Caroline "Cara" Rose Foster

1877 - 1979

Farmer; Philanthropist

USA USA

Personal Information

Born: 1877

Died: 1979

Country of Birth: USA

Nationality: USA

Ethnicity: White

Education

Miss Dana's School for Young Laddies 1886-1896

""I could have been a lawyer, but back in my day, women had nothing. All they could do was sit on the piano bench and sew or crochet." (Wikipedia); "I give, devise and bequeath to the COUNTY OF MORRIS, in fee simple, for the use by the Morris County Park Commission, my farm in Morris Township, Morris County, New Jersey, on both sides of the road leading from Morristown to Mendham, intending to include all of my real estate in Morris Township. It is my desire that the use made of the property and its development by the County be kept as simple as possible, and that the natural condition of the property be maintained to the extent possible so that the wildlife and trees and flowers on the property may be protected and preserved for the education and pleasure of the public. It is my further wish that the use be educational and historical rather than recreational, and that there be no food or amusement concessions. I suggest, if it seems desirable, that this property be maintained as a farm." (Wikipedia-Fosterfields);,"

— Caroline "Cara" Rose Foster

Professional Life

Field of Study: Farmer; Philanthropist

Institution/Corporation: Fosterfields Farm

Degrees & Memberships: Member: Washington Association; Washington Valley Community; Madison Historical Society; Canal Society of New Jersey; Morris County golf Club; Morristown Lawn Tennis club; Women's club of Morristown; Morris County Historical Society

Awards & Achievements

Awards: 2009 honored by the National Women's History Project

Achievements: created and donated the first outdoor living historical farm (Fosterfields) in New Jersey; donated her farm so future generations could observe early farming techniques; farm is still working

beginning in 1910 challenged gender roles of the Progressive Era by wearing men's clothing including men's hats, pants, shoes, and tuxedos

was skilled in fishing, writing, local politics, and carpentry

The Temple of Abiding Peace is a cottage and garden in Fosterfields and both were designed, constructed, and established by her

April 1917 her uncle, Sheriff William H. Thompson (1914–16), appointed her as the first female deputy sheriff in Morris County

1921 was elected to the Morris County Republican Committee and held the position until 1961

was very frugal & insisted her relatives should pay for her farm's dairy products like any other consumer

1965 received a permit to purchase a handgun, although she was blind by this time

1972 donated 120 acres of land to the Morris County Park Commission but she retained the right to hay the field

1986 the Friends of Fosterfields & Cooper Mill was formed to help preserve the farm and honor Foster's memory

father refused to allow her to attend college

in her 40s her eyesight began to deteriorate & eventually left her totally blind

1955 she collaborated with historian Barbara Hoskins on the book "Washington Valley: An Informal History" published in 1960 & she had to hire an assistant to read documents to her because she was blind by then

Fosterfields has been a working farm since 1760 & her father purchased it from a grandson of Paul Revere

she lived at Fosterfields for 98 of her 102 years