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 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. |
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