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Coordinates: 40°42′51.29″N 74°38′12.26″W / 40.7142472°N 74.6367389°W / 40.7142472; -74.6367389
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| image = Blairsden 1.png
| image = Blairsden 1.png
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = ''View of front of house, ca. 1903''
| caption = View of front of house, ca. 1903
| map_type =
| map_type =
| map_alt =
| map_alt =
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| altitude =
| altitude =
| building_type =
| building_type =
| architectural_style = [[French Renaissance]]
| architectural_style = [[Beaux-Arts architecture|Beaux-Arts]]
| architect = [[Carrère and Hastings]]
| architect = [[Carrère and Hastings]]
| structural_system =
| structural_system =
| cost =
| cost =
| client = [[C. Ledyard Blair|Clinton Ledyard Blair]]
| client = [[C. Ledyard Blair|Clinton Ledyard Blair]]
| owner = 30 Blair PG, LLC <br> (Anthony M. Melillo) <ref name=bville3>[https://liveacclaim.co.somerset.nj.us/AcclaimWeb/Document/DocDetails?incomingTransactionItemId=iJgYtUgNMc4BozsK3Vd4l7vrqkw4lYvrlA_vfYRvaSNnUJpiipYJQXHSeD5feBVm Data on 30 Blair Drive, Peapack-Gladstone Boro 2022]</ref>
| owner = Blairsden Hall, LLC <br> (T. Eric Galloway)<ref name=bville1>{{cite news |last=Perry |first=W. Jacob |url=http://newjerseyhills.com/bernardsville_news/news/tour-request-for-blairsden-in-peapack-gladstone-ensnared-in-traffic/article_b4200bd2-1fda-11e3-8faf-001a4bcf887a.html |title=Tour request for Blairsden in Peapack-Gladstone ensnared in traffic debate |work=The Bernardsville News |date=September 20, 2013 |accessdate=2013-11-05}}</ref>
| current_tenants =
| current_tenants =
| landlord =
| landlord =
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| diameter =
| diameter =
| floor_count =
| floor_count =
| floor_area = 62,000 square feet
| floor_area = {{convert|2077|sqft|m2}}
| rooms = 38
| rooms = 38
| main_contractor =
| main_contractor =
}}
}}


'''Blairsden''' is a historic 62,000 square foot, 38-room [[mansion]] located in [[Peapack-Gladstone, New Jersey]].<ref name=starledger>{{cite news |last=DiIonno |first=Mark |url=http://blog.nj.com/njv_mark_diionno/2013/09/blairsden_mystique_soon_to_be.html |title=Blairsden estate's mystique soon to be unveiled |work=[[The Star-Ledger]] |date=September 29, 2013 |accessdate=2013-11-05}}</ref> Set high on a hilltop overlooking Ravine Lake, the mansion is part of what was originally an estate of {{convert|550|acre|m2}}.<ref name=bville2>{{cite news |last=Zavalick |first=Charlie |url=http://newjerseyhills.com/bernardsville_news/news/peapack-gladstone-ok-s-tours-of-historic-blairsden-estate/article_e32828ca-2704-11e3-b9c8-001a4bcf887a.html |title=Peapack-Gladstone OK's tours of historic Blairsden estate |work=The Bernardsville News |date=September 26, 2013 |accessdate=2013-11-05}}</ref> In addition to its 38 rooms, the mansion has 25 fireplaces and 19 bathrooms.<ref name=bville1></ref>
'''Blairsden''' is a historic {{convert|62000|sqft|m2|adj=on}}, 38-room [[mansion]] located in [[Peapack-Gladstone, New Jersey]].<ref name=starledger>{{cite news |last=DiIonno |first=Mark |url=http://blog.nj.com/njv_mark_diionno/2013/09/blairsden_mystique_soon_to_be.html |title=Blairsden estate's mystique soon to be unveiled |work=[[The Star-Ledger]] |date=September 29, 2013 |accessdate=2013-11-05}}</ref> Set high on a hilltop overlooking Ravine Lake, the mansion is part of what was originally an estate of {{convert|550|acre|m2}}.<ref name=bville2>{{cite news |last=Zavalick |first=Charlie |url=http://newjerseyhills.com/bernardsville_news/news/peapack-gladstone-ok-s-tours-of-historic-blairsden-estate/article_e32828ca-2704-11e3-b9c8-001a4bcf887a.html |title=Peapack-Gladstone OK's tours of historic Blairsden estate |work=The Bernardsville News |date=September 26, 2013 |accessdate=2013-11-05}}</ref> In addition to its 38 rooms, the mansion has 25 fireplaces and 19 bathrooms.<ref name=bville1>{{cite news |last=Perry |first=W. Jacob |url=http://newjerseyhills.com/bernardsville_news/news/tour-request-for-blairsden-in-peapack-gladstone-ensnared-in-traffic/article_b4200bd2-1fda-11e3-8faf-001a4bcf887a.html |title=Tour request for Blairsden in Peapack-Gladstone ensnared in traffic debate |work=The Bernardsville News |date=September 20, 2013 |accessdate=2013-11-05}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
[[File:Blairsden 2.png|thumb|View of house past terrace gardens, ca. 1903.]][[File:American estates and gardens (1904) (14594492110).jpg|thumb|right|The home's enclosed garden in 1903]]
[[File:Blairsden 2.png|thumb|View of house past terrace gardens, ca. 1903]]
[[File:American estates and gardens (1904) (14594492110).jpg|thumb|right|The home's enclosed garden in 1903]]

Blairsden was built between 1897 and 1903 for [[C. Ledyard Blair|Clinton Ledyard Blair]] (1867–1949), an American [[Investment banking|investment banker]]. It was designed by the prominent [[List of architecture firms|architectural firm]] of [[Carrère and Hastings]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.historicalsocietyofsomersethills.org/blairsden.php |title=The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills |access-date=2014-03-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080627171725/http://www.historicalsocietyofsomersethills.org/blairsden.php |archive-date=2008-06-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Blair spared no expense in building Blairsden, including leveling off the mountain, building a funicular to shuttle building materials and later guests up and down the terraced mountain and purchasing trees and shrubs aged 25-50 years old, as he did not wish "to wait for things to grow."<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Schleicher, William A. and Winter, Susan J.|first=|title=Images of America In The Somerset Hills The Landed Gentry|publisher=Acadia Publishing|year=1997|isbn=0-7524-0899-2|location=Dover, New Hampshire|pages=34-37}}</ref> Blairsden also included a 300-ft reflecting pool decorated with a surround of busts of the Roman Emperors. The household employed a large staff of over 70 to support the household and grounds.<ref name=":0" />
Blairsden was built between 1897 and 1903 for [[C. Ledyard Blair|Clinton Ledyard Blair]] (1867–1949), an American [[Investment banking|investment banker]]. It was designed by the prominent [[List of architecture firms|architectural firm]] of [[Carrère and Hastings]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.historicalsocietyofsomersethills.org/blairsden.php |title=The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills |access-date=2014-03-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080627171725/http://www.historicalsocietyofsomersethills.org/blairsden.php |archive-date=2008-06-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Blair spared no expense in building Blairsden, including leveling off the mountain, building a funicular to shuttle building materials and later guests up and down the terraced mountain and purchasing trees and shrubs aged 25-50 years old, as he did not wish "to wait for things to grow."<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Schleicher, William A. and Winter, Susan J.|title=Images of America In The Somerset Hills The Landed Gentry|publisher=Acadia Publishing|year=1997|isbn=0-7524-0899-2|location=Dover, New Hampshire|pages=34–37}}</ref> Blairsden also included a 300-ft reflecting pool decorated with a surround of busts of the Roman Emperors. The household employed a large staff of over 70 to support the household and grounds.<ref name=":0" />


===Sisters of St. John the Baptist===
===Sisters of St. John the Baptist===
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In May 2014, Blairsden was the site of the 2014 "[https://www.mansioninmay.org/ Mansion in May]" charity fundraiser designer show house and Gardens.<ref>[http://www.aspiremetro.com/blairsden-mansion-in-may-a-one-day-itinerary/ A Guide to Blairsden Mansion in May] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517122952/http://www.aspiremetro.com/blairsden-mansion-in-may-a-one-day-itinerary/ |date=May 17, 2014 }}</ref> This designer show house was presented by the Women's Association of [[Morristown Medical Center]], and it attracted over 33,000 visitors.<ref>[http://www.mansioninmay.org/ Mansion in May - Designer Showhouse and Gardens]</ref>
In May 2014, Blairsden was the site of the 2014 "[https://www.mansioninmay.org/ Mansion in May]" charity fundraiser designer show house and Gardens.<ref>[http://www.aspiremetro.com/blairsden-mansion-in-may-a-one-day-itinerary/ A Guide to Blairsden Mansion in May] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517122952/http://www.aspiremetro.com/blairsden-mansion-in-may-a-one-day-itinerary/ |date=May 17, 2014 }}</ref> This designer show house was presented by the Women's Association of [[Morristown Medical Center]], and it attracted over 33,000 visitors.<ref>[http://www.mansioninmay.org/ Mansion in May - Designer Showhouse and Gardens]</ref>

The mansion was last sold in 2022 to 30 Blair PG, LLC, a subsidiary of [[Peapack-Gladstone|Gladstone]]-based real estate private equity firm Melillo Equities.<ref name=bville3></ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.mrlocalhistory.org/blairsden/ History and Videos of the Blairsden Estate in Peapack, New Jersey]
* [https://www.mrlocalhistory.org/blairsden-2/ The Gilded Age: The Blairsden Estate]
* [https://www.mrlocalhistory.org/blairsden-horror/ Blairsden- The Horror, The Nuns and Other Tales]
* [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXatopgAQEZLhOgsJD1knt26hAHDOks0m Blairsden Video Series - Mr. Local History Project]


[[Category:Houses in Somerset County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Houses in Somerset County, New Jersey]]
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[[Category:Beaux-Arts architecture in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Beaux-Arts architecture in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Carrère and Hastings buildings]]
[[Category:Carrère and Hastings buildings]]
[[Category:Gilded Age mansions]]

Latest revision as of 08:45, 17 October 2023

Blairsden
View of front of house, ca. 1903
Map
General information
Architectural styleBeaux-Arts
Address30 Blair Drive
Town or cityPeapack-Gladstone, New Jersey
Coordinates40°42′51.29″N 74°38′12.26″W / 40.7142472°N 74.6367389°W / 40.7142472; -74.6367389
Construction started1897
Completed1903
ClientClinton Ledyard Blair
Owner30 Blair PG, LLC
(Anthony M. Melillo) [1]
Technical details
Floor area2,077 square feet (193.0 m2)
Design and construction
Architect(s)Carrère and Hastings
Other information
Number of rooms38

Blairsden is a historic 62,000-square-foot (5,800 m2), 38-room mansion located in Peapack-Gladstone, New Jersey.[2] Set high on a hilltop overlooking Ravine Lake, the mansion is part of what was originally an estate of 550 acres (2,200,000 m2).[3] In addition to its 38 rooms, the mansion has 25 fireplaces and 19 bathrooms.[4]

History

[edit]
View of house past terrace gardens, ca. 1903
The home's enclosed garden in 1903

Blairsden was built between 1897 and 1903 for Clinton Ledyard Blair (1867–1949), an American investment banker. It was designed by the prominent architectural firm of Carrère and Hastings.[5] Blair spared no expense in building Blairsden, including leveling off the mountain, building a funicular to shuttle building materials and later guests up and down the terraced mountain and purchasing trees and shrubs aged 25-50 years old, as he did not wish "to wait for things to grow."[6] Blairsden also included a 300-ft reflecting pool decorated with a surround of busts of the Roman Emperors. The household employed a large staff of over 70 to support the household and grounds.[6]

Sisters of St. John the Baptist

[edit]

After Blair's death in 1949, the mansion was sold to the Sisters of St. John the Baptist, who operated the house as a religious retreat.[7] In 2002, the Sisters of St. John the Baptist sold the property to the Foundation for Classical Architecture, owned by Victor Shafferman.[8][9]

Present day

[edit]

The mansion was subsequently listed for sale and sold in 2012 for $4.5 million to a holding company named Blairsden Hall, LLC.[10] Local officials identified the new owner as T. Eric Galloway, a New York developer and president of the Galvan Foundation and the Lantern Organization.[4]

In May 2014, Blairsden was the site of the 2014 "Mansion in May" charity fundraiser designer show house and Gardens.[11] This designer show house was presented by the Women's Association of Morristown Medical Center, and it attracted over 33,000 visitors.[12]

The mansion was last sold in 2022 to 30 Blair PG, LLC, a subsidiary of Gladstone-based real estate private equity firm Melillo Equities.[1]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Data on 30 Blair Drive, Peapack-Gladstone Boro 2022
  2. ^ DiIonno, Mark (September 29, 2013). "Blairsden estate's mystique soon to be unveiled". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2013-11-05.
  3. ^ Zavalick, Charlie (September 26, 2013). "Peapack-Gladstone OK's tours of historic Blairsden estate". The Bernardsville News. Retrieved 2013-11-05.
  4. ^ a b Perry, W. Jacob (September 20, 2013). "Tour request for Blairsden in Peapack-Gladstone ensnared in traffic debate". The Bernardsville News. Retrieved 2013-11-05.
  5. ^ "The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills". Archived from the original on 2008-06-27. Retrieved 2014-03-13.
  6. ^ a b Schleicher, William A. and Winter, Susan J. (1997). Images of America In The Somerset Hills The Landed Gentry. Dover, New Hampshire: Acadia Publishing. pp. 34–37. ISBN 0-7524-0899-2.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ "The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills". Archived from the original on 2008-06-27. Retrieved 2014-03-13.
  8. ^ "Blairsden History Video Series". Archived from the original on 2014-05-13. Retrieved 2014-05-12.
  9. ^ "Mystery of the man". Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  10. ^ Data on 30 Blair Drive, Peapack-Gladstone Boro
  11. ^ A Guide to Blairsden Mansion in May Archived May 17, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ Mansion in May - Designer Showhouse and Gardens
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