Pleasantdale Château Designated An Historic Landmark

Mayor John McKeon joined members of the West Orange Historical Preservation Commission and the Knowles family, owners of The Manor, Highlawn Pavilion and Pleasantdale Château on September 30 in a ceremony that designated the C.W. Nichols Estate and Pleasantdale Farm an official historic landmark.

A plaque on the lawn in front of Pleasantdale Château, the Normandy-inspired former estate of industrial magnate C.W. Nichols and current wedding and special events venue owned by the Knowles, was unveiled as part of the ceremony.

In 1959, the house was left to the board of directors of his company, Allied Chemical, and was used as an exclusive, corporate training retreat. In 1994, the Knowles family acquired the property, keeping its elegance and rich history intact and updating it to meet the needs of the discerning public for use as a special occasion venue, which included the addition of the Château’s Grand Ballroom.

In keeping with the property’s earlier roots, as farmland maintained by Dutch settlers in the 1800s, Pleasantdale Château maintains a farm and apiary on its grounds that provide fresh produce for our events and other local area restaurants operated by the Knowles including Highlawn Pavilion and The Manor.

For more information about Pleasantdale Chateau, contact Michael Mahle at mmahle@knowlesrestaurants.com or 973-325-1400 x155.