Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge
Encyclopedia
Ethel Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge (April 3, 1882 – August 13, 1973) was the youngest child of Almira Geraldine Goodsell and William Avery Rockefeller, Jr.
, the Standard Oil
tycoon. Giralda Farms
was the name given to her New Jersey
country estate, stables, and kennels. Her residence was a revival of Medieval Spanish Gothic architecture
style with appointments resembling Giralda
. The vast estate was known internationally for horse and dog shows. Saint Hubert's at Giralda, founded on her estate, became her refuge for injured and lost animals. Among other patronages, Saint Hubert was the patron saint of hunters and dogs. She also was a great patron of the arts and parts of her collection became the object of a lawsuit following her death.
She married Marcellus Hartley Dodge, Sr.
, president of The Remington Arms Company and, she brought into the marriage an estimated personal fortune of $101 million. They were married on April 18, 1907 in Manhattan
, where both resided, in a small ceremony at the residence of the bride's family, following the contemporary customs dictated by a mourning period after the death of the groom's father in February. The couple had only one child, Marcellus Hartley Dodge, Jr.
, whom they called "Hartley". He was killed in an automobile accident on August 29, 1930 in Mogesca, France
. In his memory, his mother purchased a large parcel of land for twenty thousand dollars and gave Madison, New Jersey
the property and the Hartley Dodge Memorial Building which was dedicated on Memorial Day, Thursday, May 30, 1935 and used as the borough hall. The New York Times
published that the building cost eight hundred thousand dollars. Mrs. Dodge also donated the train station. These structures became the core of the Madison Civic Commercial District
, which is listed on the State Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places
. They made many other significant donations in his name. During the early part of their marriage they resided together at Hartley Farms. Eventually, while in New Jersey
, they resided on separate, but abutting, country estates: Giralda Farms and Hartley Farms hers fronting the main route from Madison
to Morristown
and extending to his that faced south and fronted on Spring Valley Road in New Vernon
. A long private path extended for miles from one house to the other with gates at either side of Woodland Road, which defined the southern boundary of her property.
She died in 1973. She was buried on Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
.
She was the author of two books, The English Cocker Spaniel
in America, and The German Shepherd Dog
in America, the latter of which was a collaboration with her curator of art, Josephine Z. Rine.
She was recognized as a philanthropist
, a benefactor to communities, the arts, nonprofit and natural resource efforts, as an author, a judge of dogs, a breeder of dogs, the founder of the Morris and Essex Dog Club and its internationally recognized annual exhibition in May that was considered the most prestigious dog show held in the United States of America for decades, and the founder of a refuge for injured and lost animals. She also was one of the founders of the Seeing Eye Foundation
in Morristown
, in 1929, the first guide dog school in the country from which the ubiquitous term, seeing eye dog
, originated.
, which continues her work, including the Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival
.
Unfortunately, the historic residence of Geraldine R. Dodge was demolished by the insurance company that bought the estate following her death. The grande home was built in the style of Giralda
in Seville
. She had purchased it in 1923 from Charles W. Harkness
, the third largest holder of stock in Standard Oil while she and her husband were assembling properties that adjoined. Mr. Dodge's property extended to the edge of the Great Swamp
that is a remnant from the Glacial Lake Passaic
. His property has been preserved through a conservation easement
and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
They were instrumental in helping those in the Jersey Jetport Site Association, which began the campaign to save that vast swamp from development as an airport, by providing funds for the initial purchases of core properties in 1959. http://www.tentowns.org/10t/suststew.htm Acquisition of a significant area of land was required for it to qualify as a large enough gift to the federal government that could be set aside, forever, as a federal park.
Her husband was one of the first trustees of the North American Wildlife Foundation that completed the acquisition. Legislation
championed by then congressman Stewart L. Udall was passed on November 3, 1960 protecting the important natural resource. In 1964 the park was dedicated by Udall, who had become Secretary of the Interior
to president John F. Kennedy
and continued under Lyndon B. Johnson
. http://www.fws.gov/news/historic/1964/19640525b.pdf The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
was dedicated in 1968 and named the M. Hartley Dodge Wildlife Refuge. http://www.greatswamp.org/
William Rockefeller
William Avery Rockefeller, Jr. , American financier, was a co-founder with his older brother John D. Rockefeller of the prominent United States Rockefeller family. He was the son of William Avery Rockefeller, Sr. and Eliza Rockefeller.-Youth, education:Rockefeller was born in Richford, New York,...
, the Standard Oil
Standard Oil
Standard Oil was a predominant American integrated oil producing, transporting, refining, and marketing company. Established in 1870 as a corporation in Ohio, it was the largest oil refiner in the world and operated as a major company trust and was one of the world's first and largest multinational...
tycoon. Giralda Farms
Giralda Farms
Giralda Farms was the estate of Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge in Madison, New Jersey. She would hold dog shows at the property. After her death it was converted into a corporate park containing the headquarters for Wyeth, Schering Plough, Maersk and other corporations....
was the name given to her New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
country estate, stables, and kennels. Her residence was a revival of Medieval Spanish Gothic architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
style with appointments resembling Giralda
Giralda
thumb|right|The Giralda at its various stages of construction: Almohad , Medieval Christian , and Renaissance .The Giralda is a former minaret that was converted to a bell tower for the Cathedral of Seville in Seville...
. The vast estate was known internationally for horse and dog shows. Saint Hubert's at Giralda, founded on her estate, became her refuge for injured and lost animals. Among other patronages, Saint Hubert was the patron saint of hunters and dogs. She also was a great patron of the arts and parts of her collection became the object of a lawsuit following her death.
Biography
She was born Ethel Geraldine Rockefeller, in New York City, New York on April 3, 1882 to Almira Geraldine Goodsell and William Avery Rockefeller, Jr.William Rockefeller
William Avery Rockefeller, Jr. , American financier, was a co-founder with his older brother John D. Rockefeller of the prominent United States Rockefeller family. He was the son of William Avery Rockefeller, Sr. and Eliza Rockefeller.-Youth, education:Rockefeller was born in Richford, New York,...
She married Marcellus Hartley Dodge, Sr.
Marcellus Hartley Dodge, Sr.
Marcellus Hartley Dodge, Sr. was the chairman of the board of Remington Arms Company and a member of the family associated with the Phelps Dodge Corporation. He also was president of the Y.M.C.A.-Biography:...
, president of The Remington Arms Company and, she brought into the marriage an estimated personal fortune of $101 million. They were married on April 18, 1907 in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, where both resided, in a small ceremony at the residence of the bride's family, following the contemporary customs dictated by a mourning period after the death of the groom's father in February. The couple had only one child, Marcellus Hartley Dodge, Jr.
Marcellus Hartley Dodge, Jr.
Marcellus Hartley Dodge, Jr. was the heir to the Remington-Rockefeller fortune who died in a car accident in France...
, whom they called "Hartley". He was killed in an automobile accident on August 29, 1930 in Mogesca, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. In his memory, his mother purchased a large parcel of land for twenty thousand dollars and gave Madison, New Jersey
Madison, New Jersey
Madison is a borough in Morris County, New Jersey, in the United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the population was 16,530. It also is known as "The Rose City".-Geography:Madison is located at ....
the property and the Hartley Dodge Memorial Building which was dedicated on Memorial Day, Thursday, May 30, 1935 and used as the borough hall. The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
published that the building cost eight hundred thousand dollars. Mrs. Dodge also donated the train station. These structures became the core of the Madison Civic Commercial District
Madison Civic Commercial District
The Madison Civic Commercial District is a area of downtown Madison, New Jersey, United States. It includes 450 buildings and one structure in an area roughly bounded by Main Street , Kings Road, Green Avenue, Waverly Place, Lincoln Place and Prospect Street.It had been the historic core of...
, which is listed on the State Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. They made many other significant donations in his name. During the early part of their marriage they resided together at Hartley Farms. Eventually, while in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, they resided on separate, but abutting, country estates: Giralda Farms and Hartley Farms hers fronting the main route from Madison
Madison, New Jersey
Madison is a borough in Morris County, New Jersey, in the United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the population was 16,530. It also is known as "The Rose City".-Geography:Madison is located at ....
to Morristown
Morristown, New Jersey
Morristown is a town in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 18,411. It is the county seat of Morris County. Morristown became characterized as "the military capital of the American Revolution" because of its strategic role in the...
and extending to his that faced south and fronted on Spring Valley Road in New Vernon
New Vernon, New Jersey
New Vernon is an unincorporated area located in Harding Township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. The village is within the boundaries of Harding Township along with a portion of Green Village. It is the location of the governmental offices for Harding Township...
. A long private path extended for miles from one house to the other with gates at either side of Woodland Road, which defined the southern boundary of her property.
She died in 1973. She was buried on Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Sleepy Hollow, New York is the resting place of numerous famous figures, including Washington Irving, whose story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is set in the adjacent Old Dutch Burying Ground. Incorporated in 1849 as Tarrytown Cemetery, it posthumously honored Irving's...
.
Dogs
Geraldine R. Dodge judged at major dog shows in every American state as well as the premier shows in Germany, Canada, Ireland, and England. She was the first woman invited to judge for the Westminster Kennel Club, where she was invited to judge the Best in Show. http://www.morrisandessex.com/Cap%20Story%20Page%201.htmShe was the author of two books, The English Cocker Spaniel
English Cocker Spaniel
The English Cocker Spaniel is a breed of gun dog. The English Cocker Spaniel is an active, good-natured, sporting dog, standing well up at the withers and compactly built. There are "field" or "working" cockers and "show" cockers...
in America, and The German Shepherd Dog
German Shepherd Dog
The German Shepherd Dog , also known as an Alsatian or just the German Shepherd, is a breed of large-sized dog that originated in Germany. The German Shepherd is a relatively new breed of dog, with its origin dating to 1899. As part of the Herding Group, the German Shepherd is a working dog...
in America, the latter of which was a collaboration with her curator of art, Josephine Z. Rine.
She was recognized as a philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
, a benefactor to communities, the arts, nonprofit and natural resource efforts, as an author, a judge of dogs, a breeder of dogs, the founder of the Morris and Essex Dog Club and its internationally recognized annual exhibition in May that was considered the most prestigious dog show held in the United States of America for decades, and the founder of a refuge for injured and lost animals. She also was one of the founders of the Seeing Eye Foundation
The Seeing Eye
The Seeing Eye, Inc. is a guide dog school that is located in Morristown, New Jersey in the United States. It was founded in 1929 as the first guide dog school in the country...
in Morristown
Morristown, New Jersey
Morristown is a town in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 18,411. It is the county seat of Morris County. Morristown became characterized as "the military capital of the American Revolution" because of its strategic role in the...
, in 1929, the first guide dog school in the country from which the ubiquitous term, seeing eye dog
Seeing Eye Dog
Seeing Eye Dog is the seventh studio album by Helmet, released on September 7, 2010 via Work Song, the label imprint shared by singer/songwriter Joe Henry and Helmet mainman Page Hamilton's manager...
, originated.
Legacy
At her death she left $85 million to establish the Geraldine R. Dodge FoundationGeraldine R. Dodge Foundation
The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation was created in 1973 with an $85 million bequest following the death on August 13, 1973, of Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge. Dodge was the youngest child of Standard Oil tycoon William Rockefeller and Almira Geraldine Goodsell....
, which continues her work, including the Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival
Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival
The biennial Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival is the largest poetry event in North America.-Background:The four-day celebrations of poetry have been called “poetry heaven” by the 1995–1997 US Poet Laureate Robert Hass, “a new Woodstock” by the Christian Science Monitor, and “Wordstock” by The...
.
Giralda
thumb|right|The Giralda at its various stages of construction: Almohad , Medieval Christian , and Renaissance .The Giralda is a former minaret that was converted to a bell tower for the Cathedral of Seville in Seville...
in Seville
Seville
Seville is the artistic, historic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain. It is the capital of the autonomous community of Andalusia and of the province of Seville. It is situated on the plain of the River Guadalquivir, with an average elevation of above sea level...
. She had purchased it in 1923 from Charles W. Harkness
Charles W. Harkness
Charles William Harkness was the son of Stephen V. Harkness, an original investor in the company that became Standard Oil, and his second wife, the former Anna M. Richardson....
, the third largest holder of stock in Standard Oil while she and her husband were assembling properties that adjoined. Mr. Dodge's property extended to the edge of the Great Swamp
Great Swamp
Great Swamp may refer to:* United States:** Great Swamp, New Jersey see Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and Glacial Lake Passaic until an article is created that features the entire swamp and its nature** Great Swamp...
that is a remnant from the Glacial Lake Passaic
Glacial Lake Passaic
Glacial Lake Passaic was a prehistoric proglacial lake that existed in northern New Jersey in the United States at the end of the last ice age approximately 19,000-14,000 years ago...
. His property has been preserved through a conservation easement
Conservation easement
In the United States, a conservation easement is an encumbrance — sometimes including a transfer of usage rights — which creates a legally enforceable land preservation agreement between a landowner and a government agency or a qualified land...
and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
They were instrumental in helping those in the Jersey Jetport Site Association, which began the campaign to save that vast swamp from development as an airport, by providing funds for the initial purchases of core properties in 1959. http://www.tentowns.org/10t/suststew.htm Acquisition of a significant area of land was required for it to qualify as a large enough gift to the federal government that could be set aside, forever, as a federal park.
Her husband was one of the first trustees of the North American Wildlife Foundation that completed the acquisition. Legislation
Legislation
Legislation is law which has been promulgated by a legislature or other governing body, or the process of making it...
championed by then congressman Stewart L. Udall was passed on November 3, 1960 protecting the important natural resource. In 1964 the park was dedicated by Udall, who had become Secretary of the Interior
United States Secretary of the Interior
The United States Secretary of the Interior is the head of the United States Department of the Interior.The US Department of the Interior should not be confused with the concept of Ministries of the Interior as used in other countries...
to president John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
and continued under Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
. http://www.fws.gov/news/historic/1964/19640525b.pdf The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is located in Morris County, New Jersey. Established in 1960, it is one of more than 550 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System.The refuge was declared a National Natural Landmark in May 1966...
was dedicated in 1968 and named the M. Hartley Dodge Wildlife Refuge. http://www.greatswamp.org/