WEST MILFORD, NJ – At the turn of the 20th century West Milford catered to tourist that flocked to the area for its scenic views and recreational opportunities. Idylease stands as a reminder that the area was a recreational destination.
Over the course of several days in October, Owner/Operator Richard Zampella launched his Mavic Pro drone to capture the fall color show from the skies above the 100 acre estate. Hues of red, orange, purple and yellow mixed with the evergreens surround the historic hotel. The landmark resort hosted Thomas Edison while he working on a magnetic ore excitation device at the Franklin/Ogdensburg mines for the New Jersey Zinc Corporation.
For more information on Idylease visit our website at www.idylease.org.
As the owner and operator of Idylease in West Milford, New Jersey, I understand that I am only a temporary steward of this historic landmark. I am fourth in a line of owner-operators who have made the preservation of this structure part of their life’s work. That responsibility is never far from my daily activity.
Preservation is not simply about saving old buildings. At its best, it allows the past to remain in conversation with the present. Architecture is one of the clearest expressions of history and place. A building holds evidence of the people who lived, worked, recovered, waited, and passed through its rooms.
By preserving historic structures, we preserve more than wood, stone, plaster, and glass. We preserve the spaces where earlier generations lived their lives. These places allow us to encounter the aesthetic, cultural, and human history of another era in a way that cannot be recreated once it is lost.
There is no opportunity to save a historic site after it is gone. And we can never know with certainty what future generations will come to value.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis once said, “If we don’t care about our past, we cannot hope for the future. … I desperately care about saving old buildings.” Her words remain true. Preservation is not nostalgia. It is an act of care directed toward the future.
Every day, I think about my father, Dr. Arthur Zampella, and about Dr. Edgar Day and Dr. Daniel Drake, who came before me at Idylease. I also think about the many people who have passed through its doors since New Year’s Day in 1903.
When my hand runs along the stairway banister, I know other hands have touched the same wood. Patients, doctors, nurses, guests, workers, families, and visitors all left some part of themselves here.
That is where preservation begins for me.
Not with ownership.
With contact.
I am honored to play a small role in the continuing preservation of Idylease, and in carrying this historic landmark forward for future generations.
As a preservationist I am aware that I am only a temporary steward of this historic structure. I have the honor of being the 4th owner of Idylease in a line that dates back to 1903. I am a proponent that past can educate. Architecture as an example, is a direct and substantial representation of history and that places can teach us about our past. By preserving historic structures, we are able to share the very spaces and environments in which the generations before us lived. Preserving historic buildings―whether related to someone famous or recognizably dramatic―strangers are able to witness the aesthetic and cultural history of an area. Old buildings maintain a sense of permanency and heritage. There is no chance to renovate or to save a historic site once it’s gone. And we can never be certain what will be valued in the future. It is a labor of love that I spend my time to ensure that Idylease remains standing for future generations to learn from and enjoy. These past few weeks I spent my days replicating the orginal architectural detailing of the porch columns at Idylease on my wood lathe. My days are often occupied with my effort to restore the structure to its original condition when Idylease opened it door on New Year’s Day in 1903
