HISTORY
Mid 1800’s - Early 1900‘s
The house was born in the mid 1800’s as a Dutch farmhouse.
The house sat on a working sawmill’s and ancient Indian caves from the Lenni Lenape tribe/nation along the river that runs though the property. The Land was a water-power property belonging to George E. Jersey. To power the machinery, a dam was built with a large waterwheel, some remains of those historical structures survived throughout the years and still exist on the property today. The property has a natural and beautiful waterfall, a dam, and pond, that is all surrounded by acres of forest land.
1922
In 1922 a talented young man by the name of James Maxwell Anderson, an American playwright, Author, Journalist, and Poet, best known for playwright Magnum Opus “Both Your Houses”, which was awarded Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1933, as well as other awards, visits a great friend, American Architect Henry Varnum Poor. Henry had shown the small farmhouse to Maxwell and his wife Margarett. The couple fell in love with the property and purchased the house along with 60 Acres. The house had no running water or electricity, showers throughout the years were at the waterfall.
1924 - 1996
In 1924 the house was rebuilt by Maxwell Anderson and Carroll French, a well known and noted wood sculptor and artist. Mr. French carved some very beautifully detailed local chestnut beams representing indigenous animals and plants inside the house. When leaving through the front Dutch doors, you will encounter an etched Latin phrase on the top of the door stating “Exeuntommnes”, meaning “Exit this way”. All carvings and etched designs remain solid and in tact till today. Henry Varnum Poor also added his own flavor to house. Unfortunately most of those architectural fixtures have been previously removed.
The property was home to all of Maxwell’s children Quentin, Alan, Terrence and Hesper and to many of their children whom grew up in this magical place of great nature of fun outdoor activities, swimming in the pond, ice skating on the frozen pond, tennis, the spectacular waterfall sounds and views and freedom to walk, run around and explore the forest all located behind the backyard. A wonderland of a place surrounded by beautiful walnut trees, apple trees, cherry trees, the aromas of exotic flowers and Old Indian Caves. A place were many noted celebrities friends of Maxwell frequented for gatherings and work. Those friends included Musical Composer Kurt Weill and Austrian actrees-singer wife Lotte Lenya, Composer Alan Jay Lerner, Architect Hanry Varnum Poor and his wife Bessie, Cartoonist Milton Caniff and Bill Mauldin, all whom lived on South Mountain Road as well. A place of entertainment, drama, from the death of Maxwell’s first wife Margaret, to the death of his live-in girlfriend Gertrude Higger. A community filled with interesting characters, mysterious and successful. Maxwell Anderson wrote his very first play in this house, “What price Glory”, “Saturday’s Children”, “Hi-Tor”, and many other notable works from the attic study that overlooks the waterfall. The house was in the Anderson family for over 75 years.
1996 - 2005
In 1996 the house was purchased by talented actors and potters Barry Bostwick and wife Sherri. Some of Barry’s most popular works are the movie “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”, and the television series “Spin City”. They lived with their children.
2005 - 2009
In 2005 the property was purchased by a New Jersey attorney, SY and his wife, an opera singer Kyung, with their children. A lot of changes were made by the couple.
2011 - PRESENT
In 2011, the Anderson House was purchased by entrepreneur William and live-in girlfriend Giselle who is also an entrepreneur and artist. The couple have many long term plans for this unique piece of heaven. “Since we bought the house, it’s been non-stop for us, between meticulous restorations and everything else in between, we knew what we were getting ourselves into. The process has been both adventurous and overwhelming. The condition we purchased the property in, was terrible, but we knew that underneath that gloomy cloud laid a very special place. We definitely have been blessed. Bringing something back to life has been rewarding on so many levels and we realized that, when, a friend of ours told us that human energy in a house, keeps the home alive and that when a home is abandoned, it will reflect and begin to fall apart. He is so right about that. Slowly we have built a wonderland hub that our families, friends and visitors can enjoy. We feel an endless amount of creative energy here, it’s an amazing feeling, both magical and extremely peaceful. We love our home and look forward to many more adventures in it.”
