Garden Club R.F.D. Looks Back as They Move Forward

On June 26 (1-3 pm), Garden Club R.F.D. looks forward to the future as they celebrate their past 75 years of existence with an Open House. Organized on September 18, 1941, the Club found its permanent home in 1954 at The Little Red Schoolhouse on the corner of Middletown Lincroft and Dwight Roads. As the years went on, this corner became the “Middletown Schools Crossroads”.

Currently there is the Nut Swamp Elementary School, the Thompson Middle School and the originally named Union (one room) Schoolhouse that was built in 1842. It is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places in New Jersey and Washington, DC as The Little Red Schoolhouse. This happened in 1976, the bicentennial year for our country, because of efforts by the Monmouth County Historical Society, History Teacher Edgar Van Houten of the Thompson Middle School and members of the Garden Club R.F.D.

But how did the Union Schoolhouse become the home of the Garden Club R.F.D? Historical records tell us that the Schoolhouse was sold to the Field family in 1909 because of the need for a larger building for the children in the area. Then in 1937, it was sold again with surrounding property, to Hattie Carnegie, a famous New York dress designer. Just past the Schoolhouse, Hattie Court and Carnegie Court still exist as evidence of Hattie’s influence in the area where she maintained a mansion and gardens.

Finally, in 1954, because of a friendship between Garden Club R.F.D. club member Mary Brasch (of Brasch Farms and former principal of River Plaza School) and Hattie Carnegie, the 112-year-old building and corner property was leased to the Club for $1 a year. Hattie also granted them permission to renovate it for the club’s use. At Hattie’s death in 1961, the land was eventually deeded to the Township of Middletown with whom the club continues to have a good relationship. The Township provides much appreciated help as is necessary in the maintenance of an historic building.

Through the years that followed, the Garden Club worked to restore the building. But it has not always been easy. As there was no water in the original building, members would bring the water to be heated on a hot plate for tea. And, for a bathroom facility, Mary Brasch once again came to the rescue by donating a 104 year old outhouse from the Field/Brasch property across the street. This was used until the

early 70’s when, with the Township’s permission, the Club added the small kitchen and indoor powder room—along with running water and a heater. What luxury!

Well, 75 years have passed since Garden Club R.F.D. was created and now one of the chief questions asked by visitors is, “Why is your name Garden Club R.F.D.?” “What do those letters stand for?”

To understand the answer, you have to go back in time to 1941 when members had to choose a name for the club and you must realize that at that time, Middletown was quite a rural area with lots of farmland. And because of that, most members had the letters R.F.D. as part of their mailing address. It stood for Rural Free Delivery! This service began in the US so that mail would be delivered directly to rural farm families. The rural delivery service used a network of rural routes traveled by carriers to deliver and pick up mail to and from roadside mailboxes. Before R.F.D., individuals living in more remote homesteads had to pick up mail themselves at sometimes-distant post offices or pay private carriers for delivery. Question answered!

Join us on June 26 to learn more of our history. It continues to develop and evolve. Find out what we are all about. You just might like to join us as we move forward. We are members of the Garden Club of New Jersey and the National Garden Club. Please call June Smith at 732-671-9216 if you would like learn more about the Open House Event and/or Garden Club R.F.D.