Event - Arbor Day Celebration
Saturday, April 28, 2-4 PM
This event is on as planned.
William Flemer, IV (a member of the Flemer family who founded the legendary Princeton Nurseries) will lead a recollection session with past Princeton Nurseries workers. Anyone who worked there is encouraged to participate, to share memories and/or photos. This event will be held in the Education Building at the new Headquarters of the D&R Canal State Park on Mapleton Road in Kingston.
In addition to the public, we hope that many people who contributed to the success of the Princeton Nurseries Kingston site will join us for this session. The history of Princeton Nurseries is intimately related to the history of those who worked there, and we would like to honor these stories.
A tree planting will follow. Princeton Nurseries, now located in Allentown, New Jersey, has provided a specimen tree to be planted for the 2007 Arbor Day Celebration at Mapleton Preserve. This continues its tradition of donating specimens for the nascent Flemer Arboretum, named for celebrated plantsman William Flemer, III, and his brother, the late Dr. John Flemer. Some of the most prized plants in American horticulture were developed in Kingston by William Flemer, III: Princeton Sentry® Gingko, Snow Queen Hydrangea, and October Glory® Maple.
After the planting, guests are invited to take a leisurely walk on the property, which will highlight the Nurseries' renowned specimen trees. All guests will receive a seedling tree to bring home and plant.
In 2005, Mapleton Preserve (the historic heart of Princeton Nurseries) was jointly purchased as open space, by the New Jersey Green Acres program and South Brunswick Township. The restored main office for the Princeton Nurseries Kingston site has now become the D & R Canal State Park Headquarters. Several other historic buildings dot the grounds, including eight greenhouses. If suitable funding can be obtained, they will be restored and put to nature-related use within the next ten years.
The Arbor Day celebration will be held at the Headquarters of the D&R Canal State Park, located at 145 Mapleton Road in Kingston, and is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact us via the link above or through the Friends' web site (fpnl.org), or call Karen Linder at 609-683-0483.
