Mrs. John (Gertrude) Taylor was active in many organizations, but she is best known for her generosity in giving Taylor Park to the community in memory of her deceased husband.
The 13-acre area in the center of town was purchased by Mrs. Taylor from Mrs. Elizabeth Whittingham, who charged only its assessed value, which was less than 50 percent of its then market value.
The open land Mrs. Taylor purchased in 1923 was largely flat with the west branch of the Rahway River running through it. At first there had been homes along the east side of Main Street and later several mills were built there. By the 1890s there were also some tenements, but by the time Mrs. Taylor bought the land, most tenements and mills on the site had been demolished.
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The landscaping and planting of the park were supervised by the Shade Tree
Commission, which was created for that purpose. The landscape architect was the younger Olmstead of the famous landscape architect family that created most of America's parks.
Mrs. Taylor not only paid for the land and its landscaping, but presented it fully equipped with swimming pool, tennis courts, playground, and baseball diamond.
This dedication program in the collection of the Millburn-Short Hills Historical Society indicates that the dedication of the park took place on May 20, 1924. Brian F. Philpot made the presentation on behalf of Mrs. Taylor on Decoration Day in 1924, and Dean Emery made the speech of dedication. In his speech he said, "This is your park. Care for it, protect it, and guard it."
