Morris Twp., NJ

About This Property

“The Sycamores”: A landmark Greek Revival estate on 3± gently rolling acres with tennis court set along an historic path followed by Washington and his troops in 1777 on their return to Morristown from the Battle of Princeton. The Spring Valley region now stretches from Morris Township through Harding Township and along the edge of Chatham, creating a multi-town neighborhood of other fine estates and handsome historic homesteads. Today, it benefits from the convenience of being minutes to shopping, numerous private schools, cultural events and train service to Manhattan from Morristown, Convent Station, Summit and Short Hills.

The classic residence is a landmark Greek Revival estate, believed built circa 1838 for John and Eliza Bonsall and their six children. In 1898 Charles Scribner II, son of the publishing company founder, purchased the property and a few years later gave it to his only daughter, Louise, upon her marriage to George R.D. Schieffelin, a New York lawyer. The Schieffelins added wings to the original structure, which was again modified in the 1950s when the rear staff wing was detached and moved next door as its own house. Renovated and fully updated by its current owners of almost thirty years, the residence today reflects its heritage in mahogany doors, tall windows, high ceilings, extensive moldings, eight fireplaces and an elegant staircase that rises gently to a generous second floor gallery. On the first floor, an expansive library, living and dining rooms bracket the long entry hall creating an ideal flow for entertaining. A delightful powder room, game room and solarium extend across the back of the house. The kitchen has cream painted wood cabinetry with cream-on-cream glazed tile counters and backsplash. It links to a mudroom and a greenhouse at the rear. On the second floor, five bedrooms include a master suite with fireplace, adjoining full bath with fireplace, shower and separate tub, and adjacent sitting room/office. Two generous bedrooms are linked by a bath. The fourth, as a suite, includes a fireplace, a sitting room with its own fireplace and a private bath. A separate hall includes a walk-in closet, bedroom and bath off the rear stairway. In the basement are laundry facilities and a wine cellar with natural cooling, configured from the foundation for one of the wings.