Wilhelm Property

Photograph of the Unity Feast at the Wilhelm Property, 1912.

The Wilhelm Property is located near Teaneck, West Englewood, New Jersey. It is notable for being visited by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá during His visit to America in 1912 and hosting the Annual Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, held to commemorate His visit.

History

The Wilhelm property was designed and constructed by Louis Bourgeois for Roy C. Wilhelm and his parents in 1909. The Wilhelm's began hosting Bahá'í meetings in the home after settling in.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited the property during his visit to the United States in June 1912 towards the end of his time in New York. He had held a banquet at the Great Northern Hotel in New York City, and expressed his desire to hold a Feast in the countryside. A committee was formed to organize the Feast, and they organized for it to be held at the Wilhelm property on June 29th.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá traveled to the property from Montclair via streetcars on the 29th, and the Unity Feast was held that day. Food was served and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá anointed the attendees with attar of roses and gave a talk. He also gave a second evening talk. Notes of the first talk were published in Promulgation of Universal Peace in 1922, and in 1992 notes of the second evening address were discovered in the archives of Martha Root, which were recited for the first time at the Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá that year.

During His visit ‘Abdu’l-Bahá reportedly told Roy and his mother that their house was blessed, and he referred to the property in a 1913 Tablet revealed for Roy, which also noted the holding of the first annual commemoration of the 1912 Unity Feast:

"O thou, my dear son! Thy letter, dated July 3, 1913, was received. Its contents indicated the firmness and steadfastness of the believers of God and told of the holding of a divine meeting in your radiant, charming country place. Praise be to God, that that day was spent in the utmost joy and happiness. That annual memorial meeting will be the souvenir of Abdul-Baha, especially when it is passed with infinite delight and gladness."

An example program of the Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá would consist of prayers, music, a reading of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's afternoon address, and a talk on the Faith. The annual Souvenir continues to be held to this day.

Roy donated the property to the National Spiritual Assembly of the US & Canada and the Assembly used it as its National Office. It was used to hold meetings, and was also used by the Treasurer, usually Roy, to conduct their work, and to house records. In 1939 the National Spiritual Assembly established its National Office in Wilmette, Illinois, and moved the facilities at the Wilhelm property there. In the 1940's the property was expanded through the efforts of William deForge, with two lots being purchased which linked it to the nearby Grove of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá which had been purchased by the Bahá'ís for the construction of a memorial of the visit.

References

• A Brief History of Roy Wilhelm and the Annual Souvenir Picnic of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá by Joel Nizin, article published on Official Website of the Wilhelm Properties