Gladstone's Hamilton Farm Stable Complex Listed as Historic Place

Tue, 06/19/2018 - 01:09
U.S.A.
USET Headquarters at Hamilton Farm in Gladstone, NJ

The Hamilton Farm stable complex, better known as the US Equestrian Team Headquarters in Gladstone, New Jersey, has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places. 

Located in Bedminster Township, Somerset County, NJ, this complex has four contributing buildings in the nomination: the stable, outdoor riding ring, garage, blacksmith shop and residence. Most significant is the stable. It is 37,670 sq.ft. on 3 levels, built by architect William Weissenberger, Jr. Its masonry walls made it fireproof.

The original farm dates back to 1911, when Wall Street financier James Cox Brady purchased 180 acres in New Jersey for $100 per acre only 50 miles outside of New York City. It was said that Brady initially spent $1 million on developing the property. He named the farm after his wife, Elizabeth Jane Hamilton Brady.

The barns were completed in 1913, with the main stable (headquarters of the USET Foundation of today) built in 1916. Brady continued to add on to his estate, and it eventually reached 5,000 acres and spanned three counties. The stable grew in the 1920’s, and every animal was an outstanding specimen of its breed. Dairy and beef cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks, and geese were raised at Hamilton Farms, but Brady was especially interested in horses.

The famous stable is made of brick and concrete and is reinforced with steel. The ornate interior includes carriage rooms, tile walls, terrazzo floors and brass fittings. There are 54 stalls, and the barn originally had 40 other rooms: tack rooms, offices and living quarters. The central entrance leads through to a tiled octagonal foyer, with a split-level stable on the left and the former carriage section on the right.

The United States Equestrian Team was formed in 1950 and finally found a permanent training base in 1961 at Hamilton Farm.

Read a full history of the building here.

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