HISTORY: The Friends of Herrontown Woods (FOHW) began in the summer of 2013 as an informal group that came together to clear trails long blocked by fallen trees and invasive growth in Herrontown Woods and Autumn Hill Reservation. One year later, trails on more than 200 acres were once again accessible to the public. Kurt Tazelaar and Sally Curtis were given a Sustainability Leadership Award for their work to reopen the trails.
In October, 2014, FOHW received official 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. In 2017, FOHW rallied local support to prevent demolition of the Veblen House and Cottage, and convinced Princeton Municipality to take ownership of the preserve and its historic structures through a transfer from Mercer County. In 2020, FOHW signed a lease with Princeton for the Veblen House and Cottage, and has begun work to repurpose the buildings for community use.
2017 also marked the beginning of what has become the Princeton Botanical Art Garden, nicknamed the Barden, an extensive native plant garden and maker space at Herrontown Woods with 130 native species of plants.
SUPPORT OUR WORK!
Donate with a credit card or PayPal account at this link, or send a check made out to "FOHW" to P.O. Box 1325, Princeton, NJ 08542. Donations of any amount help inspire our work, and will support our historical restoration and ecological stewardship initiatives.
SUPPORT OUR WORK!
Donate with a credit card or PayPal account at this link, or send a check made out to "FOHW" to P.O. Box 1325, Princeton, NJ 08542. Donations of any amount help inspire our work, and will support our historical restoration and ecological stewardship initiatives.
From our Bylaws:
ARTICLE I.....NAME, TYPE, AND PURPOSE
Section 1. The name of this Association shall be "Friends of Herrontown Wood" for official corporate purposes and "FOHW" for all ordinary business and promotional purposes. In this document it is hereinafter referred to as “the Association."
Section 2. The Association is and shall remain a non-profit corporation organized under the laws of the State of New Jersey. Its "articles of organization" comprise the articles of incorporation and these bylaws as from time to time amended.
Section 3. The Association is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. The objectives of the Association shall be:
- To protect, rehabilitate and maintain the Veblen House and associated historic structures and grounds,
- To utilize the buildings and associated grounds for educational and community purposes, including community meeting space, nature center, museum, library, caretakers residence, and storage
- To promote public education through events drawing from and building upon the multifaceted legacies of previous owners: the Veblens and Whiton-Stuarts.
- To promote research related to these legacies
- To promote native plant landscaping through demonstration and community outreach
- To document the natural and cultural heritage, and promote and facilitate ongoing stewardship, of Herrontown Wood and adjoining lands comprising the Princeton Ridge-East
- To partner with other local, state, and national agencies and organizations to achieve these and other charitable, educational, and scientific goals.
