Princeton Nurseries 100th Anniversary Celebration

Princeton Nurseries 100th Anniversary Celebration in the Preserve

Saturday, September 7, 2013

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Photo by Jonathan Michalik

A glorious day smiled down on a record crowd gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Princeton Nurseries and the preservation of the Princeton Nursery Lands.  Representative Rush Holt, South Brunswick Mayor Frank Gamabatese, NJDEP State Parks Director Mark Texel, NJ Historic Preservation Office Administrator Dan Saunders,  FPNL trustee Anne Zeman (reading remarks penned by Princeton Forrestal Associates Marketing Director David Knights, a partner in the preservation), and Bill Flemer (William Flemer IV) all reflected on the significance of the Nurseries, the cultural landscape it created, and the successful effort to preserve much of the Nurseries’ Kingston site.  FPNL Vice President Robert von Zumbusch introduced the speakers, and President Karen Linder welcomed guests, encouraging them to appreciate and help steward the land that now belongs to all of us.

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A new sign was installed the day before the celebration, crafted by Kane Brothers Restorations (pictured here are Connor, Pat, and Tim Kane) and paid for by an anonymous donor.  Photo by Vicki Chirco

A sparkling cider toast and a superb birthday cake decorated with 100 trees–an anonymous gift–followed the speeches.  Attendees perused displays detailing Princeton Nurseries’ history, operations, and achievements, and marveled at vintage tractors, one of which is still hard at work at St. Michael’s Farm Preserve in Hopewell under the guiding hands of Bill Flemer, who is the St. Michael’s Farm Manager for D&R Greenway.

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Photos by Jonathan Michalik

Two sets of country music by the Bare Root Band (Bill Flemer, Doug Miller, Bernhard Geiger, Brandon Lewin and Lori Pantaleo) accompanied the festivities in high style.

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Photo by Jonathan Michalik

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