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Evergreens |
Evergreens Today: A "Work in Progress"
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Evergreens is open on a limited basis, as a "work in progress, while restoration proceeds with funding made possible in part by, the New Jersey Historic Trust/State of New Jersey. In their current state of preservation, the Shultz house and collection offer visitors the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the accomplishments of the past century in architecture, science, technology, and the arts. Nothing replaces the experience of viewing firsthand such an authentic survival of the late 19th century period. |
 Evergreen |
Evergreens is a remarkable survivor. Its
distinguished architecture and interiors are representative of
turn-of-the-century Montclair as it developed into a model for healthful,
suburban living. Preserved as a museum and education center, the house
could be an asset to the entire region."
-Ulysses Grant Dietz,
Curator, Decorative Arts, The Newark Museum
Dating from 1896, Evergreens was the home of Charles S. Shultz (1839-1924), a prominent Montclair citizen and President of the Hoboken Bank for Savings. Virtually unaltered for 100 years, the house remained in the family for three generations until bequeathed to the Montclair Historical Society in early 1997. In recognition of the outstanding exterior and interior features and remarkable state of preservation of the house, it has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979.
The architect of Evergreens was Michel LeBrun (1856-1913) of the distinguished firm of Napoleon LeBrun & Sons, renowned for the still-standing Metropolitan Life Insurance Tower in New York City - the tallest building in America in 1909. A rare example of residential work by LeBrun, the Shultz house is a synthesis of styles popular in the last quarter of the 19th century. Contributing to the varied texture of the facade are the high gables, dormers, terra cotta tiled roof, and decorative spires and chimneys, as well as the eclectic mix of building materials - brick and rough granite blocks on the ground floor, shingle on much of the wall area, and stucco and timber on the upper floors.
The broad porch offers a panoramic view of the Manhattan skyline, and
the picturesque two-acre grounds are landscaped to take full advantage of
the commanding hillside location. To the side of the house is a
well
with decorative wrought iron grillwork. and a handsome carriage house with
a single broad gable stands to the rear.
The InteriorThe design and contents of the twenty-one room Shultz house provide a remarkable record of late 19th century material culture. The house still contains all of the original interior fittings and furnishings, including the oak woodwork, lighting fixtures, wall covering, and Oriental rugs. In addition, the still- functioning mechanical systems exemplify the state-of-the-art technology available to Montclair residents at the turn of the century.
The interior reflects the increasingly dominant role of the architect in interior design in the 1890s. None of the clutter of earlier 19th century interiors is visible here. Instead, there is a reformist aesthetic at play, marked by a new interest in proportion, balance, and symmetry. Principal features include:
- the carved oak, moldings, paneling, columns, mantels and staircase in the original finish - all extraordinary examples of craftsmanship in the Colonial Revival and Georgian style.
- the spacious "living hall" characteristic of the architect-designed houses of the period, giving free access to the surrounding rooms.
- the library, custom-fined with display cabinetry for Shultz's extensive collections of books, scientific instruments, and travel memorabilia.
- the parlor, the sole room with curved lines, maple woodwork, and feminine character, containing a piano as well as period paintings.
A self-made man whose parents immigrated from Germany and Bohemia, Shultz took great pride in his collection. His library resembles a gentleman's cabinet-of-curiosities, which many 19th century collectors sought to emulate. The collection itself reflects Shultz's keen personal interest in both science and the arts, and his desire to educate, astonish, and impress the visitor. He documented his travels and intellectual pursuits with objects of cultural and aesthetic value. The centerpiece is a replica of the Taj Mahal carved in alabaster and covered by a glass dome. The library also houses an extensive collection of books, many of which relate to travel and science, as well as a mineral collection assembled by three generations of the Shultz family.
Shultz's scientific bent is demonstrated by the microscopes, experimentation equipment, and tools seen in the library as well as other rooms of the house. These interests link him with figures such as Thomas Edison, from nearby West Orange, and with the wider tradition of scientific inquiry and invention in late 19th century America. He served as president of the New York Microscopical Society for two terms, during which time the first female member was admitted - Marie Olivia LeBrun, the wife of the Shultz house architect, Michel LeBrun.
108 Orange Road • Montclair • NJ 07042 • Phone 973.744.1796