John Lovel-Smith General grounds, gardens and buildings John Lovel graduated Cook College of Rutgers University with a B.S. in Horticulture in 1980. In 1986 he completed the New Jersey State Electrical apprentice training program to qualify as a Journeyman Electrician. Using his B.S. in Horticulture, John maintained the property and the many gardens of the Van Wickle house. His knowledge and skills in many differing trades proved invaluable in understanding the workings of the Foundations seven historic structures and the properties on which they sit. Whether working with plants, and garden tools, or hammer , drill and saw, John shares his knowledge generously while volunteering on a variety of projects. John was a volunteer at the Rutgers University Gardens for a three-year period. There he met a number of the Meadows Foundation Board Members who were also volunteers. When the Van Wickle House caretaker left, Board Members asked him to be the new resident-caretaker. That was 10 years ago. Since caretakers cannot serve as Foundation board members due to conflict of interest, John has given his time serving on committees for most of the nine years that he was a caretaker at the Van Wickle House. It is no surprise that John earned the 2003 Meadows Most Valuable Volunteer award. He has been featured in The Star Ledger news article "Living in an Old House and Loving it." When he is not working or volunteering for the Meadows, he hikes with the Sierra Club. John is a past member of the Rutgers outdoor club, South Jersey outdoor club, and Appalachian Mountaineering club. John has told us many times that the most significant part of being a Caretaker, is to, "Become a part of the History of the house. This is a Caretaker’s legacy that will live on into the future." And John has certainly accomplished that.