History in the Making
A New Era Begins For Legendary Estate
In 1908 Dr. Fahnestock purchased the 115 acre farm in Shrewsbury and named the property Shadow Brook Farm.
Dr. Ernest Fahnestock (pronounced "fan"stock) was born in New York City in January 1876, the son of Harris and Margaret Antoinette Fahnestock. His father was a noted financier, enjoying a close relationship with the federal government during the Civil War. Ernest received his pre-medical education at Harvard and studied medicine at Columbia, graduating in 1900. He was a surgeon and a patron of varied medical and welfare organizations.
The George W. Stillwell farm, established in 1852, spanned both sides of "Stone Road" (now Broad Street). Dr. Fahnestock engaged partnered architects Lewis Colt Albro & Harrie T. Lindeberg to design a Georgian style mansion as well as the farm buildings, and construction was completed in the summer of 1910. With the purchase of the farm, Dr. Fahnestock turned a working crop farm into a gentleman's country estate.
Shadow Brook Farm · Shrewsbury, New Jersey
The Founding Family
Dr. & Mrs. Fahnestock
Dr. Ernest Fahnestock
Surgeon & Patron
Georgette Fahnestock
Married February 15, 1905He married Georgette (De Grove) Perry, a widow with two children, on February 15, 1905 in New York. Together they had two daughters, Mildred Helen and Evelyn.
Dr. Fahnestock's rise in medicine included chairmanship of the executive committee of Misercicordia Hospital and positions at St. Vincent's and the Foundling Hospital in New York. He was a contributor and honorary member of the Shrewsbury Fire Company, served on the borough's zoning committee, and endowed a medal for bravery for the New York Police Department.
The Estate By The Numbers
A Gentleman's Country Estate
The Mansion
A Georgian Residence of Rare Grace
The 25 room main residence was a five-bay, hipped-roof Colonial Revival, with segmental arches over the door and third-story dormers. Wings on each side were fronted by open piazzas. It was reported that the mansion was built at a cost of more than $200,000.00.
The mansion is set back from the road about 1,000 feet and is approached over a winding blue stone driveway lined with large maple trees. Landscape architects Pitkin & Weinrichter planned a carriage drive to sweep about the entire group of buildings in a more or less irregular "U" shape, leading from the public road and back to it again.
- First FloorA large entrance hall, beamed ceiling, oak paneled living room with large fireplace, tiled floor gunroom, dining room, butler's pantry, kitchen and flower room.
- Second FloorSeven master bedrooms and six tiled baths — four of the bedrooms with fireplaces.
- The GardensA fountain and formal gardens at the rear, a 100-foot-square rose garden with over 100 varieties blooming from early spring until frost, and a formal English cutting garden.
Through The Decades
From Farm to Fine Dining
The George W. Stillwell farm is established along "Stone Road," now Broad Street.
Dr. Fahnestock purchases the 115 acre farm and names it Shadow Brook Farm.
An additional 65 acres are purchased at $425.00 per acre, for a total of 180 acres.
The estate is sold to Ray H. Stillman, who that December sells the main home and 10 acres to Frederick Thorngreen.
Fred Thorngreen opens Shadow Brook Inn — a modern restaurant, hotel and night club.
Rod Keller and Robert Downs purchase the restaurant and rename it Shadowbrook — known to locals as Rod's Shadowbrook.
The Regency Room is added, giving Shadowbrook the ability to host two separate events.
The Zweben family — Sidney and his sons Sandy and Robert — become the new owners.
Major renovations begin, using original and authentic materials to evoke the early 1900's.
A Storied Legacy
Elegant Atmosphere. Legendary Guests.
Rod's Shadowbrook enjoyed success and a stellar reputation for its elegant atmosphere and gourmet cuisine. The Oak Room was expanded so the main dining area with beamed ceiling and paneled walls included a wide expanse of windows overlooking gardens with a pergola and miniature lake. A Bride's Room was designed on the second floor for wedding party use.
It has been said that the guest list at Shadowbrook has included such notables as:
Frank Sinatra, Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen, Henry Mancini, Leroy Neiman, Robert Kennedy and Vice-President Walter Mondale.
The Zweben family acquired the brass handrails leading down the grand staircase, along with the art deco chandeliers and wall sconces that grace the Regency Room, from the Paramount Theater in New York City. Restored antique doors standing 11.5 feet high open onto the foyer, whose showpiece is a honeycombed wood ceiling brought back from an English castle.
From The Archives
Shadowbrook Through the Years
Your Chapter Awaits
Celebrate Where History Is Made
For more than a century, Shadowbrook has welcomed celebrations of every kind. Discover the estate for yourself and begin planning your own unforgettable day.