Premiere of Exhibit on the History of the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood

Sunday Feb. 26 1-4 p.m. Opening of the Exhibit: 
After “The Hickories,” Roosevelt Park 

The tale of how young Teddy Roosevelt loved to roam his uncle Cornelius’ wooded Maplewood estate observing nature has often been told, but not the story of what happened decades later, after the property had been sold and “The Hickories” had burned. Two sharp real estate developers, William H. Curtiss, followed by T.B. Ackerson saw the promise of this gently hilly tract snug in the foothills of Orange Mountain. They divided the land into lots and constructed homes in a variety of styles, but took care to retain the estate’s winding roads and old trees and built stone entrances to mirror the original main gates. As a result Roosevelt Park still bears the charm and feel of its earlier life. This exhibit traces the story of the transformation of this neighborhood from its life as 18th century farms through its years as a country estate and to its new form today as an early 20th c. suburban development. 

The Durand-Hedden House and Garden Association is an all volunteer organization dedicated to telling the story of the history and development of Maplewood and the surrounding area in new and engaging ways. The House and surrounding Grasmere Park were designated a Maplewood Historic Landmark in 2006. 
For more information, call 973-763-7712. The Durand-Hedden House is located at 523 Ridgewood Road in Maplewood.