24 / matters magazine / spring 2018 he wasn’t traveling the world “roaming the Orient and South Sea Islands ab- sorbing various cultures,” according to one biographer. While Ward’s co-executors may have been blindsided by his request, they rallied, named prominent co- trustees (among them a former state senator and the president of Prudential Insurance Co.), and ventured abroad in search of prototype havens for men reduced to want. In England, they scouted out two historic examples: Hospital of St. Cross at Winchester, founded in 1137, and the 300-year- old Charter House in London. Look- ing for guidance closer to home, the researchers studied Sailors Snug Har- bor on Staten Island and similar resi- dences in Washington and Illinois. Finally, they bought 49 acres of farmland in Maplewood that was “convenient to trolley and bus lines, included a bit of woodland and a knoll that offered wide views of the area,” ac- cording to the Community Chronicle of Winchester Gardens. When time came to build, Ward’s trustees recruited the best in Ameri- can expertise: famed New York archi- tect John Russell Pope (the Jefferson Memorial and Mellon Art Gallery in Washington), and the landscaping firm of Olmsted and Company (Cen- tral Park, Prospect Park, Maplewood Park). By 1927, skilled craftsmen had realized Pope’s vision: three intercon- nected, gothic-style structures in rusti- Celebration cake: Ted Bryant, Pat Thornton, Sue Lippy and Maplewood Mayor Victor DeLuca. Photo credit: Alexander Halpin. Mickey Fried Preschool of Oheb Shalom Congregation 2-5 year olds • Early drop-off • Outdoor playground Enrichment programs • Extended day until 6 pm! Sloane Goldstein, Director • (973) 762-7069 170 Scotland Road, South Orange • MickeyFriedPreschool.org LEARN. CREATE. PLAY. Come see why our parents say we’re “the best preschool in the area!” Park Wood D I N E R • R E S T A U R A N T Book your next gathering in our NEW Private Party Room Fresh Ingredients Fresh Fish Daily Specials Gourmet Salads Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner 1958 Springfield Avenue • Maplewood (973) 313-3990 • fax (973) 313-3991 We CATER! (Free delivery to your home or office!) NJ MONTHLY “Best of Jersey Favorite Diner” You’re going to love our food!