The estate was surprising to me for several reasons. First of all, I was struck by what an isolated location the Lindbergs chose for their home...they picked a hilltop piece of land, 400 acres, in the Sourland Mountains, accessible at the time only by narrow dirt roads. In the early 1930s, the depths of the Great Depression, there was a shantytown of shacks nearby, and no other house on the hill had electricity. It doesn't seem like the most obvious place for the most famous man in the world at the time to have chosen for his family home. Of course, we know now that Lindbergh felt hounded by fans and the press, and I suppose he thought this remote location would keep his family safe. As it turned out, since the house was the only one nearby with electricity, the lights from the home at night clearly indicated its location for anyone searching.
I also was intrigued that to find that the house itself is rather modestly sized and not at all ostentatious. It has the feel of a rustic, country retreat... Not quite what I expected, given that Lindbergh had become enormously rich from his famous flights and Anne Morrow herself came from a background of wealth and privilege. The house was newly built at the time of the kidnapping, and decoration, landscaping, etc, was not complete. It is hard now to be certain what more the Lindberghs might have done with the house or exterior. No furniture remains in the home from the Lindberghs' time, although there is a fair amount of original woodwork, particularly in the study and living room.
The most poignant moment for me came inside the bedroom of the baby, Charles Lindbergh, Jr. The baby's room now serves as a computer room for the juvenile justice facility; it is painted light blue, although at the time of the kidnapping, it had a cheerful wallpaper. What I found so poignant--the lovely, blue and white Delft tiles on the fireplace, each depicting a child, toy, or animal. I couldn't help but feel the presence of the mother who carefully chose those for her first baby's room.
I greatly enjoyed the opportunity to tour the estate. I hope that one day the state of New Jersey will make the home a historic site open to the general public.
It was very interesting. I'm glad I went with! Indeed, it was sad being in the baby's room. You just want to go back in time and scream at these people to get their act together and hold a proper investigation, but you know, the advantage of the historical perpective and all...
ReplyDeleteYes, it's maddening to hear about the investigation, isn't it? What a terrible mess. Thank you for coming with me on the "field trip!"
ReplyDeleteis the house visable from the road
Deletemy email is td-2@comcast.net
I don't know how people survive such a terrible loss. I read the Aviator's Wife so it's very interesting to see the photos of the home and know about its current use.
ReplyDeletewhat a shame this beautiful house hasn't been preserved in a more appropriate context. while it's certainly important to have the type of facility it's currently being used for, it seems a shame that such an historically significant place has been left in obscurity. i can understand the lindbergh's desire to leave it as far behind as they could but still have it serve an important purpose but it seems so sad that another family couldn't live in it and bring life to it again, or the state turn it into a lindbergh museum or study center.
ReplyDeleteI understand why you suggest what you do, but really, at what point do you say enough is enough with preservation? I mean think about it, the only real significance of this house is that this is the location that Charles Jr was abducted and subsequently killed. Lindbergh had homes all over and to make matters worse, he wasn't a good man. His three European mistresses and 7 out of wedlock children make it even more difficult to appreciate the non-stop flight across the Atlantic.
DeleteWhom do you contact to schedule a tour?
ReplyDeleteI lived in the Lindbergh house for nearly 12-years with my two brothers from 1952 to 1964. At the time and for several years after, it served as a residential treatment center for juvenile delinquents that my father ran and was the first of its kind. The treatment center was featured in Life Magazine and on the TV show, The 20th Century, hosted by Walter Cronkite. I have a link to the show that was aired in 1959. For a time, the house was named for my father but his name was removed and the program changed at some point in the past few years without state contacting myself or any of my brothers. I would love to visit the home with my children to show them where I grew up but I havent seen anything where you can schedule a tour. The house is listed on the state's registry as an historical landmark but apparently no one is allowed a visit. My efforts to contact state officials have been met with silence. At the very least, I would think that some tours would be allowed so as to not disturb anyone.
ReplyDeleteNot sure what is going on with the house and land. As the Lindbergh's left all of that to the state of NJ, I'm sure they will sell off what they can. Such a shame. Greed by the state of NJ.
ReplyDeleteThis was so interesting to read. My maternal Grandfather, Frenchtown Constable Oden Baggstrom, was sequestered in charge of the jury throughout the trial there in nearby Flemington. I remember Grandpa telling me in response to my questioning, that he wasn't happy with the requirement to witness Hauptmann's electrocution.
ReplyDelete