Llewellyn Park

Llewellyn Park was founded in 1857 by Llewellyn Solomon Haskell, a New York businessman. He discovered the lush, wooded acreage on the eastern slope on the first range of the Watchung Mountains and set out to create a suburban community of country estates. These finely crafted homes would stand amid majestic trees and running streams. The first annual meeting of proprietors was held at the Park's Gatehouse on January 1, 1858 and continues today. Llewellyn Park is thought to be the country's first planned residential community, and the site of the first large-scale naturalization of crocus, narcissus, and jonquils. The landscaping is in the 19th century romantic style of New York's Central Park, and includes winding paths, and rare ornamental trees, shrubs, and flowers. The Park has been home to many residents of note, especially Thomas Edison, whose home Glenmont is still an attraction that has been named a national historic site. Other residents over the years included abolitionist James Miller McKim, whose charming house contained secret chambers to hide escaped slaves traversing the Underground Railroad, the Merck family, and the Colgate family. Llewellyn Park residents, past and present, have hosted many notable guests at their homes from Eleanor Roosevelt, to President Clinton, to our recent Governor Richard Codey.