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Kuser Farm Mansion |
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The "Country Home" of Fred Kuser and his family this beautiful estate has also been a favorite visiting place for many of the area's movers and shakers. The Kusers themselves have a long and interesting history dating back to Rudolph Kuser who immigrated to the U.S. from Zurich, Switzerland around the early-mid 1800's. He and his wife Rosalie bought and operated a large farm in Hamilton Township, along what is now Kuser Road. It was across the road from this farm that their son, Fred, built the Kuser Farm Mansion as a summer home. Just to give an idea of how influential the Kusers were, Anthony R. Kuser consolidated all the gas and electric companies in Trenton and became president of the South Jersey Gas and Electric Lighting Company. He served on the staffs of three governors, and his wife's father, John Dryden, was a U.S. senator and founded the Prudential Life Insurance Company. The Fox Film Company, later to merge with 20th Century, was started with a $200,000 loan from Kuser, and family members went on to become major stock holders. The Kuser legacy includes High Point State Park and the New Jersey Audubon Society. Today visitors can enjoy a tour of the beautiful mansion and accompanying buildings. The period rooms in the mansion include the "Theatre in the Dining Room," with its once state-of-the-art 18-foot curved Cinema-Scope screen. Other attractions include the Laundry House, Coach House, Barn, Garages, Corn Crib, Chicken House, Gazebo, and Tennis Court. Many famous people played tennis at this court, considered one of the finest clay courts in the state. Tours of the Mansion are guided -- self-guided through the remainder of the estate. As a bonus to model railroad buffs, the basement of the home features the Jersey Valley Model Railroad display, a thrill for people of all ages. Important note: The Model Railroad is operated by a separate entity and is available only a few times per year, one day in October and a few days in December. Call for the current schedule. A wide variety of special events throughout the year gives families a reason to return again and again. Exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations, workshops and seasonal activities have the perfect setting at this beautiful property. School Groups and others will find a Tour to be fun and educational, and tours can be tailored to last from 15 to 60 minutes. The property can then be explored at leisure, and there are two picnic areas for lunch.
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Copyright © 1996-2014 by Patrick Tadeushuk. All Rights Reserved. |