History:
In the late 1600's, Evert Van Wickle, a young Dutch carpenter, stepped onto the rich soil of New Amersfoort, Long Island. Evert must have prospered, as around 1700, he bought about 800 acres of land on the Raritan River in New Jersey.
Evert's son, Symen brought his bride, Geradina to these acres on the Raritan in 1722, and built his home facing the Raritan at a spot known as the "upper fording place," at that time an important link between Middlebush and Piscataway, via the"Old Middlebush Road" (now DeMott Lane).
Of a style commonly called "Dutch", the house is a combination of Dutch, Flemish, and English influences and is an excellent example of early 18th century Dutch architecture unique to the New Jersey-New York area. The house itself, of massive post and beam construction, measures 30 by 40 feet, sitting solidly on a stone foundation.
The house has witnessed the fascinating historical events of the past. During the Revolutionary War, the British occupied the Raritan Landing for several months in 1777. In early 1830, the Delaware and Raritan Canal arrived in the front yard.
Standing like a rock for 277 years, the house has been farmhouse, colonial showplace, and home for generations of owners. Restoration has included the addition of such important new facilities as an outdoor stage, formal gardens, a canal bridge, wetland boardwalk, program center, nature trail and youth camping site. |
Directions:
From the New Jersey Turnpike:
Travel on the NJ Turnpike to Exit 9. After the toll plaza, follow signs for Route 18 North/New Brunswick. Follow Route 18 North (Memorial Parkway), through New Brunswick. The Raritan River will be on your right. You will be passing the Hyatt Regency Hotel and the Johnson & Johnson International Headquarters. Continue on Route 18 North, constantly bearing right, to the very end - follow all signs for Easton Avenue (Route 527). At the final traffic light, make a left turn onto Landing Lane. Go up the hill, and down the other side to the next traffic light. This is the intersection of Landing Lane and Easton Avenue (Route 527). Make a right turn onto Easton Avenue. Travel on Easton Avenue, passing the McDonalds & Dunkin' Donuts (shopping plaza). At this point, travel in the right lane. At the DeMott Lane turn-off, make a RIGHT TURN under the traffic light, directly opposite DeMott Lane into the Meadows Foundation/Van Wickle House driveway. If you pass the Rutgers Preparatory School, you have passed the Meadows Foundation driveway.
From Interstate 287:
Travel on Interstate 287 to Exit 10 (Easton Avenue (Route 527)/New Brunswick). Follow signs for Easton Avenue (Route 527)/New Brunswick.
From 287 North:
After exiting, bear left around the jug handle, continuing to follow green signs for Easton Avenue (Route 527)/New Brunswick. Go under the bridge (I-287 is directly above) and continue down Easton Avenue to the DeMott Lane turn-off. Exit off Easton Avenue, taking the DeMott Lane jug handle and at the end, turn left onto DeMott Lane, facing Easton Avenue. On the green light, travel STRAIGHT DOWN, DIRECTLY ACROSS EASTON AVENUE INTO THE MEADOWS FOUNDATION/VAN WICKLE HOUSE DRIVEWAY. (The Meadows Foundation driveway is a stratight continuation of DeMott Lane).
From 287 South:
After exiting, go straight down the exit ramp onto Easton Avenue (Route 527), and continue down Easton Avenue to the DeMott Lane turn-off. Exit off Easton Avenue, taking the DeMott Lane jug handle and at the end, turn left onto DeMott Lane, facing Easton Avenue. On the green light, travel STRAIGHT DOWN, DIRECTLY ACROSS EASTON AVENUE INTO THE MEADOWS FOUNDATION/VAN WICKLE HOUSE DRIVEWAY. (The Meadows Foundation driveway is a straight continuation of DeMott Lane).
From the Garden State Parkway:
Travel on the Garden State Parkway to Exit 130/US #1 South. Travel on US #1 South to Interstate 287 North. Travel on Interstate 287 North to Exit 10.
Follow directions above, from Interstate 287.
From US #1:
Travel on US #1 exiting at Route 18 North/New Brunswick. Follow Route 18 North (Memorial Parkway) through New Brunswick. The Raritan River will be on your right.
Follow directions above, from NJ Turnpike.
From Route 27:
Travel on Route 27 to Veronica Avenue. (At this intersection, you will see a Getty Gasoline Station on one corner and an Exxon Station diagonally across from it on the other corner). Turn onto Veronica Avenue (you will see the Radio Station WCTC/WMGQ) tower directly in front of you on the right, and a Shoprite Shopping Plaza on the left). Travel on Veronica Avenue to the end. At the traffic light, turn left onto Amwell Road. Follow Amwell Road to DeMott Lane. (You will see signs for the Franklin Township Municipal Complex). Make a right turn onto DeMott Lane. Travel on DeMott Lane to Easton Avenue (last traffic light). Directly in front of you, under the traffic light, you will see the BROWN SIGN for THE MEADOWS FOUNDATION. When you have the light, travel straight across Easton Avenue, under the traffic light, into the Meadows Foundation driveway (Do not make any turns).
By Amtrak and Railroad:
Travel to Railroad Station-New Brunswick, New Jersey. The New Brunswick Railroad Station is located at the very end of Easton Avenue, in New Brunswick. Travel by car, taxi, or bus on Easton Avenue to the Meadows Foundation/Van Wickle House, 1289 Easton Avenue, Somerset. |
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