Guided Tours of Rutherfurd Hall
Unlock the secrets of one of New Jersey’s most prestigious Gilded Age estates during a guided tour of Rutherfurd Hall, a historic mansion that tells the story of American aristocracy, architectural innovation, and personal ties to some of the most influential figures in U.S. history. Step inside the very rooms where the elite once gathered, and let our expert guides lead you through the estate’s remarkable past.
Please check our Events Calendar for Upcoming Guided Tour Dates!
Or contact Joan Salvas, Rutherfurd Hall Historian (jsalvas@aes.k12.nj.us) for more information about private tours for individuals or groups.
Admission: $10 — All proceeds benefit the preservation and educational programs of Rutherfurd Hall.
Tour Highlights:
The Parlor: Tales of Political and Romantic Intrigue
This room, often used to entertain high-profile guests, holds stories of private conversations and important social gatherings that connected the Rutherfurds to European royalty and American political figures. Original fixtures and decorative elements abound, including sconces, hardware and family crests above the fireplace mantel.
The Dining Room: An Aristocratic Feast
In the Dining Room, your guide will explain how the Rutherfurd family entertained U.S. presidents, European aristocrats, and business tycoons of the Gilded Age. The room’s centerpiece is a grand, ornate fireplace further highlights the family’s aristocratic connections.
The Library: A Haven of Knowledge and Influence
Here, you’ll learn about Lewis Morris Rutherfurd, a pioneer in astrophotography. His groundbreaking work connects his rural mansion to some of the most important scientific advancements of the 19th century.
The Games Room/Our Lady of the Angels Chapel
The Rutherfurd Family here originally enjoyed billiards, cards and other contemporary entertainments beneath the elaborate ceiling moldings. After the acquisition of the estate by the Congregation of the Daughters of Divine Charity in the 1950s, this room was converted into their chapel, named for Our Lady of the Angels.
Tour Extras:
Exhibits
Throughout the tour, visitors will encounter several exhibits featuring historical photographs, original postcards from the estate’s early years, and artifacts that offer a deeper look into the daily life of the Rutherfurd family.
Tudor Architecture Insights
The tour includes in-depth commentary on the architectural details of the mansion, from its signature steeply pitched roofs to the intricate stonework that makes Rutherfurd Hall an architectural gem of the Country Place Era in American history.
Before you visit, watch this video about Allamuchy Farms and their renowned Holstein cattle, Dorset sheep, and smooth fox terrier kennels known as Warren Kennels. (YouTube video below)
Photo gallery coming soon…