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Thursday, July 18, 2024

Notes From the Garden ~ Serving Nostalgia: A History of Tennis at Greenwood

 

 

 

Serving Nostalgia: A History of Tennis at Greenwood

 

Long before Greenwood was established as a public garden, one of the property’s earliest owners, the prosperous real-estate auctioneer, Joseph P. Day, commissioned William A. Renwick, a local artist, landscape designer, and architect, to conceive and construct a new home with extensive gardens and outbuildings to nurture and delight the lively young Day family. Among Renwick’s designs for the property that came to be called “Pleasant Days” was that of the small, stately Tennis Pavilion, used by the Day family for changing into tennis clothes and storing tennis equipment. Situated across from the 1925 and 1926 cottages, the Pavilion harmonized with the elegance of the Main House, showcasing tile and stucco exteriors, slate roofs, Renwick-inspired urns, custom-designed Rookwood tiles, and a pristine clay tennis court.

 

The Day family enjoying a game of tennis on the clay court, circa 1925

 

South of the Pavilion lay the Tennis Loggia, its curved pergola and arched gateway providing a picturesque link between the Main House and the tennis courts. The Loggia’s arched wall opening featured a charming wooden slat hand-gate, reminiscent of illustrations from a children’s nursery book, and was adorned with Rookwood tiles. The area was lushly planted with summer annuals, planters, and urns lining the steps and concrete walkways, as ivy gracefully draped the walls.

 

The Tennis Loggia, circa 1925

 

Although the original clay tennis court was transformed into the Cottage Parking Lot during the meticulous preparations for Greenwood Gardens' public opening by the late Peter P. Blanchard III and his wife, Sofia A. Blanchard, and despite the 1950s demolition of the turnaround that once separated the Loggia from the house, these architectural treasures remain as enduring symbols of the elegance and beauty of a bygone era, preserving the enchanted spirit of “Pleasant Days” for all who visit the Greenwood of today.

Image at top of page: Tennis Pavilion, current day
Images below: Tennis Pavilion and Tennis Loggia, current day

 

 


 

Horticulture and History Tour and Lunch
with Sonia Uyterhoeven, Head of Horticulture, and Stephanie Murphy, Public Engagement Manager

Wednesday, July 31 ~ 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Delve into the history of Greenwood’s plant collection and property features and gain fascinating insight into the ways in which the Day and Blanchard families made use of the property. Finish this one-and-a-half-hour tour with a boxed lunch on the terrace and further discussion. Price includes lunch. Lunch options will be emailed to you once you register.

$35 members; $45 non-members 

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Tour of the Historic Main House

Wednesday, August 7 ~ 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
With Stephanie Murphy, Public Engagement Manager 

Learn about the Blanchard family — Peter, Jr., Adelaide, and their son, the late Peter P. Blanchard III, our co-founder who grew up in this 1950’s Georgian Revival home. Tour the first floor and hear delightful stories that will take you back in time and leave you with a new appreciation for this exceptional family. This tour includes an in-depth discussion of the main hallway’s Zuber wallpaper, prized for its extensive depictions of European country life.

$15 members; $20 non-members 

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Meditation Walk
Thursday, August 22 ~ 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

With Carl Klemme, Owner, Glow Yoga Center

In this session, you will learn and practice meditation and mindfulness, approaches to quieting the mind that can enhance sleep, support heart health, and provide a boost to your immune system. There will be some breathing practices and a practical exploration of the ideal posture for sitting still. We will enjoy our practice of meditation in various beautiful locations in the garden which always enhances the experience of inner stillness. Participants will be provided with take-home resources to support an ongoing practice of meditation. These sessions are perfect for those new to meditation, while more experienced practitioners are bound to learn something new as they enjoy the benefits of sitting with a group.

$15 members; $20 non-members

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Greenwood Gardens
274 Old Short Hills Road
Short Hills, NJ 07078

Phone: 973.258.4026