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Governor McGreevey signed legislation Wednesday, July 30th to distribute $11.3 million to 60 historic sites statewide. Felician College was one of four institutions in the state to receive the maximum $750,000 award." It’s the beginning of another level of growth for Felician College," said the school’s president, Sister Theresa Mary Martin, of the grant to preserve the campus century-old Iviswold, also known as "The Castle."
The Borough of Rutherford s Historic Preservation Commission would like to thank Governor McGreevey, Senator Paul Sarlo and the State of New Jersey for demonstrating their commitment to Historic Preservation by signing these two important Senate Bills here, with us today, and once again contributing to the historic legacy of "the castle"
"The Castle within the Borough of Rutherford"
A Brief History Compiled by the
Rutherford Historic Preservation Commission
This unique structure started out as a simple stone two-story house built for NY newspaperman and land developer Floyd W. Tomkins. It was the middle of the l9th Century and many people began to recognize this area's proximity to New York City and value it's retreat-like convenience. Tomkins acquired one lot of 14 acres of land within what was then known as Boiling Spring in Bergen County. Union Ave, one of the counties oldest roads, fronted this particular plot. Once their home was completed the Tomkins family took up residence on April 15th, 1869. Tompkins called his new home "Hill House". In 1871 Tomkins donated a portion of his remaining land to the Grace Church which located just a few hundred yards away from his house.
In 1887 another New Yorker, David Brinkerhoff Ivison, (president of the American Book Company) purchased the stone house and the remaining lot from Tomkins. The existing structure and it's foundation was greatly enlarged and redesigned by architect William Henry Miller. Miller modeled much of its style after the Chateau de Chaumont situated in the Loire Valley in France. The architect used uncoursed brownstone that was obtained from a local Belleville quarry. David Ivison renamed his new home "lviswold" and occupied his castle in 1889.
After Ivison's death in 1903, "the castle" was sold several times. It was renamed and reused for a variety of purposes that included a meeting place for the famous Union Club of Rutherford and a proposed headquarters for Becton Dickinson. By the 1930s the Rutherford National Bank acquired the property and eventually "the castle's" stable at the corner of Montross and Fairview became the Women's Club of Rutherford.
Then one evening in 1933, while on his girlfriend's porch, Peter Sammartino was expressing concern about the lack of educational opportunities in New Jersey. Sammartino had been terrifically enthused by his teaching experiences at Columbia University. As he gazed across the street at "the castle" he was suddenly inspired to share a dream with Sylvia Scaramelli, his future wife and partner. Together they conceived of a college with "the castle" as its heart. Nine years later and on the eve of World War II Fairleigh Dickinson Junior College held it's first classes within "the castle" walls. Ultimately Fairleigh Dickinson was to grow from its first enrolment of 153 students to the largest private university in New Jersey.
Sadly, Fairleigh Dickinson University decided to close it's hometown campus in 1994 and many Rutherfordians were fearful for "the castle's" future. Much of the town had been educated and or employed by FDU and "the castle" was a powerful icon of the Borough's rich history. It was to remain locked and unoccupied for three years until 1997 when Felician College purchased the entire 10.5-acre campus and acquired "the castle."
Presently, Felician College, New Jersey's leading Catholic-Franciscan college, is courageously undertaking a complete renovation of lviswold. As the college has studiously progressed through the preliminary stages of structural discovery, it is literally uncovering "the castle's" glorious past. Tearing down drop ceilings and false walls has revealed ornate walnut woodwork, Tiffany windows with portraits of swans and poets, Florentine cherubs and Italian marble fireplaces.
For many these treasures may only portray a time of simplistic beauty and elegance. But more importantly, and for the larger community, they further the deep appreciation of lives past and provide enduring evidence of Rutherford s rich cultural assets.
For further information on this release please contact
William Neumann, Chairman
Rutherford Historic Preservation Commission
201 939-0370 (home) or fotogbill@aol.com
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