New Vernon -- Holly Hill Farms

Object Details

General: The home of Walter T. Margetts, Jr., and Josephine S. Margetts, Holly Hill Farms' gardens dated to 1926, when the property was owned by Henry Colgate. Following the Margetts' acquisition of the property in 1954, extensive plantings of hollies (25 varieties) and other trees and shrubs, including cotoneaster, were undertaken. Garden features included a vine-covered pergola and seasonal borders of bulbs and perennials. The 78-acre site also housed a nursery, a Christmas tree plantation, and grassland and pasture for two horses, whose manure was used in the gardens, including the vegetable garden. An environmentalist, Josephine Margetts was a graduate of the Pennsylvania School of Horticulture for Women and served several terms in the New Jersey State Assembly, where she sponsored New Jersey's first wetland protection legislation.; Persons associated with the garden include Josephine S. Margetts and Walter T. Margetts, Jr. (former owners, 1954-1989) and Henry Colgate (former owner, ca. 1926).

Former owner: Margetts, Josephine S., d. 1989; Margetts, Walter T., Jr., d. 1983; Colgate, Henry
Collection Creator: Adams, Molly, 1918-2003

Place: Holly Hill Farms (New Vernon, New Jersey); United States of America -- New Jersey -- Morris County -- New Vernon

Former owner: Margetts, Josephine S., d. 1989; Margetts, Walter T., Jr., d. 1983; Colgate, Henry

See more items in: Maida Babson Adams American garden collection.; Maida Babson Adams American garden collection. / Series 1: Garden Images / New Jersey

Collection Citation: Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, Maida Babson Adams American garden collection.

Collection Rights: Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Scope and Contents: The folder includes worksheets, an unidentified 1960 newspaper article about the garden, and other information.

Collection Restrictions: Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Related Materials: Holly Hill Farms related holdings consist of 1 folder (40 safety film negatives)