Use Cell For New Self-Paced Audio Tours Of Van Vleck

Interested in visiting Van Vleck House & Gardens? Now you can enjoy your visit via a narrated, self-guided audio tour of the historic property.

Indeed, visitors can now use their personal cell phones to experience the property from 10 locations dotted across 5.8 acres. The tour, which is self-paced, is narrated by friends of the late Howard Van Vleck, as well as past and present members of the Van Vleck House & Gardens Board of Management. 

Jerry Raymond, a Van Vleck board member and chair of the project, said: “People come to Van Vleck for many reasons, among which are peace and quiet, curiosity and horticultural interest. Some come for our educational programs; others for music or art. Almost all visitors—even those who have been here several times—wonder ‘what is this place?’ This self-guided tour will provide some of the answers and make the experience of visiting more meaningful.”

In addition, there also is a children's version of the tour for younger visitors to enjoy.

A donation from Datamation Systems provided the funding for creating the Van Vleck House & Gardens Cell Phone Tour and related signage and will keep the program running for two years. The script was written by Van Vleck volunteer Pegi Adams, with help from Barbara Meyer, Bill Treene, Rima North, Miggsie Tribble and staff members Jonne McCarron, Michelle Weissner, Laura Roberts, and Ellen LaBarbera. Technical implementation was by Dag Gonzalez of Datamation Systems.

Van Vleck House & Gardens is located at 21 Van Vleck Street in Montclair. The gardens are public and open from dawn to dusk, free of charge, 365 days a year. The house is a center for non-profit groups and is available to them for meetings, retreats, and fundraisers. Visitors are welcome to enjoy all the garden spaces and encouraged to join us for classes, concerts, and special events. For more information call (973) 744-4752 or go to www.vanvleck.org.