S
OUTSIDE STORY
ome of the visitors who
come to 21 Van Vleck St.
have an interest in the
house’s architecture and
history. But many of the
visitors pass through the
gates of Van Vleck simply to take in
the famous gardens. “It’s serene, but
also very vibrant and active,” says
Administrative Officer Kevan
Wisniewski. “There’s a wonderful
energy in the garden, and something
different every time you come.”
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MONTCLAIR MAGAZINE MAY 2016
Starting with Joseph Sr., the
Van Vlecks were known for their
enthusiasm for gardening and
horticulture, and took a direct
involvement in the planning and
execution of the gardens. In particular,
it was Joseph Jr.’s son, Howard, who
brought the gardens to new heights,
according to Chuck Fischer. “He just
had a pure passion for gardening, and
for botany,” he says. The family often
invited neighbors and friends over to
visit and enjoy the setting. Three of
the property’s rhododendron hybrids
were recognized by Britain’s Royal
Horticultural Society in the 1990s.
In 2007, the Van Vleck staff
embarked on a $2 million capital
campaign to improve the grounds and
add new plantings. Now visitors may
explore summer and winter gardens,
including a butterfly garden and an
“edible garden,” and the carriage
house has been turned into an education center for visitors. “For a relatively small facility, we have a wide
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