May 18th, 2010
| N.J. group announces '10 Most Endangered Historic Sites' |
By James Queally/The Star-Ledger
TRENTON — Two 18th century farmhouses in Hunterdon and Middlesex counties have been named to a list of irreplaceable historic sites that are in
imminent danger of being neglected out of existence according to the preservation advocate
group that researches and compiles an annual list of properties it deems endangered.
On Tuesday, Preservation New Jersey announced its 16th annual 10 Most Endangered Historic Sites in New Jersey list, which named the Vought
House in Clinton Township and the Hoagland-Clark House in the Kendall Park section of South Brunswick, along with others across the state.The
announcement was made at Trenton's Old Barracks Museum, a state-owned historic site for which funding has been eliminated in Gov. Chris
Christie's proposed budget, according to Preservation New Jersey. The list is based on three criteria — historic significance and architectural
integrity, the nature of the threat and the likelihood that being on the list would have a positive impact on efforts to protect the site.
Don Sherblom, president of the 1759 Vought House group formed to save the house neglected by years of not being used and to transform it into a
public history museum, confirmed the list's impact. "We're very excited about being on this list because it speaks to the importance of this house to
New Jersey history," Sherblom said. "Being on this list will help us get the support we need from businesses, organizations and volunteers."
The Vought House built in 1759 by Revolutionary War loyalist Christoffel Vought is notable for its wattle and daub (mud and clay) construction and
distinctive plaster ceiling design, which is considered very fragile because of a leaking and partially collapsed roof, Sherblom said.
The remaining sites on this year's most endangered list include:
• The Blue Chapel Monastery of the Perpetual Rosary's Sisters of St. Dominick in Union City, Hudson County.
• The Bridgeton Free Public Library in Bridgeton, Cumberland County.
• The Graydon Pool in Graydon Park, Ridgewood, Bergen County.
• Hurstmont in Harding Township, Morris County, a turn-of-the-century estate designed by the firm of McKim, Mead and White, which also
designed New York City's Pennsylvania Station.
• The Plume House in Essex County, Newark's second oldest building.
• Trenton Central High School in Trenton, Mercer County
In addition to those properties, Preservation New Jersey said that classic historic diners statewide are being abandoned, demolished and relocated
at an alarming rate, and that historic windows are being replaced as a result of encouragement
by what it said is incorrect energy-efficiency tax credit literature.
For more local news or to share your own news, events and comments,
visit www.flemington.injersey.com
Walter O'Brien: 908-243-6613;
wobrien@MyCentralJersey.com
imminent danger of being neglected out of existence according to the preservation advocate
group that researches and compiles an annual list of properties it deems endangered.
On Tuesday, Preservation New Jersey announced its 16th annual 10 Most Endangered Historic Sites in New Jersey list, which named the Vought
House in Clinton Township and the Hoagland-Clark House in the Kendall Park section of South Brunswick, along with others across the state.The
announcement was made at Trenton's Old Barracks Museum, a state-owned historic site for which funding has been eliminated in Gov. Chris
Christie's proposed budget, according to Preservation New Jersey. The list is based on three criteria — historic significance and architectural
integrity, the nature of the threat and the likelihood that being on the list would have a positive impact on efforts to protect the site.
Don Sherblom, president of the 1759 Vought House group formed to save the house neglected by years of not being used and to transform it into a
public history museum, confirmed the list's impact. "We're very excited about being on this list because it speaks to the importance of this house to
New Jersey history," Sherblom said. "Being on this list will help us get the support we need from businesses, organizations and volunteers."
The Vought House built in 1759 by Revolutionary War loyalist Christoffel Vought is notable for its wattle and daub (mud and clay) construction and
distinctive plaster ceiling design, which is considered very fragile because of a leaking and partially collapsed roof, Sherblom said.
The remaining sites on this year's most endangered list include:
• The Blue Chapel Monastery of the Perpetual Rosary's Sisters of St. Dominick in Union City, Hudson County.
• The Bridgeton Free Public Library in Bridgeton, Cumberland County.
• The Graydon Pool in Graydon Park, Ridgewood, Bergen County.
• Hurstmont in Harding Township, Morris County, a turn-of-the-century estate designed by the firm of McKim, Mead and White, which also
designed New York City's Pennsylvania Station.
• The Plume House in Essex County, Newark's second oldest building.
• Trenton Central High School in Trenton, Mercer County
In addition to those properties, Preservation New Jersey said that classic historic diners statewide are being abandoned, demolished and relocated
at an alarming rate, and that historic windows are being replaced as a result of encouragement
by what it said is incorrect energy-efficiency tax credit literature.
For more local news or to share your own news, events and comments,
visit www.flemington.injersey.com
Walter O'Brien: 908-243-6613;
wobrien@MyCentralJersey.com
The 1759 Vought House
The Star Ledger
| The 1759 Vought House P.O. Box 369 Annandale, NJ 08801 - info@1759house.org |
