CLOSTER, N.J.—On Dec. 7, Closter’s Lindgren School and Summer Camp is inviting alumni and their families to celebrate its 75 years of serving the community, often now with third generation children. Still family-owned and operated by Adri Lindgren Turrell, the school adheres to its original vision: “The Lindgren mission is to awaken and cultivate, in every child, his or her imagination, confidence and joy.”
In 1944 during World War II, Jean and Theodore Lindgren realized that children needed a safe, joyful place to be while both parents helped with the war efforts, that peaceful, comforting surroundings were vital for them to become playful learners and empathetic, socially responsible people. Today, young children need a safe haven to buffer the stress of modern life.
According to a history on the school’s website, “The Lindgren Nursery School began in the fall of 1944 in the guest house of the Bentkamp Estate on Hickory Lane in Closter. Originally one of the Nagle homes, the estate was built in 1745 and consisted of 350 acres of woods and open fields stretching from Piermont Road to Anderson Avenue. At that time Hickory Lane was a dirt road.
“The grounds consisted of horse stables with 20 horses and trails for hiking and sledding with the children. The Lindgren family had chickens and a few goats as well as a vegetable garden, to help with the wartime food rationing. The students were fed nice fresh vegetables in the fall and warm home-canned tomato juice in the winter. The children enjoyed the farm environment so much so that The Lindgren School has kept it going, even now.”
By 1949 the number of students at the Lindgren School had grown significantly, and the school needed a new location.
The Lindgrens purchased a sand quarry in Closter, part of the old Harold Gill farm, where there was not a single tree or blade of grass. They planted 3,500 trees, created gardens and lawns, and built the school with the help of friends and neighbors. Theodore was the carpenter and Jean was the mason.
After 75 years of updates and additions, located next to the 135-acre Closter Nature Center, Lindgren is an oasis with large sunny classrooms, a natural sand playground, natural wood climbers, flowerbeds, vegetable gardens, and barns and pastures for the farm animals, all a rich environment for learning.
Upcoming events celebrate Lindgren School’s 75th
On Dec. 7, Lindgren School’s Annual Holiday Craft Fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring unique holiday gifts created by over 25 local artisans. The event will also include events for children, food trucks, live music, and photo ops with the 1970s VW Lindgren bus. Proceeds benefit the Lindgren School Scholarship Fund.
The same day, from 3–7 p.m., the school will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a live band, bonfire, complimentary seasonal dinner fare and more. Alumni interested in attending the anniversary celebration should email admin@lindgrenschool.com or call (201) 768-3550.
Lindgren is at 211 Irving Ave. in Closter, off Piermont Road.