Mahwah Museum Hosts Gallery Talk on Estates of Ramapo Valley Road Jan. 18

Press Release from Mahwah Museum:

On Sunday, Jan. 18 at 1:15 p.m., Tetsu Amagasu, Chairman of the Mahwah Museum Exhibit Committee, and Linda Amagasu, museum docent, will give a gallery talk about the history of two historic and easily recognizable estates along Ramapo Valley Road. The talk will take place in the upstairs gallery of the Mahwah Museum, located at 201 Franklin Turnpike. Gallery talks are included with admission to the museum.

One of the estates that will be discussed is the Kohler Estate. Charles Kohler established himself by forming the Kohler Campbell Piano Co. in NY City. He purchased a home and over 200 acres on Ramapo Valley Road, opposite the entrance to Rio Vista, and indulged himself in his passion for horses. His widow lived in the stately home until 1940 and it has remained a private home ever since.

The Chapman Estate, which eventually became the Carmelite Retreat, will be included in the talk. In the early 1900’s, Clarence Chapman, a wealthy investor and stock broker, built a 32-room summer/country home for his family on a hill overlooking the Ramapo River on considerable acreage. There was a farm, a large greenhouse, an Olympic sized swimming pool and many amenities. His losses during the Depression forced the sale of the property.

Seating for the talks is limited; reservations for the Gallery Talk are recommended. To reserve a seat, contact info@mahwahmuseum.org, or call 201-512-0099.

The Mahwah Museum is open weekends and Wednesdays from 1-4 p.m. The Donald Cooper Model Railroad, located on the lower floor of the Museum, is open weekends from 1-4 p.m. Admission is $5 for non-members, museum members and children are free. In February, the Museum will be featuring a new display and an expanded Les Paul exhibit. Visit www.mahwahmuseum.org for more information about Museum exhibits and upcoming events.

Photo Caption: Revolutionary War re-enactors march past the Kohler Estate during the 2006 W3R re-enactment. From the Mahwah Museum Great Estates Collection.