually winding up at the estate.  The house looked as if it had been long forgotten from a different era of history, surrounded by the quiet green landscape, and old stone walls and paths.  As I approached and entered the gardens, I felt as if I was walking into a secret garden, like something out of Great Expectations.  The property somehow felt forgotten, though I could see and feel that the mark of human hands and care for the property was present.

I walked down the path and into the manicured courtyard, and made my way down the rounded stone steps.  As I opened the gate, I caught a glimpse of a formal gardens that were full of color and blooms, my heart started to race with excitement and discovery. 

The intoxicating scent of autumn clematis filled the air, while pink anemonies stood tall and proud.

As I wandered around the raised beds, along the brick paths, I came across some bright botanical blooms.  The formal garden was two tiered with stone walls and historical traces throughout.

Throughout the garden, I could feel the balance between manicured and cultivated plants and those that felt more natural and wild.  Entering each space allowed for a different type of experience and contemplation, like moving though the rooms of a house. 

The 5 story stone water tower stands like a ruin of the past, a striking reminder that the marks that we make remain, even as everything around us changes.

 I will return to this great little garden again and again now, to watch it transform and change with each season.

Morris Arboretum--Philadelphia, PA

I recently ventured out to the Morris Arboretum, located outside of Philadelphia, PA.  I had heard about the garden for years but never had a chance to visit.  Like many of the gardens that I have been to, the Morris Arboretum has a rich cultural, horticultural, and architectural history.  Originally owned and developed by John and Lydia Morris as a summer home in the late 1800's, the property became part of the University of Pennsylvania in 1932.  The gardens offer an amazing research opportunity in the history of landscape architecture and design, and the arboretum website has wonderful archives with photos and paperwork on the history of the property.

Gardens are a form of a living history, with the ability to transport us back in time.  They are constantly changing and adapting, however they show that the vision and work of human beings can leave an imprint on the landscape.

The gardens here are very well cared for, and provide the perfect balance between historical and contemporary elements. 

The rose garden offered a colorful and painterly array of perenials paired with an English country style stone wall.  The plants that were growing out of the stone wall, softened the architectural details.  

Though much of the surrounding landscape had grown in, I was surprised to learn that this wall appeared almost the same way in the early 1900's archives.  

The garden in this are felt different than other gardens that I have visited.  There was a wild element to it, yet everything was deliberately placed, and well manicured.  This was the perfect time of year to visit with everything in full bloom, providing a variety of colors and textures at every vantage point.

As I continued on, I began noticing some of the more formal stone elements.  These established a striking contrast between the more natural growth within the flower beds, and the surrounding trees and shrubs.

There were also some interesting little botanical discoveries to be found.

And something that I have never seen in a garden before...A garden railway!  Model trains, on an elaborate system of tracks, traveled about in their own little worlds, up mountains, through covered bridges, around the Eiffel Tower, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.  The movement of these little trains was mesmerizing as they traveled throughout landscape lined with Japanese Maple trees, Bleeding Hearts, and waterfalls, the sounds of railroad cars echoing from other areas of the garden.

Moving on from the little trains, I took a turn through a vine covered arch, and discovered a fountain which led me to the Pennock Flower Walk.
  

Walking up the hillside past the marble fountain and sundial, I was intrigued by what looked like an old terracotta wall nestled in a shady secluded spot.  This was once the spot of the summerhouse in the early 1900's and the area was described as the Italian Villa Garden.  There was a trickling stone fountain,  Italian style Urns, and a quiet spot to sit and gaze out at the striking view of the grounds.  This was where the landscape design truly became apparent.

 From that spot, I made my way to the swan pond, and English Park.  Surprise architectural elements could be discovered all around the expansive grounds each with its own unique character.

 Seven Arches, located at the edge of the garden, once pumped an elaborate system of water throughout the landscape.  Now, from on top of the arches, there is a striking view of the landscape, gardens, and very grown-in location where the original house once stood.

From here, as I walked back though the park, I encountered one of the many groundhogs that seem to have developed a commune on the property.  I think that this guy was suspicious of me.

I then made my way though a wooded area to the Key Fountain, and the Mercury Loggia and Grotto, both displaying a shadowy, quiet contrast to the light and open expanse of the English Park.

Finally, I made my way to the Victorian Fernery.  Built in 1899 this is the only freestanding fernery remaining in North America.  This was fascinating to learn about, as I have recently taken an interest in greenhouses and terrariums, and have been exploring the idea of caring for plants in constructed and controlled environments.  As a bonus, the building was beautifully constructed.

In addition to the historical details of the garden, there are also some fun and hidden gems to discover.

Like Giant Toads!

And a human sized Robin's nest high above in the tree canopy!