The Seward Johnson estate, Jasna Polana, near Princeton, New Jersey, featured extravagant gardens and amenities that rivaled those of a European estate. The landscaping alone cost over three million dollars in the 1970s and included 200-year-old shrubs and trees transplanted from southern plantations. The estate also boasted glass-walled greenhouses that produced orchids and other plants for the Johnsons wherever they stayed.
The formal gardens on the estate were adjacent to a massive game room with a bocce ball court and perennial gardens. Additionally, there was a climate-controlled room for storing original paintings in the house. The centerpiece was an indoor salt-water swimming pool under a glass dome. However, after Seward Johnson’s death, the estate was sold to PGA Tour Inc. and converted into a world-class golf course.
Steve Boehme, a former estate gardener at Jasna Polana, shared his experiences of working at the lavish estate. He reminisced about the extravagant features like the sheep farm, lush gardens, and intricate stone work. The estate’s grandeur left a lasting impact on Boehme, who grew up in modest circumstances in southern New Jersey.
Today, images of Jasna Polana showcase the golf course and special events held there after its conversion. Estate homes like Jasna Polana are rare in modern times, with many eventually becoming public attractions. The legacy of Jasna Polana lives on through its transformation into a prestigious golf course, attracting visitors from around the world.
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Photo credit www.delgazette.com
