Introduction
& Background Discussion
Princeton
Nurseries began as F & F Nursery in Springfield Twp.,
Union County, NJ. In 1911, William Flemer, Sr. felt Union County was
developing so rapidly that he needed to look for a new location. After
looking at areas in Pennsylvania, Long Island, NY, and the Maryland
eastern shore, he decided the Princeton area would best suit their
purpose due to its proximity to the Pennsylvania Railroad and the D
& R Canal (which was in full operation at that time). The Flemers
purchased thousands of acres in the Princeton area and settled on
Kingston (South Brunswick Twp.) for their headquarters. As the
Princeton area began to develop, William Flemer, Jr. began to amass
Princeton Nurseries holdings in the 1960’s in the Upper
Freehold/Allentown area. Subsequently, the headquarters moved to
the Upper Freehold location at Polhemustown Road.
Princeton Nurseries ceased operations in 2010. The plant stock that
remains is currently
under ownership of Select Tree Farms headquartered in
West
Valley, NY.
Commentary
on the Preservation Ceremony, April 18, 2011
by Marc Covitz
I attended this ceremony today along with
close to 100 others variously representing NJ DEP, Mercer County,
Monmouth County, Burlington County, Upper Freehold Twp, Monmouth
Conservation Foundation, and the D & R Greenway.
There were many speeches and "Thank
You's" during the ceremony. All of the Flemers were in attendance and
were given the contract during the ceremony. The actual Closing won’t
take place for another few months so it is not exactly clear yet when
the public will be permitted on the tracts slated for public access.
The most moving speech was from
William (Bill) Flemer IV (standing wearing cap, top right) who noted
that the day was joyous but also sad as it marks the end of an era for
the Flemer family in the nursery business. The family business started
about 100 years ago in Springfield, NJ and was, at one time, the
largest nursery in the country. Bill noted the many accomplishments of
the family business (the development of many unique varieties of shade
and flowering trees, the many agencies and businesses they have been
associated with over the years, the many Flemer family members who have
been
presidents of national and state horticultural and farming
organizations, etc…). He acknowledged the many loyal employees (and
generations of employees) who made running the business possible. Bill
made a point to acknowledge the many Latino employees (especially those
of Puerto Rican descent) who worked on the farm. He said his uncle John
took a special interest in these workers and in the Puerto Rican
culture. It was clear the family saw these folks as more than just
workers. He also spoke of growing up on the farm and how each of his
siblings and their children had special places that they loved on the
land. He said everyone had a name for their own special place on the
farm.
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This
preservation is being called “The
Flemer Entities Preservation
Project.”
It is a 1,900
acre project that is costing a total of
$28
million.
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