Dudley Newton

These blueprints of the Birch Mansion were drawn by the Rhode Island architect Dudley Newton.  At the time of the mansion's construction it was called the Mayer Mansion

Architect Dudley Newton was the architect responsible for the incredibly beautiful Birch Mansion.   Born on January 4, 1856 in Newport, Rhode Island. Dudley remained a citizen of Newport until his death in 1907. Newton was trained by fellow architect George C. Mason since childhood.  After many years of practice and studying, under George Mason,  as well as a natural ability Newton opened up his own architecture office at the age of 21.  Throughout his career he became known as an architect who paid attention to every slightest detail and builders knew him as one of the strictest supervisors any of them had ever had.  Dudley Newton designed many buildings in the Rhode Island area, some of which are still standing to this day, as well as some buildings in New Jersey. Some of these building were fire station, a number of churches, a police station and a few a class people from Rhode Island at the time. Theodore Havemeyer financed his buildings in the Mahwah area and spared no expense doing it. These buildings were the Birch Mansion at Ramapo College of New Jersey and the Darlington Schoolhouse in Mahwah, New Jersey.  Both of which are still standing and being actively used to this day. Many of his buildings have been considered to be palaces.  He was not only involved in architecture, later in his life he became a director for Aquldneck National Bank and was heavily involved in his local church.  Newton passed away in 1906 leaving behind a legacy of beautiful buildings considered to be masterpieces.