Many will remember the opening lines of the famous 1977 film Star Wars 'A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…' Many will also remember the iconic poster created by the illustrator Tim Hildebrandt who once lived in this characterful property in northern New Jersey.

10 Jackson Avenue in Peapack Gladstone is listed with Michele Hill at Turpin Realtors who says of this home:

Custom-built in the late 1800s for John Bodine, 10 Jackson Avenue is a historic home located in the heart of Gladstone. Bodine was a master builder and the town’s mayor; the home is sited on land sub-divided from the property next door which was owned by his aunts.

After Bodine moved, the home had several owners including Tim Hildebrandt, a famous illustrator who was best known for the early Star Wars movie posters. Hildebrandt left his mark on the home in several ways: a mural he painted in one of the bedrooms, a movie using the home as a backdrop, and several children’s books with illustrations of the home.

In recent years, the home had fallen into disrepair until the current owner purchased the property in 2019. With its high ceilings, deep baseboards, gracious primary rooms, gleaming wood floors throughout and extensive millwork, this home has been restored to its former grandeur. Great care was taken to install antique doors and hardware in keeping with the home’s 19th century aesthetic. Additionally, all the original hardware, knobs and back plates throughout the house were painstakingly cleaned and polished.

Original double doors on the wraparound porch open to a foyer featuring an ornate stairwell detailed with a stained glass window and board and batten millwork. The formal living room is on the left, where original pocket doors separate it from the dining room. A bay window, door to the porch, chair rails, deep baseboards and built-in cabinets are featured in the dining room. The family room has the high original tin ceiling, plus access to a private renovated side porch and updated powder room.

Totally renovated in 2019, the gourmet kitchen contains Wood-Mode cabinetry, Carrera marble countertops, bevelled edge subway tiles, white pine flooring, a French farm sink, Italian convection gas stove and a custom exhaust hood.

All the materials used on the second story were carefully selected to be in keeping with the home’s vintage character. This level has high ceilings, three bedrooms and two new baths. A hall leads to the charming upper porch and a rear staircase to the kitchen.

The third floor offers great versatile living space; two bedrooms and a common gathering area provide lots of additional square footage. In keeping with a Victorian home built in this era, the third floor features a turret and interesting ceiling lines.

Outside, a newly-expanded deck features stairs to an antique garden gate revealing a lush yard with beautiful perennial plants and flowering trees. The original barn is there too-- it is the last part of this remarkable property waiting for the future owner’s special touch.

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