Fred and Ethel Noyes of Smithville, New Jersey: The Artist and the Entrepreneuer

Thousands of visitors every year flock to theHistoric Smithville Inn and Village to enjoy restaurants, shops and festivals.The story behind Smithville-the remarkable efforts of its founders, Fred andEthel Noyes-is as colorful as the village itself. Fred was a World War IIveteran and artist with a rambunctious personality. Ethel was an unstoppablevisionary and self-made businesswoman. Together, they restored the SmithvilleInn and, over the years, added the historic village. Ethel ran the enterprisewith a notoriously tight grip, while the garrulous Fred painted, collecteddecoys and was the mainstay. They went on to build the Ram’s Head Inn and theNoyes Museum of Art. Fred and Ethel left a lasting legacy for the people of NewJersey. Author Judy Courter tells the story of this fascinating couple throughthe memories of family, friends and employees.