Preserving Pitney Farm-SD by Paul Sanderson

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Before there was a Mendham, New Jersey (1749), there was Pitney Farm (1720). The “Pitney Oak”, an  old  oak  tree  that  stood  at  the  intersection  of  Mendham  Road  East  (Route  24)  and  Cold  Hill Road  until  1984,  was  the  marker  from  which  surveys  establishing  much  of  present  day  Mendham property boundaries were delineated. The property exemplifies Mendham’s agricultural past and many residents now live on what was once part of Pitney Farm.

What has transpired on and around Pitney Farm since 1720 is a reflection of our town and its evolution from  a  rural  farming  community  to  a  residential  suburb.  Pitney  Farm  has  stood  through  this  nation’s history,  its  war  for  independence,  its  expansion  from  13  colonies  to  fifty  states,  its  civil  war,  and  two world wars. It has born witness to an ever changing economic landscape of agricultural boons and busts, and an industrial revolution. Many  of  the  eleven  generations  of Pitneys to live on the property responded to the challenges of their times and distinguished themselves through  their  participation  and  leadership.

Paul Sanderson, Videographer
As producer/director and president of Our Town Films, Paul Sanderson has enjoyed considerable success in creating television documentaries and educational programs. Since founding Our Town Films in 1992, Mr. Sanderson has won over 30 national awards, including nine CINE Golden Eagles. The Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. has honored Mr. Sanderson by placing one of his films in its permanent collection. His programs have appeared on NBC, PBS, The Discovery Channel, A&E Network, The History Channel and CNBC.