Page 10 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • January 18, 2012 Area Skylands, the New Jersey State Botanical Garden in Ringwood, is a unique botanical and architectural gem, a former country estate featuring elegantly landscaped grounds, historic buildings, and a vast collection of unusual plant species from around the world. What many people do not know is that Skylands is also home to New Jersey’s only State Botanical Garden. Head Landscape Designer Rich Flynn will present “Landscape Design at Skylands: A Historical Perspective” on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 10 a.m. in the Carriage House at the New Jersey State Botanical Garden in Ringwood. All are welcome; a $3 donation is requested. In 1922, Clarence McKenzie Lewis, an investment banker and trustee of the New Historic landscape design presentation coming to NJBG York Botanical Garden, purchased the property from the estate of Francis Lynde Stetson, who founded Skylands in 1891. Over the next 30 years, Lewis built the existing Tudor-style 45-room Manor House and transformed Skylands into a botanical showplace. Italian landscape designer Ferruccio Vitale (1875-1933), who developed his reputation through important civic commissions such as the National Mall and the National Gallery of Art, created the country-estate landscape of Skylands. Most of the trees now framing the house were planted by Lewis and his crew of over 60 gardeners (in peak seasons), including the magnificent copper beeches. Wanting to appeal to all of the senses, Lewis stressed symmetry, color, Magnolia Walk is unusual for its large number of sweet bay magnolias this far north (it is a Southern species). These two photos show the Walk when it was first planted, and the same area today. This and other features of the prestigious historic landscape design at Skylands are the subject of a presentation by Head Landscape Designer Rich Flynn on Saturday, January 21, 2012 at NJBG, the New Jersey State Botanical Garden in Ringwood. For more information, please visit www.njbg.org. Photos courtesy of NJBG. texture, form and fragrance in his gardens. The NJBG, located on the central 96 acres of this 1,100-acre former country estate, is a distinctive botanic and architectural destination in its own right. Purchased in 1966 as New Jersey’s first Green Acres acquisition, NJBG features elegantly landscaped grounds containing many of the original garden designs, historic buildings, extensive statuary and vast collection of plants. The centerpiece of the property is Skylands Manor, a Tudor Revival mansion constructed in the early 20th century by renowned architect John Russell Pope. Pope also designed many outstanding private residences and public buildings, including the Jefferson Memorial and National Gallery of Art, both in Washington, D.C. Other distinguished contributors to Skylands included decorative metal designer and craftsman Samuel Yellin (1885-1940), who led the American revival of the use of iron as decorative art. Yellin fashioned the lanterns, electrical fixtures, lamps, spiral staircase rail, and gate of the Manor House. Since 1976, The NJBG/Skylands Association, an incorporated, member-supported non-profit organization of volunteers, has worked with the state to preserve and protect NJBG/Skylands and its historic structures. The New Jersey State Botanical Garden at Skylands, which appears on both the state and national registers of historic places, is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day in winter; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. the rest of the year. Admission to the garden is always free, with a small state parking charge on summer weekends only. NJBG/Skylands is located off Morris Road in Ringwood. For an event schedule, membership brochure, directions, or more information, call (973) 962-9534 or visit www.njbg.org.