2017 – THE NATURAL BENCH

The Arboretum Natural Bench was donated by Joyce Monges  after the death of her Friend and partner Joseph Curtin  on 07/31/2016.

This bench was crafted from a  90+ year old Taxus baccata (aka the Yew) tree taken from the estate of Joseph Curtin.  Joseph was an artist and scholar and lived in the estate’s carriage house for over 60 years and surrounded himself with rare antiques and works of art.

Joe purchased the carriage house from the Estate originally owned by Millionaire Alfred Winslow Jones, a Wall Street Investment Banker.

Joseph Curtin purchased the carriage house from the Estate originally owned by Wall Street investment broker  Richard R. Jones.

A friend of Joseph’s, GARTH AVERY [October 18, 1953–October 19, 1994] grew up here in Dumont.  A warm-hearted, imaginative young artist, she formed a close bond with Joe.

Click here to read more about Alfred Winslow Jones, who previously owned the Carriage House.