November 2014
Fosterfields Living Historical Farm Historic Landscape Report
Morris County, New Jersey

Heritage Landscapes laid the groundwork for recapturing the historically expansive sense of space and early 20th century character of the landscape at the Fosterfields Living Historical Farm in a Historic Landscape Report for the Morris County Parks Commission (MCPC).  The report guides rehabilitation of this important agricultural landscape, one of the few active historic farms in central New Jersey.  While Fosterfields excels in traditional farming techniques to educate the region about the relevancy of these practices and the interesting lives of its past owners, modern development and landscape succession have distorted the original scale and features of the farm. Heritage Landscapes integrated findings from historical research with contemporary infrastructure, wetland protection, and interpretive programming to propose rehabilitation phases for Fosterfields.  Detailed recommendations target the primary goals of reestablishing fruit orchards, selective visual piercing of woodlands, restoring historic meadows, and renewing the picturesque style landscape of the Foster’s estate The Willows.

Caroline Foster stands among the Fosterfields Barn Complex.

The detail of the 1926 plan illustrates the historic landscape during the period of significance.

A contemporary image shows working farm fields with the Barn Complex and rolling hills in the background.