Thankful

This year, the Passaic River Coalition Staff is especially thankful for . . .

Our new home at Willow Hall and all the people who made saving the house possible.

A working furnace.

The Garden State Preservation Trust Fund, the New Jersey Historic Preservation Trust Fund, the Morris County Preservation Trust Fund and the Passaic County Preservation Trust Fund. Without their help, so much of our work wouldn't be possible.

All of our marvelous volunteers, you know who you are!

And, our faithful members whose financial support keeps us going from day to day.

Fall at Willow Hall

Here's one last fall photo to enjoy before winter officially arrives.

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Help the Passaic River Coalition win $25,000 from Chase through their Community Giving competition. If you use facebook, use the link below to vote for the Passaic River Coalition and then tell all your friends!



Thanks for your help!

An avid collector

One of the newest additions to the Passaic River Coalition library is An Histology of American Gunsmiths, Arms Manufacturers and Patentees With Detailed Description of Their Arms by Stephen Van Rensselaer, a prior owner of Willow Hall. The book was published posthumously in 1947, and according to the introduction, was the result of a lifetime of purposeful and meticulous collecting.

One feature we found interesting about this book is its reference to Miss Pauline C. Stradtman, his personal secretary, in the acknowledgments. We know of her as Aunt Paulie through her nephew Fred Stradtman, Willow Hall's previous owner.

Stephen Van Rensselaer

Today we learned some new facts about Stephen Van Rensselaer, a previous owner of Willow Hall though he was not related to George Vail. The following is an article from the New York Times, published on September 9, 1916, and was found by a local historian and volunteer.

ROMANCE IN ANTIQUE SHOP
Mrs. Minnie B. Curtis, a member of an old New England family, and a collector of antiques, and Stephen Van Rensselaer, who comes from a well-known Knickerbocker family, have returned to town from their honeymoon after a quiet wedding last Saturday in Essex, Conn. Many of their friends did not learn of their marriage until yesterday.

Mrs. Curtis has an antique store in East Thirty-fourth Street. About six months ago Mr. Van Rensselar, who collects firearms, both ancient and modern, joined with her at the store. They had known each other for about five years. Now they are going to branch out, and will shortly open a store in the Fifties.

This is Mr. Van Rensselaer's second marriage. In 1905 he was married to Miss Marion Farlin of West Orange, NJ who obtained a divorce from him in 1912. He was one of Colonel Roosevelt's Rough Riders in the Spanish American war, and later a Wall Street broker, but for the last seven years he has devoted himself entirely to his hobby.

PS- Happy Veterans Day! Thanks to all the men and women who serve and have served our country!

Brrrrrr . . . it's cold in here!

Seriously. The furnace is broken.

Fortunately, Gold Medal Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, & Electric has come to the rescue.

But now we really need help paying some of our bills as Environmental Specialist Allyson demonstrates in the photo below. Any donation you can make would be greatly appreciated!


Your donation is tax-deductible and will make you a member of the Passaic River Coalition - you'll receive our bi-annual newsletter and an invitation to an annual event. You can donate electronically using the blue donate button on this page or mail a donation to:
Passaic River Coalition
330 Speedwell Ave
Morristown, NJ 07960
(Please make checks out to the Passaic River Coalition)
Thanks for your help!

Results!

Thanks to everyone who helped us pass this year's Green Acres bond act by voting yes!