Local History: Pleasant Days in Short Hills

The postcard collection at the Millburn-Short Hills Historical Society museum at the Short Hills train station provides many unique images of early Millburn-Short Hills, particularly through real-photo postcards such as the one seen here of "Pleasant Days."

Pleasant Days was built by Pierre Noel, who reportedly held on its grounds the first polo game in the country. He sold the property to the Feigenspan brewing family, who in turn sold it to real estate mogul Joseph P. Day in 1907.

An overstoked furnace led to its destruction by fire in 1911, after which Day built a mansion on the grounds. Day's mansion was demolished and another house was built on the site. Day died in 1944 and in 1949 the house and gardens were purchased by Peter P Blanchard, Jr. and his wife. Adelaide Childs Frick Blanchard.

The Old Short Hills Road property, the landscape of which was designed by William Whetten Renwick, is now home to the beautiful Greenwood Gardens.