Bernardsville Library Foundation in 2018
Our 2018 Homes of Distinction fundraiser took place at two spectacular locations: the magnificent contemporary home of John and Alice Rubinstein with their extraordinary, world-class art collection—a rare opportunity to see a living museum in beautiful surroundings–and the beautifully renovated carriage house at Upton Pyne owned by Ron and Carol Davi.
Click here to see photos of our event.
If you couldn’t attend on May 20, you can still support the library by making a donation; just click the Donate button below:
Bernardsville Library Foundation in 2017
Our 2017 Homes of Distinction fundraiser took place in the U.S. Equestrian Team Stable and Carriage Barn elegantly decorated by Jeffrey B. Haines of Butlers of Far Hills. Located in Gladstone, the U.S.E.T. historic Hamilton Farm is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2017. Guests spent the afternoon socializing, shopping the silent auction and wine pull, and enjoying delicious appetizers provided by The Bernards Inn. Live jazz was performed by duo John Zweig and Rick Crane. We are very grateful to W. Barry Thomson for his research and presentation on the history of the Farm and the Brady family.
Bernardsville Library Foundation in 2016
This year’s Homes of Distinction fundraiser was a huge success! More than 220 people attended a cocktail party reception and silent auction on Sunday, May 15, at Faircourt, an exquisite Bernardsville estate once owned by the first in-laws of philanthropist Brooke Astor. The Tuscan style 30,000 square-foot villa sits on 15 acres landscaped by the son of Frederick Law Olmstead. The home was featured in the November 2015 issue of Architectural Digest. Click here to see the 2016 Faircourt Keepsake Journal.
Bernardsville Library Foundation in 2015
Homes of Distinction 2015 was held at Little Brook Farm in Bernardsville. Little Brook Farm, now the home of Monique and Gregg Seibert, has a long and charming history. Portions of the house and outbuildings date back to the 1840’s, but the property is primarily associated with the Babbott family, who lovingly developed it into a gracious country estate in the mid-1930’s.
Remembering his first sight of the property, Dr. Babbott wrote, “We stopped and gazed … at what we felt to be The Promised Land. We felt content, for Little Brook Farm had its back on Bernardsville Mountain and its toes in Pleasant Valley.”
Bernardsville Library Foundation in 2014
Homes of Distinction 2014 was held at the historic Peachcroft estate, courtesy of Anne and Sal Giordano, the current owners. Sitting high on the Bernardsville Mountain, Peachcroft is an imposing fieldstone estate completed in 1907 for J. William Clark, president of the Clark Thread Company of Newark. Originally from Scotland, the Clark family created one of the first truly multinational companies. Their prominence in society was further enhanced when William Clark, the eldest Clark son, married Marjory Blair, the eldest daughter of C. Ledyard Blair, on September 20, 1913. Their wedding at nearby Blairsden was the social event of the year and attended by more than 600 guests.
Bernardsville Library Foundation in 2013
Homes of Distinction 2013 showcased two magnificent mansions of our area whose owners allow guests the opportunity to attend a party in their homes to raise funds for the Bernardsville Public Library Foundation. The 2013 event featured two beautiful French Country Manor homes: Westover, built in 1938 and remodeled by interior designer Jeffrey B. Haines and his wife Patty in 2002, and Harmony Hollow, built in 1920 and renovated by real estate industry leader Richard L. Schlott and his wife Kim in 2007.
Bernardsville Library Foundation in 2012
Homes of Distinction 2012 offered guests the opportunity to attend an afternoon cocktail party at two of Bernardsville’s finest mansions: Kenilwood, owned by Richard and Andrea Hall, or Tall Oaks, owned by Herb and Cathy Vinnicombe. Kenilwood was built by and for George B. Post in 1902 and rebuilt in the Gothic Revival style the following year after a fire. It was lived in by the Post family for eighty years and one of its most famous later owners was Mike Tyson, world heavyweight boxing champion. Tall Oaks, a sprawling Georgian style mansion, was originally named Brick House when it was built in 1909. One of its most famous owners was Swing Era Band Leader Tommy Dorsey, who lived there from 1935 to 1944.