Taylor & Chris

About Hudson Farm

In 1904 railroad magnate John P. McRoy commissioned the New York architect Clarence Curter to design our twenty-room estate house. The property was an operational dairy farm supporting a herd of 50 Holstein cows.

In 1920, the property was donated to The Hudson Guild, a charitable organization who ran the property as a camp.

On July 10th 1921, creation of the Appalachian Trail was conceived in our estate house, at a meeting, which included the visionaries:

Benton MacKaye, the Massachusetts forester and regional planner, who envisioned and campaigned for the Appalachian Trail. “He recognized that, the ability to cope with nature  directly – unshielded by the weakening wall of civilization – is one of the admitted needs of modern times”.

In the 1990’s rumors spread around the lake that the Hudson Guild Farm property was for sale and that a massive development would soon be built. In 1997, the property found a savior when businessman and philanthropist Peter Kellogg led a group which purchased the farm property and soon added additional land. The Hudson Farm Club now operates as a private year-round outdoor experience for its members with one of the most attractive shooting layouts in the country. The original McRoy mansion, which served as the main lodge of Hudson Guild Farm, was beautifully renovated and restored to serve as the clubhouse. The property now consists of some 4,000 acres in Hopatcong, Byram, and Andover, and preserves an enormous, beautiful swath of northwestern New Jersey. The Hudson Farm Club hosts fundraising activities on its grounds throughout the year and also operates the Hudson Farm Foundation, a strong supporter of many local charities. From the progressive ideals and charitable work of Hudson Guild to the many charitable activities of today’s Hudson Farm Club, this property has experienced a unique history. It is truly a very special part of the Lake Hopatcong community.