Architecture...

Located in Summit, New Jersey, Twin Maples is listed on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places.  The original house was erected in 1908 by well-known New York architect, Alfred F. Norris.  Over the past century, the house has served as a hub for charitable events and fundraisers, and since 1949 has been the home of The Fortnightly Club of Summit and the Summit Junior Fortnightly Club.  These groups support a variety of charities including the NJ Community Foodbank, the Peterpaul Foundation, SHIP (Summit Helping Its People), and the community “Tot Trot,” a foot race benefiting a different children’s charity each year.

This October, in conjunction with the opening of the Twin Maples Centennial Show House, The Fortnightly Club will be raising money in support of The Cancer Center at Overlook Hospital.  In addition to adding another charity to the impressive list of causes Twin Maples has helped over the years, the unveiling of the Show House will also feature another Twin Maples milestone: environmentally sustainable design.  

The Carriage House at Twin Maples, one of the newly restored buildings in the Twin Maples compound, will be an entirely green design space, utilizing sustainable building practices and alternative energy.  All materials used in the renovation will be recycled, reused, or renewable.  The carriage house will feature green paint, wall coverings, recycled furnishings, Energy Star appliances, and reclaimed wood cabinetry and stone.  The Carriage House will also incorporate two solar arrays, courtesy of Vanguard Energy Partners.  When completed, the Carriage House will illustrate how easily environmental sustainability and state-of-the-art renovation can go hand in hand.

The Carriage House will be on display as part of the Show House festivities that will be taking place next month to celebrate Twin Maples’ centennial.  For more information on Twin Maples, visit www.historictwinmaples.org.