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Martin Van BurenSep 8, 2007
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Lindenwald
House at Lindenwald
One of the original pear trees
September 8, 2007 48545 8:30 It is going to be hot again today, temp is already nearly 75.
Every day more and more of the trees are beginning to change color. The temps are still in the 80's and even the nights are in the high 60's and low 70's. I will really be glad when the daytime temps drop to the low 80's
Date wise we are jumping all over today. We have just left the Vanderbilt's and Roosevelt's, circa 1896-1945 and will traveling back in time first to 1800-1848.
Our first stop today is Lindenwald, the estate of Martin Van Buren, the eighth President of the U.S. Lindenwald is named for the Linden trees that are prevalent in the area
Van Buren home bought the 1797 in 1839 for $14,000.00. As soon as he moved it he began making improvements. Van Buren started with the grounds bringing them back to being a successful farm; he also installed formal gardens, experimental gardens, ornamental fishponds, wooden paths and outbuildings of all kinds.
The house also received lavish attention. The main hallway was removed to enlarge the rooms on both floors. He had vividly colored wallpaper panels painted with hunting scenes installed; He imported fine furniture and carpets and hung portraits of some personal friends, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, and Henry Clay.
Van Buren had running water installed as well as indoor toilets and a bathtub.
His son Smith and his wife Abigail moved him to help him and enlarged the home with two new wings a for-story brick tower, a central gable, attic dormers and a porch. The halls and grounds were the playground of his grandchildren from three of his sons.
Lindenwald mixed the architecture of Pennsylvania Dutch, Italianate, and Georgian both inside and out. The brick outside was painted yellow with brown shutters.
