Stephen Birch and Family Legacy

Stephen Birch purchased most of the Havemeyer property, and the mansion bears his name today.

Stephen Birch was a close friend of H.O Havemeyer II from a very young age. Stephen's father died when he was young and his education was looked after by Theodore Havemeyer. He would help by working on the farm as a young boy until he went to college at New York University. He soon decided to go into Alaska during the mining rush to make his fortune, and he was funded by the Havemeyers. He was smart and quickly made his fortune in copper mining and would become the president of the Kennecott Copper Company which at its height produced 15% of the world's copper. Birch became President also of several railroad, steamship, and mining companies out west. Birch later came back from Alaska to marry Mary Rand and Henry Havemeyer was his best man at the wedding. With most of his work now in New York City he wanted to move into the area. He therefore decided to purchase the old Havemeyer property including the former Mayer mansion that now bears his name. He raised a successful herd of cattle on the farm as well as some sheep. Stephen Birch left quite a legacy, as the Birch Mansion is named after him to this day. After his death his descendants sold the property to the Ramapo College of New Jersey which would completely change the town. He was also a very influential businessman being named by Harvard as one of the 100 most important businessmen of the 20th century. After his death Stephen Birch Jr. would take over the property. Stephen Birch Jr. was a private man who never married and eventually died in 1970 from injuries he got from falling. After his death, 300 acres of the property and several building were sold to the founders of the Ramapo College of New Jersey.

            Together the families of the Havemeyers, the Mayers, and the Birches would in many ways define the town of Mahwah in its early history. These families had some of the most important business people in the United States, who would interestingly choose to make their homes in Mahwah. Together, they helped to put Mahwah onto the map, by bringing many people, much wealth, and much development to the town. Theodore was the first to come to Mahwah, attracted to its natural beauty and proximity to New York City, and after him many others would follow. It is thanks to them that the Darlington Schoolhouse was built and so many well built roads were constructed in the area. If not for this the town would likely be much smaller and also much different than it is today. The mountainside farm and the presence of so many captains of industry brought a good deal of fame to the once small town of Mahwah. Their longest lasting contribution however, is in the form of the large estate that now serves as the Ramapo College of New Jersey. These families are an important part of Mahwah's history and it is fascinating that such important names as Henry O. Havemeyer, Theodore Havemeyer, and Stephen Birch would live in the town.