THE LINDENWOOD CARPENDER HOUSE

The University Inn and Conference Center had its beginnings in 1965, when Rutgers acquired the Sydney B. Carpender Lindenwood estate, 21 acres of beautifully landscaped property on which stood a 20-room residence.

To this, was attached a modern addition completed in 1969. The addition has 36 bedrooms with an overnight capacity of 63, a spacious lobby, lounge, dining room and large conference room (each with a capacity of 100), kitchen, and elevator. The Center also has a recreation area on the first floor, complete with shuffleboard, pool table, table tennis, and game tables for cards and chess.

The Carpender House, known as Lindenwood, has a fireplace in almost every room, and now contains six conference rooms, two of which are located on the second floor (the former living room and dining room) along with a sun porch and large front hall. Bedrooms on the third floor have been converted into small conference rooms, ideal for breakout sessions, and administrative offices.

Lindenwood was built just before World War I for Sydney Bleecker Carpender and his wife, the former Louise Johnson. She was the daughter of James Wood Johnson, who with his brothers Robert Wood and Edward Mead, founded the firm of Johnson & Johnson. Sydney Carpender was born on November 24, 1884, the son of Alice B. and Charles J. Carpender and grandson of Catherine Neilson and Jacob Stout Carpender, who built the original Lindenwood in 1848, for which this estate was named.

One of the most striking features of Lindenwood is the landscape planting provided by Mr. Carpender and his family. Obviously a horticulture enthusiast, he created a delightful man-made environment that has grown in value through the years as a site for study and environmental enrichment.

Today, Lindenwood offers its retreat-like setting for conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, and special receptions, as well as overnight accommodations for visitors to the New Brunswick area.