Post by admin on Jan 17, 2009 9:21:35 GMT -5
www.app.com/article/20090117/NEWS01/901170311/1285/LOCAL09
UPPER FREEHOLD — In the background, Crosswicks Creek gurgled away.
That was pretty much all one could hear on a winter day at Historic Walnford, the 1700s-to-1900s farm-mill village owned by the Monmouth County Park System on the creek.
"It's definitely slower (in winter)," said Sarah Bent, site supervisor. "But, if anybody's familiar with the site, they know it's peace and contemplation."
During the winter, Walnford, part of the park system's approximately 1,200-acre Crosswicks Creek Greenway, is visited by walkers and bird-watchers.
Birds found around a backyard feeder, according to Bent, are common at Walnford — cardinals, nuthatches, chickadees, juncos, wrens, various sparrows, titmice, blue jays and mourning doves.
"We have all the birds of prey, the hawks are out," Bent said. "The robins will be here as long as the holly berries hold out."
Hollies, along with white pine and cedar, are the evergreens. They provide a contrast with the waters of Crosswicks Creek, the hardwood trees that have lost their leaves and, if there is any, snow.
"It's a nice winter walk if you want a change of scenery," said Bent, who has worked at Walnford since it opened to the public in 1997.
"It's a great time to appreciate the sounds (of nature)," Bent said. "You can hear the birds, the water in the stream (Crosswicks Creek)."
The Waln family owned the property from 1772, when it was purchased by Richard Waln, to 1973. In 1973, the Mullen family bought the 40-acre property from the Waln family.
A few years later, the Mullen family put 36 acres of Walnford in the public trust. The county took possession in 1985, opening it to the public in 1997.
Walnford, in its current state, reflects a 1772-to-1922 time period.
Historic Walnford is located at 78 Walnford Road. The buildings are open to the public every day, except Christmas, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The mansion is heated.
"Cold weather is another time we can appreciate changes in technology," Bent said.
In January 1778, Richard Waln wrote a letter from Philadelphia advising that a Walnford worker should cut a wood cord, which is 8 feet by 4 feet by 4 feet, a day until the yard is full of wood to burn.
Bent noted Walnford's 1800s icehouse, where ice was cut and stored, and 1700s smokehouse, used to preserve meats. Winter was a good time for butchering animals, Bent said.
Walnford is set up, basically, for visitors to guide themselves. But a staffer, if free, can show people around, Bent said.
The mill building is open, but the grinding of corn has ceased until April.
Winter can mean snow — or no snow.
"We can do an awful lot of snow-shoveling," Bent said. "We try not to remove it where it would be a photographer's dream. And snow's another great way to see wildlife, look at the (animal) tracks."
Bent suggested people think of a visit to Walnford not so much a destination, but as a place to visit in conjunction with something else, such as visiting the nearby Jackson Premium Outlets, Cream Ridge Winery or the shops in historic Allentown.
"Come out to Walnford, where you don't have to spend any money," Bent said.
Walnford's next formal event is Feb. 14, when there is to be a display of 1800s Valentines, along with an opportunity for visitors to make historic-type Valentines. The Valentine's Day event will be from 1 to 4 p.m.
Then, on March 28, a long-term display — "Contained by Cotton," a display of circa 1850-to-1950 bags for feed, flour, sugar, salt and dog food — is scheduled to open.
As winter changes to spring, according to Bent, one can look for the signs of the changing seasons at Walnford — skunk cabbage growing in the wetlands and birds calling as their activity increases.
Joe Sapia: (732) 308-7754; (800) 822-9770, Ext. 1-7754; JSapia@app.com
UPPER FREEHOLD — In the background, Crosswicks Creek gurgled away.
That was pretty much all one could hear on a winter day at Historic Walnford, the 1700s-to-1900s farm-mill village owned by the Monmouth County Park System on the creek.
"It's definitely slower (in winter)," said Sarah Bent, site supervisor. "But, if anybody's familiar with the site, they know it's peace and contemplation."
During the winter, Walnford, part of the park system's approximately 1,200-acre Crosswicks Creek Greenway, is visited by walkers and bird-watchers.
Birds found around a backyard feeder, according to Bent, are common at Walnford — cardinals, nuthatches, chickadees, juncos, wrens, various sparrows, titmice, blue jays and mourning doves.
"We have all the birds of prey, the hawks are out," Bent said. "The robins will be here as long as the holly berries hold out."
Hollies, along with white pine and cedar, are the evergreens. They provide a contrast with the waters of Crosswicks Creek, the hardwood trees that have lost their leaves and, if there is any, snow.
"It's a nice winter walk if you want a change of scenery," said Bent, who has worked at Walnford since it opened to the public in 1997.
"It's a great time to appreciate the sounds (of nature)," Bent said. "You can hear the birds, the water in the stream (Crosswicks Creek)."
The Waln family owned the property from 1772, when it was purchased by Richard Waln, to 1973. In 1973, the Mullen family bought the 40-acre property from the Waln family.
A few years later, the Mullen family put 36 acres of Walnford in the public trust. The county took possession in 1985, opening it to the public in 1997.
Walnford, in its current state, reflects a 1772-to-1922 time period.
Historic Walnford is located at 78 Walnford Road. The buildings are open to the public every day, except Christmas, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The mansion is heated.
"Cold weather is another time we can appreciate changes in technology," Bent said.
In January 1778, Richard Waln wrote a letter from Philadelphia advising that a Walnford worker should cut a wood cord, which is 8 feet by 4 feet by 4 feet, a day until the yard is full of wood to burn.
Bent noted Walnford's 1800s icehouse, where ice was cut and stored, and 1700s smokehouse, used to preserve meats. Winter was a good time for butchering animals, Bent said.
Walnford is set up, basically, for visitors to guide themselves. But a staffer, if free, can show people around, Bent said.
The mill building is open, but the grinding of corn has ceased until April.
Winter can mean snow — or no snow.
"We can do an awful lot of snow-shoveling," Bent said. "We try not to remove it where it would be a photographer's dream. And snow's another great way to see wildlife, look at the (animal) tracks."
Bent suggested people think of a visit to Walnford not so much a destination, but as a place to visit in conjunction with something else, such as visiting the nearby Jackson Premium Outlets, Cream Ridge Winery or the shops in historic Allentown.
"Come out to Walnford, where you don't have to spend any money," Bent said.
Walnford's next formal event is Feb. 14, when there is to be a display of 1800s Valentines, along with an opportunity for visitors to make historic-type Valentines. The Valentine's Day event will be from 1 to 4 p.m.
Then, on March 28, a long-term display — "Contained by Cotton," a display of circa 1850-to-1950 bags for feed, flour, sugar, salt and dog food — is scheduled to open.
As winter changes to spring, according to Bent, one can look for the signs of the changing seasons at Walnford — skunk cabbage growing in the wetlands and birds calling as their activity increases.
Joe Sapia: (732) 308-7754; (800) 822-9770, Ext. 1-7754; JSapia@app.com