Preserving the history of the Wanaque Valley

Local artist Barbara Van Der Sluys was the guest speaker at the West Milford Newcomers Club’s May meeting, held at the West Milford Presbyterian Church. As part of her presentation, “Growing up in the Wanaque Valley,” Van Der Sluys displayed some of her paintings depicting the people, scenes, moods, and wildlife of the Wanaque Valley and the Ramapo Mountains. Her lectures and paintings have helped preserve the history of the people of the valley whose lands and houses, including those of the Wanaque Valley Riding Stable, owned and operated by her family for many years, were acquired by the State of New Jersey in 1981 for the construction of the Monksville Reservoir. “Many times I was painting just before the bulldozers arrived,” said Van Der Sluys.