Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

New Jersey Historic Trust Affiliated with the Department of Community Affairs

The Clearing, Reeves-Reed Arboretum

Cultural Trust Historic Preservation Grants
Grant Award: $50,000 (2007)
Grant Recipient: Reeves-Reed Arboretum
County: Union
Municipality: Summit
The 13.3 acre property occupied by the Reeves-Reed Arboretum was historically referred to as “The Clearing.” The property was developed as a country estate by Mr. and Mrs. John Wisner of New York City beginning in 1888. The Colonial Revival House was designed by New York Architects Babb Cook & Willard.

The landscape reflects the designs of three noted American landscape architects during three periods of development. Calvert Vaux provided the first designs for the landscape in 1889; Ellen B. Shipman, one of the first women professional landscape designers, provided additional designs in 1924; and Carl F. Pilat, landscape designer for the New York City Parks Department, provided additional plans for the garden in 1925. The site includes formal and natural gardens, the Wisner House, a historic carriage house used as the education center, and new, but historically appropriate greenhouse and barn.

The grant helped fund safety and accessibility improvements to the house and grounds that are open to the public.

For more information, visit www.reeves-reedarboretum.org.


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