Ward Homestead/Winchester Gardens Construction Photos

I found a bunch of pictures of the construction of Ward Homestead/Winchester Gardens on Elmwood Ave. They were in a collection held by the National Park Service at the Frederick Law Olmsted Historic Site in Brookline MA. Olmsted firm did the original landscape design. I'm not sure how much of the "farm group" on the plan was built because obviously that is all the pool now. Some are a little blurry, sorry. These were tiny pictures not more than 2x3 so they are easier to view on a computer than in person. The wouldn't let me touch anything!

http://www.chsorgan.org/ward/wardhomestead.html

-John

I use to sneak in there and pick fruit from the orchards at least 20 years ago. They since have been removed and more housing built soon it will look like NYC everywhere.

I had heard that the Ward Homestead formally was a parklike place with rare trees, gardens and a small herd of deer before it was torn apart, plowed under and became Winchester Gardens. Hopefully, there are some pictures of it in some archive- thanks!

My grandfather, a forms carpenter by trade told me this was the first construction project he worked on after emigrating here from Ireland.

As I remember, he told me the foundations were dug with teams of horses.

Years later, I frequently had the opportunity to walk through the basement and marvel at how massive the underpinnings of the stucture were.

You couldn't build something like that today, even if you were able to print your own money.

Posted By: softparadeAugust 26th 2008 1:28:19 PMpermalinkquoteReport PostI had heard that the Ward Homestead formally was a parklike place with rare trees, gardens and a small herd of deer before it was torn apart, plowed under and became Winchester Gardens. Hopefully, there are some pictures of it in some archive- thanks!

Ward Homestead began as a home for old gentlemen who had fallen on hard times during the depression. It probably was hard to sustain such a grand structure (which fortunately still stands today) and the admission of women sometime in the '60s (I think) helped to keep it going.

When Maplewood was looking for a site for the community pool, it was the town's good fortune that the homestead agreed to sell some 7 acres - our present community pool - also beautifully landscaped.

If you ever have the opportunity to attend an event or visit someone living there, I believe you will find that Winchester, while having to remove some beautiful landscaping in order to build, has restored many beautiful plantings.

I would say that Winchester is probably the most attractive senior community in northern New Jersey.

They pay the most property tax of anyone in Maplewood too... and use none of the schools and little town services. Remember that too!

-John

I used to work there in the mid 80's - the place is stunningly beautiful and what mtierney says is correct. There used to be a golf course there as well. Inside is even prettier than outside. I have many fond memories of that place.