I was able to get this photo just before the sky opened up. I have been fascinated by this structure since I moved into the area and decided to catch up on a little bit of history about it.

Originally called Rutherfurd Hall, it has National and NJ State Historic Landmark Designation. Famed architect Whitney Warren designed the 18,000 square foot Tudor country home in Allamuchy, NJ in 1902. Warren also designed Grand Central Station in New York City as Warren and Wetmore Architects (1903-1911).

Rutherfurd Hall, known by the family as the 'Big House,' was designed for Winthrop Rutherfurd (1862-1944) who was the son of Lewis Morris Rutherfurd (1816-1892) and Margaret Chanler Stuyvesant (?-1890) a descendant of Peter Gerard Stuyvesant. The Rutherfurd family land grant was made by the King of England in the early 1700s. Since early US history, the family has had a positive impact on this region.

Many important people, including President of the United States Franklin Delano Roosevelt , were 'entertained' in this remote landscape, a sanctuary out of the urban area.

When I first moved into the area it was used as a home for nuns and it was called Villa Madona.

A 1950s addition to the mansion by the nuns (also known as the infirmary - not shown) has no historic significance. It was renovated in order to make a grade school called the Mountain Villa School. This project was completed using sustainable and green school design practices.

The school opened in the spring of 2010, and the historic mansion, located behind the school building, is currently open to the public for tours and educational seminars.

I want to find out more information because I would love the see the inside!!

Please view larger.....