New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

Natural & Historic Resources

Historic Preservation Office

B u l l e t i nThe New Jersey & National Register of

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation’shistoric resources worthy of preservation. The first historical registry wasestablished by Congress in 1935 and designated properties of nationalimportance as National Historic Landmarks. In 1966, the National HistoricPreservation Act (as amended) established a National Register of HistoricPlaces to include districts, sites, structures, buildings and objects of local,state and national significance.

The New Jersey Register of Historic Places is the official list of New Jersey’s historic resources of local, state and national interest. Createdby the New Jersey Register of Historic Places Act of 1970 (N.J.S.A. 13:1B-15.128 et seq.), the New Jersey Register is closely modeled after the National Register program. Both Registers have thesame criteria for eligibility, nomination forms and review process. Nearlyevery municipality in New Jersey has properties significant in architecture,history, archaeology, engineering and/or culture that are eligible for theNew Jersey and National Registers.

In FY 2004, 28 properties were listed on the New Jersey Register and/orthe National Register (*).

In This Bulletin:

NJ & National Register of Historic Places

National Register Photographs

New Jersey Historic Preservation Awards…

New Faces in the Historic Preservation Office

DEP Appoints New Assistant Commissioner

Historic Preservation Commission Training Opportunities

Archaeological Site Looting and the Loss of Public Heritage – A Tyranny of Small Decisions

Summer 2004

James E . McGreevey

GovernorBradley M. Campbell

Commissioner

Mission

The Department of Environmental Protection,Historic Preservation Office is committed to

enhancing the quality of life for the residents of New Jersey through preservation and appreciation

of our collective past.

Our mission is to assist the residents of New Jersey in identifying, preserving, protecting

and sustaining our historic and archaeologicalresources through implementation of the state’s

historic preservation program.

We provide assistance through our annual conference, consultation with professionals,

training workshops, co-sponsorship of history and historic preservation related activities, theHistoric Preservation Bulletin and other free

publications.

HI S T O R I C PL A C E S

New Jersey& NationalRegister

Of Historic Places

The

Demarest Railroad Depot, DemarestBorough

Designed by J. Cleveland Cady, the Demarest RR Depotwas constructed in 1872. It is a Romanesque Revival building

built of rough-cut brownstone with decorative detailing. The mostnotable portion of the depot is the portico with a flared-hip roof, belfry andsteeple. The Demarest Railroad Depot is significant for its Romanesque Revivalarchitecture and for its association with the region’s change from a self-sufficientrural community to one that was open to broader markets, a time period thatcoincides with the introduction of rail service. The construction of this station wasdirectly influenced by the change in rail service from freight transportation to expanded passenger service.

BERGEN

COUNTY

BERGEN

COUNTY 11

2

Iviswold, Rutherford Borough

Iviswold, with its elaborate, multi-faceted, high-Victorian eclectic style, was con-structed in 1869 and remodeled in 1887. Initially it was a three-story, almost-

square plan house. However, extensive renovations in 1887added towers, bays and a new wing that gives Iviswold itseclectic appearance seen today. Iviswold, significant at astatewide level, is an important example of a country housebuilt in the late-19th century and the only known New Jerseyexample of an important architect, William H. Miller.

Buzby’s General Store, WoodlandTownship

Buzby’s General Store, also known as the ChatsworthGeneral Store, is a white cedar frame, two-story build-ing built about 1865. The store has had a long associa-tion with commerce and social life in the New JerseyPinelands. In that remote area, the store served as alifeline to many Pinelands residents by providingfoodstuffs, hunting supplies, kerosene, animal feed,fabric, sewing items and clothing. Owned by the Buzby family for nearly 70 years, the storealso served as a venue for public gatherings and social events in the area.

U.S.S. New Jersey, Camden City

The U.S.S. New Jersey is an Iowa Class battleshipnamed for the state of New Jersey. Built by thePhiladelphia Navy Yard, she was christened by thewife of former Governor Charles Edison of New Jersey and launched on December 7, 1942. TheBattleship served in World War II, the Korean War,Vietnam War, and further operations throughout the

Mediterranean, near Lebanon, South America and thePanama Canal. Throughout this period she received

many upgrades and to date is one of the most decoratedships in naval history.

22

33BURLINGTON

COUNTY

BURLINGTON

COUNTY

CAMDEN COUNTYCAMDEN COUNTY

44

3

Church of the Immaculate Conception, Camden City

The Church of the Immaculate Conception, constructed 1864 - 1877, is signifi-cant as a well-executed example of the Gothic Revival style asapplied to an ecclesiastical structure. Built of Trenton brownstone,the church has pointed-arch windows, stained glass and wood trac-ery, a large rose window, buttresses, an offset tower and spire andmany other features common to the Gothic Revival style. Theinterior finish work, including the plaster and frescoes, the Carraramarble altar, and some of the domestic stained-glass windows wascompleted before the consecration of the church in 1893. TheMayer Studios stained glass windows were then installed in 1905.Noted Newark, N.J. architect Jeremiah O’Rourke designed thechurch. O’Rourke developed a relationship with the RomanCatholic Church and was commissioned to design churches, recto-ries and schools for the Dioceses of Trenton and Newark in the lat-ter half of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century.

*St. Joseph Polish Catholic Church, Camden City

St. Joseph Polish Catholic Church, built in 1914, is an architectural and community land-mark in the City of Camden. The parish was established in response to the determinedefforts of Polish immigrants who worked toward the goal of instituting a new parish reflect-ing their history, culture and traditions of worship. Once established, the parish was instur-menta in creating a welcoming neighborhod for Polish immigrants. As housing developedaround the church, the formation of Polish-owned savings and loan associations providedfinancing for home ownership. The parish also acted as a religious, educational and socialcenter of the new neighborhood, which became known as “Polishtown.”

The church was designed by Philadelphia architect George I. Lovat, Sr., who was well-known for his ecclesiastical commissions in the greater Philadelphia area. The design of thechurch reflects the Baroque influence on the churches in the parishioners’ native Polandand is laid out in a traditional basilica form. It is constructed of New Hampshire granite withdecorative elements carved from limestone or formed in copper. The interior was designed with a repeating theme ofarches and elaborate decorations that includes faux painting, statues and murals.

*Fire Control Tower No. 23, Lower Township

Designed by the Army Corps of Engineers, the Fire ControlTower was built in 1942 as part of the Harbor Defenses of the

Delaware. It was an integral part of a system established to pro-tect resources in New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania. The

Tower represents a significant chapter in the history of the defense ofthe United States and illustrates need for coastal fortification because

of increased technological advances in weaponry. Fire Control TowerNo. 23 is significant on a statewide level as an important surviving element

of coastal defense.

55

66

CAPE MAY

COUNTY

77CAPE MAY

COUNTY

CAMDEN COUNTY CON.

4

Hangar No. 1, Lower Township

Previously listed in the New Jersey Register (July 7, 1997) and National Register(August 21, 1997), Hangar No. 1 was recently re-evaluated for being significant ona state and national level. Hangar No. 1 is significant for its association with two

important World War II developments: the U.S. military’srapid facilities build-up and the Navy’s dive bomber pro-gram, which played a decisive role in the war’s outcome.

MOTELS OF THE WILDWOODS, MULTIPLE PROPERTY DOCUMENTATION FORMThe Multiple Property Documentation Form (MPDF) establishes a context for nominating groups ofrelated significant properties. This form serves as a basis for evaluating the National Register eligibility of related properties, and it may be used to nominate thematically related historic propertiessimultaneously or to establish the registration requirements for properties that may be nominated in thefuture. Each resource is made on a National Register registration form and then together, the MPDF andindividual form constitute a multiple property submission.This MPDF is centered specifically inWildwood, Wildwood Crest and North Wildwood. The form includes the historic context and back-ground of the Wildwoods, transportation development and tourist accommodations and also specificallyaddresses the motel types of the three resort towns. The MPDF also sets forth the Registration require-ments, detailing the characteristics that should be retained for Registration. The Motels of theWildwoods MPDF is the first step in recognizing the architecture and history in these unique shoreresort communities.

*Chateau Bleu, North Wildwood City

One of the motels identified in the Motels of the Wildwoods MultipleProperty Documentation Form, the Chateau Bleu Motel was con-structed in 1962 and is significant for its architecture and the role itplayed in the development of North Wildwood as a popular shoreresort. The Chateau Bleu is a flat-roofed, two-story, L-shaped motelcommon to the Wildwoods. A port-cochere, with a curved concretecanopy supported by wishbone shaped columns, is attached to theoffice, and decorative metal railings line the cantilevered balcony. Aunique feature to this motel is the heart-shaped pool located in the cen-tral space formed by the L of the guestrooms. (see MPDF)

88

995

Indian Head Site, vicinity of Vineland City

A very large, multi-component prehistoric archaeo-logical site with a period of significance of nearly11,000 years, Indian Head contains remains thatshow cross-cultural trade, travel and relationships.Excavations at this site have yielded information

that is important for the interpretation of prehistoric archaeology in New Jerseyand the mid-Atlantic region and contributes to the understanding of native peo-ples in the region.

*Community Hospital, NewarkCity

Community Hospital, founded in 1927, is histori-cally significant as the first hospital in the City ofNewark and in the state of New Jersey, builtexclusively for training African-American doctorsand nurses when segregation prevented theiradmission to white health facilities. CommunityHospital was founded by Dr. John A. Kennedy,personal physician to Booker T. Washington and

George W. Carver and provided a facility in which African-American doctors could treat patients and develop profes-sional techniques.

Military Park Commons Historic District, Newark City (NR only)

The park around which the district is located, was originally Newark’s “middlecommons,” intended for training of local militia in the 17th century. RenamedMilitary Park in the 19th century, the park served as a gathering place for civicpurposes and became a depository of public art. The commercial district that sur-rounds the park grew from the plan laid out by Robert Treat in 1666. The visualand spatial character of the plan laid out in the 17th century has remained intact,yet the district itself is a unique mix of styles, heights and materials ranging fromthe 17th century through the 20th century. Military Park Commons HistoricDistrict contains an excellent collection of commercial, residential and institu-tional buildings creating Newark’s urban skyline.

10

CUMBERLAND

COUNTY

ESSEX COUNTY1111

1212

ESSEX COUNTY

10

CUMBERLAND

COUNTY

6

*St. Anthony of PaduaRoman Catholic Church,

Jersey City

The St. Anthony of Padua Roman CatholicChurch was constructed in 1892. It is a

Gothic-influenced church featuring a graniteexterior trimmed with brownstone, a copper-sheathed steeple and a richly

painted interior. The church is illuminated by almost 30 elaborate stained-glass windows.The church is not only significant for its architecture but also for its association with the Polishimmigrant community. It has long been the gathering spot for the large Polish community inJersey City.

Livingston Manor Historic District, Highland Park Borough

This early 20th century, planned, suburban housing devel-opment is composed of vernacular houses and tree-linedstreets. The blocks in the Livingston Manor Historic District

exhibit a variety of building types and styles common to theearly 20th century, including

Colonial Revivals, bungalows,American Foursquares and a even

a few late Victorian houses. The dis-trict was named for the Livingston

Homestead, located within the district, which once com-prised the land on which the development is built. Thedistrict, significant for its architecture and communityplanning and development, still retains a high degree ofintegrity, forming a cohesive district.

*St. Mary’s Church, South River Borough

St. Mary’s Church is a local landmark in South River Borough. This imposing and majesticchurch, constructed in 1904 for the Polish-Catholic community, is the tallest structure in theborough. The architect of the well-preserved, granite Romanesque Revival church was Henry

Dandurand Dagit, a renowned Philadelphia architect of thelate 19th and early 20th centuries.

HUDSON

COUNTY 1313

MIDDLESEX

COUNTY

1414

1515

HUDSON

COUNTY

MIDDLESEX

COUNTY

7

*Trinity Episcopal Church, Woodbridge Township

Trinity Episcopal Church encompasses not only the 1860 Gothic Revivalchurch, but also its parish house, cloister additions,rectory, former sexton’s house and cemetery. TrinityEpiscopal has contributed to the religious develop-ment of the region throughout its progression from anAnglican parish to an Episcopalian parish. Also, theform, massing and details of the church exemplify apopular design of mid-19th century church designspromoted by renowned architect, Richard Upjohn.

*Beverwyck Site, Parsippany-Troy Hills Township

The Beverwyck Site consists of the intactarchaeological remains of residential buildings,

agricultural outbuildings and landscape features ofBeverwyck, a mid-18th century agricultural estate.

The site is significant because it provides valuableinformation on the cultural, social, economic and politi-

cal conditions of colonial New Jersey. Noted individualsentertained at Beverwyck, including George Washington,

Nathaniel Greene, Marquis de Lafayette, the Chevalier La Luzerne and Philip Van Cortlandt. Archaeological data from the site provides considerableinformation about 18th century plantation lifeways in northern New Jersey that are absent from the archival record. Moreover, study of theseremains will provide important information on the use and decline of enslavedlabor in northern New Jersey. This data has the ability to change current view onthe practice of slavery in the northern United States. The Beverwyck site canprovide insight to enhance current perspectives of the cultural, social and eco-nomic situation in the United States during the Revolutionary War.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY CON.

1616

MORRIS COUNTY

1717MORRIS COUNTY

8

*Water Witch Club Historic District, Middletown Township

The Water Witch Club Historic District, located inMiddletown Township in Monmouth County is avery intact planned community that meets three of

the four New Jersey and National Register criteria.The Club is an example of a late 19th and early 20th cen-

tury romantically designed summer community. The architecturefeatures important examples of the Shingle, Colonial Revivaland Rustic styles. It is located on a steep wooded hill overlook-ing Sandy Hook Bay, which enhances the picturesque qualitiesof the site. The strongly curvilinear street plan gives the site avisual diversity and a sense of harmony with nature. It wasdesigned by architects who were also members and residents ofthe Club including: Frederick P. Hill, Lyman A. Ford andAustin W. Lord. In addition, General Charles W. Raymond, animportant marine engineer, explorer and professor for the U.S.Army, was a member and resident of the Water Witch Club.The Club was initially a summer community, but has now beentransformed into a year-round community.

Eastside Park Historic District, Paterson City

The Eastside Park Historic District is a remarkably intact architecturally and historically sig-nificant development built between 1890 and 1950.

This large district, consisting of 59 residential blocks, a66-acre park and three small triangular parks, is almost

exclusively residential. The district consists of diverseand representative mix of development that includes

not only mansions, but also working-class houses.The district is significant for its period

revival architecture, landscape archi-tecture, and the community planning

and development of the neighborhood. Carefulstewardship of the homes and parks has allowed the community toremain architecturally intact.

MONMOUTH

COUNTY

1818

PASSAIC

COUNTY

1919

MONMOUTH

COUNTY

PASSAIC

COUNTY

9

*Hinchliffe Stadium, Paterson City

Hinchliffe Stadium was constructed in 1931-32 in view of the Passaic River andthe Great Falls. The stadium, one of two surviving major athletic stadiums inNew Jersey that predate World War II was the regular home field of the New YorkBlack Yankees, a Negro League baseball team, for a number of years. Hinchliffestands out among such venues as perhaps the only surviving regular home field ofa Negro League team in the mid-Atlantic region. The stadium not only servedthe Paterson public schools, but also hosted minor league and semi-pro baseballand football games, track and field meets, boxing events and performances bytouring entertainers. The stadium meets National Register Criterion A in thearea of entertainment/recreation and Criterion B for its association with Patersonnative and Major League Baseball player, Larry Doby.

*Alloways Creek Friends Meetinghouse, Alloway Township

The Alloways Creek Friends Meetinghouse, con-structed in 1756, was the third meetinghouse con-structed for the Alloways Creek Meeting. Theoriginal form of this meetinghouse, a one-story,single-room building, was a common form forsmall Friends Meetings in the Delaware Valleyfrom the late 17th through the mid-

18th centuries. The construction of anaddition in 1784, along with alterations to the original

building, converted the meetinghouse into the two-story, two-roomform that came to dominate Quaker meetinghouse design in thesecond half of the 18th century. While new meetinghouses con-structed during the period were built with equal-sized rooms,reflecting contemporary thought on space arrangement for worshipand business meetings, the Alloways Creek Friends Meetinghouseretained a slight discrepancy in the room sizes, maintaining the dis-tinction between the main worship room/men’s business meetingroom and the women’s business meeting room found in the earliergeneration of meetinghouses. Typical Quaker meetinghouse elements exhibited by the Alloways Creek FriendsMeetinghouse include its plain, rectangular brick form with a side gable roof, the covered entrances, the unadorned inte-rior, the movable partition that allowed joint worship services and separate business meetings, the facing bench plat-forms and the U-shaped gallery.

PASSAIC COUNTY CON.

2020

SALEM COUNTY

2121

SALEM COUNTY

10

*Dirck Gulick House, Montgomery Township

The Dirck Gulick House was constructed in the mid-18th century and is a one and a half story Dutch ver-nacular building. It is a rare example of a Dutch built

stone house in a Dutch community that typically builtframe houses. This is evidence that a process of assimila-

tion was under way as the house-building culture of othernationalities present in mid-18th century central New Jersey

began to blend together.

*St. John’s Church Complex, Somerville Borough

The St. John’s Church Complex encompasses the church, rectory, parish hall andan ornamental gateway. The buildings and the gate were constructed between1895 and 1930, all in versions of the Late Gothic revival style. The architect,Horace Trumbauer, was a noted American architect. He is perhaps best knownfor the twin campuses of Duke University, as well as his work at HarvardUniversity and the Philadelphia Free Library. St. John’s represents a period ofabundant growth in Somerville. A complex the size and stature of St. John’s reflects the prosperity of Somerville, both as the county seat and as thecommercial center of the region.

VanDerventer-Brunson House, North Plainfield Borough

The VanDerventer/Brunson House was initially constructed circa 1840, however,the house is significant because its current appearance is representative of a late19th/early 20th century architectural transformation from a farmhouse into a sub-urban mansion. The house is representative of the Second Empire style popularin the late 19th century. It also reflects an eclectic, non-academic approach toColonial Revival design common in the early 20th century.

*Andrew Ten Eyck House, Branchburg Township

The architecturally significant Ten Eyck House was constructed inthree distinct phases. The original brick section can be dated to theearly-19th century. This original portion exhibits Flemish brickworkon its façade and is distinguished by Federal style detailing on theinterior. The later additions, one built in the 1860s and the other in1914, enlarged the house to its current form. The Ten Eyck house istypical of the area’s vernacular architecture and reflects the evolutionof building styles and practices of the region, providing an architec-tural document in Somerset County.

SOMERSET COUNTY

2222SOMERSET COUNTY

2323

2424

252511

*Kennedy-Martin-Stelle Farmstead, Bernards Township

The significance of this Farmstead is as varied as its buildings. Consisting of sixcontributing buildings and structures, the Farmstead dates from as early as themid-18th century through the late 19th century. The main block of the housewas constructed in the mid-1700s and extended in the late 1700s with evidenceof Dutch influenced framing. The main barn was built in two parts, the largefour-bay English barn dates to mid-late 18th century and the three-bay extensionwas added c. 1840. The Farmstead is also significant for its associations witheducation and politics. Two of the owners, Reverend Samuel Kennedy and Colonel Ephraim Martin, played important roles in the history of the area.Reverend Kennedy was local minister and educator who established one of the earliest classical schools in the state.Colonel Martin was a Revolutionary War soldier and New Jersey legislator and figured prominently among the state’sFederalist politicians.

*Fanwood Park Historic District,Fanwood Borough

The Fanwood Park Historic District consists of late19th and early 20th century homes in close proxim-ity to the Fanwood railroad station.It is representative of a late 19th cen-tury picturesque suburban railroadcommunity. The district is the earli-est and the most well-preserved area

of Fanwood Park, one of several early railroad suburbs establishedby the Central Railroad of New Jersey during the 1860s and 1870sto encourage passenger and commuter traffic on the rail line. Thedesigners took advantage of the area’s hilly nature to create curving,undulating, tree-lined streets, and the homes in the district are rep-resentative of the styles popular in suburban locations of the time.

*Green Brook Park, Plainfield City

Constructed in the 1920s and 30s, Green Brook Park is a well-preserved OlmstedBrothers-designed scenic and recreational park. The design of the park takesadvantage of the dramatic topography and includes terrace gardens, curvilinearpedestrian paths and the use of bluestone staircases. Pathways are also linked to

the skating pond, and a designed water garden with twofootbridges accentuates the design of the park.Green Brook Park, significant for its landscape architec-ture, is a key element of the Union County Park System.

2626

UNION COUNTYUNION COUNTY

2727

282812

Do Not Use/Avoid:• Kodak C-41 processing• Agfa• Fuji• Fuji Crystal Archive

All of the above relate to a color process and will not beaccepted.

Some photos that appear to be black and white may actuallybe color processed and/or developed on color paper. Thesephotos are not stable, do not meet the requirements ofBulletin 23 and cannot be accepted.

Clues of Color Processing:• Hues of green, blue or brown• Color paper• Large company logo on the back• Paper type on the back

The HPO advises that before relinquishing your many rollsof film, you discuss your needs with the photo technician toensure that you receive a quality print.

And last but not least, the HPO requirements:• 4x6, 5x7 or 8x10 in size (2 sets)• Labeled with:

- Fiber-based paper: No. 1 or No. 2 pencil- Resin-coated paper: permanent audiovisual pen or soft

tip pen (black, no ball point)• Prefer white border• Labeling should appear in white border or on the back• Absolutely No adhesive labels, permanent mounting, sta-

ples or paper clips as these will damage a photo• Listing sheet with required information (Bulletin 16, page

64)

Photographs are an integral part of the National Registernomination. Recently there have been changes in the waysome photos are processed, causing a concern for the stabili-ty of the photos, especially National Register photos.

The National Park Service (NPS) has provided an entire bul-letin (#23) about photo quality. Bulletin 23 covers mainly thetechnical aspects of producing a quality photograph, such ascorrecting distortion, using filters, backlighting and depth offield. It also gives tips on photographing different types ofresources: bridges, railroads, battlefields, historic districtsand even archaeological properties. Bulletin 23 is a valuableresource when taking photos of historic resources. But what

NATIONAL REGISTER PHOTOGRAPHShappens after the film is rewound and removed from thecamera is just as important. What follows are some tips forproducing stable photographs in this time of commercialone-hour production and digital photography.

Current standards require a black-and-white photo. Thismeans the photos must be taken on black-and-white film,with a black-and-white process, on black-and-white paper.For film, Kodak has a black-and-white series: Tri-X, Plus-XPan, T-Max and 125 PX. Ilford, another photo product com-pany, also produces quality black-and-white film. Ideally,photos should be printed on fiber-based paper; however,resin-coated paper is acceptable.

Digital PhotographyWhile digital photography is growing in popularity, there arestill many unanswered questions concerning the stability andlongevity of the inks, dyes, and papers that only time can tell.At this point the NPS is not accepting digital photographs asa primary documentation source. They may, however, be sub-mitted as supplemental information, provided they are wellprinted, clear and properly labeled.

The purpose behind the photographs is documentation of thehistoric resource by preserving the visual information. Thephotos for a National Register nomination are therefore per-manent records and should last as long as possible. With thatin mind, aside from a properly composed photo, the mostimportant thing to remember is a black-and-white photo-graph means black-and-white film, printed on black-andwhite-paper with a black-and-white process.

Further ReadingNational Register Bulletin 23, How to Improve the Quality ofPhotographs for National Register Nominations. National ParkService, 1996.

Web site:http://archive.epreservation.net/resources/documentation/photo/ames.html

http://www.cr.nps.gov/habshaer/note/photos.htm

Dean, Jeff. Architectural Photography: Techniques for Architects,Preservationists, Historians, Photographers, and Urban Planners.Nashville: The American Association for State and LocalHistory, 1981 (out of print).

Dean, Jeff. “Photographing Historic Buildings,”APT, vol. XIV,no. 4, 1982, pp.31-46

Prepared by Sara André

Historic Preservation SpecialistHistoric Preservation Office

13

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Historic Preservation Office and New JerseyHistoric Sites Council presented awards recognizing the efforts of individuals, organizations and government agenciesto preserve the state’s valuable resources during the annual New Jersey Historic Preservation Awards Ceremony at the

New Jersey State House Assembly Chambers, on May 1, 2004. Assistant Commissioner for the Department ofEnvironmental Protection’s Natural and Historic Resources and Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer

John S. Watson, Jr. welcomed the recipients and guests, and read the Governor’s Historic Preservation Week proclamation. Historic Sites Council member Mark Mutter presented the awards on behalf of the Council.

Awards for outstanding “Contributions or Excellence” were presented to the following:

14th AnnualN ewJe r s e y

14

Presented in State House Ceremony

Historic Preservation

Awards

Metropolitan Inn Rehabilitation

♦

Straight Street Bridge Rehabilitation

♦

“Close to Home …History In Our Own Backyard”

♦

Jacobus Vanderveer House Rehabilitation

♦

Salem Old House Foundation, Samuel Wright House Project

Ackerman-Dater House Restoration

♦

Sam Azeez Museum of Woodbine Heritage

♦

Hackensack Waterworks Publication

♦

Wayne T. McCabe, Outstanding Contributions

♦

RCA Victor Company “Nipper Building”

Straight Street Bridge Rehabilitation Hackensack Waterworks Publication RCA Victor Company “Nipper Building”

GIS for Preservationists:

Mapping History

This full-day course provides anoverview of the concepts behind GIS,highlights current trends in GIS soft-ware and hardware, and provides his-toric preservationists hands on trainingwith freely available tools and datasources.

joined the HPOs t a ff last Februaryas a Senior HistoricP r e s e r v a t i o nSpecialist in theregulatory section,focusing her energy on affordable hous-ing and publicly funded projects. Sheprimarily works with Section 106 of theNational Historic Preservation Act of1966 and the NJ Register of HistoricPlaces Act encroachment review. Youcan contact Robin with any questionsabout HUD financed activities in yourcommunity. Robin has a Masters ofArchitecture and a Certificate inHistoric Preservation from theUniversity of Pennsylvania. Prior tocoming to DEP, she worked for privatearchitecture firms focusing on a varietyof public and private buildings andinstitutions preparing HistoricStructure reports, documentation draw-ings, condition assessments and con-struction documents. She succeedsKurt Leasure, who resigned in March2003 to pursue private-sector employ-ment. You can reach Robin at (609) 777-3930.

DEP AppointsNew

AssistantCommissioner

John S.W a t s o n ,Jr., c o m m o n l yknown within thedepartment as“Jay”, was appoint-

ed the new Assistant Commissioner forNatural and Historic Resources. Withmore than 20 years experience in stateservice, and formerly the Administratorfor the Green Acres program, Jay iswell-versed in the important role his-toric resources play in our communi-t i e s . He serves on the New JerseyNatural Lands Tr u s t ’s Board ofTrustees and represents DEPCommissioner Bradley M. Campbellon the State Agricultural DevelopmentCommittee. Jay also serves on severalother boards including the State’sEnvironmental Equity Advisory Board,Isles Incorporated, LifetiesIncorporated and the EnvironMentorsProject, of which he is also a mentor.As Assistant Commissioner andDeputy State Historic PreservationOfficer, Jay demonstrates an apprecia-tion for the tangible fabric of NewJersey’s past. His enthusiasm for rec-ognizing and encouraging our recogni-tion of diverse and under-representedresource types has been refreshing andbodes well for the work that still needsto be accomplished.

also joined theHPO staff lastJanuary in a newposition devotedsolely to schoolconstruction and

r e n o v a t i o n . Primarily working withthe School Construction Corporationand local boards of education, Aidita iswell versed in the regulatory require-ments of the NJ Register of HistoricPlaces and Executive Order 215. Priorto joining HPO, Aidita was employedwith a private consulting firm as anarchitectural historian. She worked ona diversity of projects including invest-ment tax credit rehabilitation, Section106 review and encroachment applica-tions. Her background includes anundergraduate degree in Architecturefrom the University of Miami, andMasters of Science in HistoricPreservation from the University ofVermont. She is fluent in Spanish andEnglish. You can reach Aidita at (609)984-6015.

NEW FACES IN THE HPO

Historic PreservationCommission Training

Opportunities

Preservation in Practice:

A Primer for Historic PreservationCommissions

The focus will be on legal parameters,conducting effective public meetings,developing data to support decisionmaking and critical analysis of outsideinfluences affecting historic preserva-tion in your town.

The Historic Preservation Office will be Co-sponsoring two course offerings underDrew University’s Certificate in Historic Preservation program:

For more information on these and other courses offered under theCertificate in Historic Preservation program visit

www.depts.drew.edu/cue/certificates.htm.15

Robin

StancampianoC. AiditaMilsted

Looting

and federal laws. If it is deter-mined that archaeological sites will beimpacted, site avoidance or data recov-ery can precede site destruction.

Unfortunately, a far more subtle loss ofcommon heritage is occurring daily. Itis frequently innocent and nearly invis-ible. At its most casual, it involvesnoticing an interesting piece of glass,ceramic, or Native American tool onthe surface of the ground and picking itup to take home. At vacation destina-tions, parents sometimes encouragetheir children to look for artifacts as ameans of introducing them to historyand the people who came before themon the land. Relic collecting has evenbeen likened to a form of folk behav-ior. At the other end of the spectrum,

In 1966 economist Alfred E. Kahn identified market failures and othertypes of economic events as the result of tyrannies of small decisions. In his social

analysis of the problem he identified the often catastrophic cumulative outcomes ofmany small independent decisions - for example, when bull markets go bust due to

investor fears. Environmentalists soon applied the same principles to environmental degradation.

The applicability of this prin-ciple to archaeological resources isa p p a r e n t . As acres of land yield todevelopment, often at 100 or moreacres at a time, archaeological sites arelost as well. And with them aspects ofour cumulative heritage vanish. Thecauses are easy to understand and thechanges on the landscape are apparent.In the absence of archaeological survey,we may not always know whether apiece of ground possessed archaeologi-cal sites prior to residential or commer-cial development. Even so we canquantify the probable pace of loss. Tooffset losses in areas of known sites orhigh probability settings, developmentis frequently preceded by archaeologi-cal investigation resulting from themandates of local ordinances or state

Looting

No

one purposely planned to destroy

almost 50 percent of the existing marshland

along the coasts of Connecticut and Massachusetts.

In fact, if the public had been asked whether coastal wet-

lands should be preserved or converted to some other use,

preservation would probably have been supported. However,

through hundreds of little decisions and the conversion of hun-

dreds of small tracts of marshland, a major decision in

favour of extensive wetlands conversion was made

without ever addressing the issue directly.

(Odum 1982: 728)

16

the investigation of archaeologicaldeposits continue to change. One dra-matic example is the history of investi-gations within Trenton area’s AbbottFarm National Historic Landmark.Early researchers discarded animalfood remains with only minimal record-ing of their presence in site refuge mid-dens and other features. It wasn’t thatearlier archaeologists lacked dedicationto their work or failed to realize the sig-nificance of the landmark’s sites.Rather. their research objectives didnot reflect a realization of the informa-tion potential of the faunal remains.

Less complete and even faulty inter-pretations of these sites and NativeAmerican cultural historic chronologiesexisted several decades ago. The focusof archaeological investigation was onbuilding chronologies, not on the sub-tle analyses of lifeways. The tools andtechniques now commonly employedto identify trace remains of plant, ani-mal, and other organic materials werelimited.

Today, study of remnants of plant andanimal foods provides information suchas seasonality of site use, environment,diet, and cultural adaptations.Together with the theoretical frame-work and new research objectivesdeveloped on the basis of past siteexploration, these analytical technolo-gies allow more comprehensive siteinvestigation. The outlines once con-structed by late 19th and earlier 20thcentury archaeology can now be devel-oped into more comprehensive narra-

tives about past human lifeways.

Scholarly investigation of sites hasresulted in academic and scientif-ic reports that ultimately informwritten histories and textbooksand form the basis of popular

reports.

In recent years, public involvementin the process of archaeological discov-

ery has become important to teaching,to tourism, and to local communities.The process of discovery inherent inarchaeology makes learning fun.Communities and other historic sitesmanagers that include professionallyguided hands-on and other archaeolog-ical programming have often benefitedeconomically as a result. Grants andother types of funding for respectivehistoric sites are more likely to beforthcoming when the value of the siteto children and other members of the

often well-organized groups of looterswith shovels, screens and even heavyequipment steal onto public and pri-vate land and plunder sites for personalartifact collections and profit.

This activity is becoming more of aproblem on public lands for several rea-sons. More people distributed acrossthe landscape with less open land isresulting in increased pressure onremaining open space. As archaeologi-cal artifacts increase in value, E-Bayand other electronic outlets make iteasier for archaeological materials to bebought and sold. Artifact trading com-panies, magazines and shows continueto exist as they have for years.

Although inadvertent, illegal use of allterrain vehicles (ATV) on public landsis also incrementally damaging aspectsof our public cultural heritage by creat-ing soil erosion, causing ruts and exca-vating ramps. Like site looting, inap-propriate ATV use is endemic through-out the state and the country. The dif-ficulty for land managers in curbingthese behaviors is matched by thesteady damage to the archaeologicalsites that are impacted. Although thefocus of this commentary is site looting,much of the discussion is germane toATV activity as well.

Why Should I Care?

A series of individually inconsequentialdecisions to remove artifacts from a sitecan result in substantial and sometimestotal loss of the site’s informationpotential. Similarly, failure torecord the intricate vertical andhorizontal interrelationship ofsite remains such as artifacts,organic remains, stains in thesoil, and datable charcoalprior to displacement fromearth moving or other distur-bance results in a significantloss of information potential.Why is this loss so important?These deposits hold the promise ofrefining and even correcting long-heldbeliefs about our history. They canalso fill gaps in our knowledge aboutgroups of people such as ethnic minori-ties or those in lower socioeconomicgroups who remain underrepresentedin traditional histories.

Archaeological deposits complementknowledge about historic sites provid-ed by extant buildings and structures aswell as written information, such as

probate wills, deeds, and other docu-ments frequently prepared when aproperty is in transition. But the valueof site deposits exceeds those snap-shots provided by the limited archivalinformation available at brief intervalsin a property’s history. They can holdthe record of day to day patterns of sitelife. Few sites or individuals possess astoried past. The toys, broken crockery,wine bottles, and smoking pipes revealinformation about site occupants andtheir lives usually knowable onlythrough archaeology. A r c h a e o l o g i c a ldeposits are the remnant flesh andorgans that can provide meaning to andenhance the skeletal remains of extantinterpreted historic properties. Thesedeposits may assume even greaterimportance when other types of infor-mation are completely absent or lacksufficient detail to provide clear pic-tures of the past. Even well plannedarchaeological excavation of non-threatened sites should always leaverepresentative portions of the sitesintact so that their deposits may bedrawn upon incrementally over time.

As tools, methods, and theoreticalframeworks for site investigation andrecording are refined, site deposits pro-vide ever greater potential to answerquestions about the past. Similarly, asknowledge about our history increases,the questions we seek to answer with

Above:Evidence of looting within the publicly owned

National Register Indian Head Archaeological site inCumberland County.

Opposite Page:Screens, looters potholes, and damage to archaeologi-cal site deposits as well as to formerly intact forestedlands encountered during a field inspection by localmunicipal officials, representatives of DEP, and the

Friends for the Hamilton Trenton BordentownMarsh.

17

public is apparent.

In light of these considerations, inad-vertent or intentional destruction andremoval of archaeological deposits iscostly to those who value history and itspreservation for future generations.

What Can I Do ToProtect Sites?

Public land acquisition -

The National Park Service con-tends that that the best andmost assured means of pro-tecting archaeological sitesis through ownership.A r c h a e o l o g i c a lConservancy PresidentMark Michael notes that“(t)he best time to buy andprotect a site is before it’st h r e a t e n e d . ” Employing thisapproach, the State of New Jerseyacquired a rockshelter in FranklinBorough, Sussex County, through theDepartment of EnvironmentalP r o t e c t i o n ’s (DEP) Green AcresProgram. Through a number of otherDEP Green Acres initiatives, rockshel-ters as well as other archaeological sitesare being acquired for preservationwithin public open space areas.

The first documented investigation ofSussex County’s rockshelter sites was inthe early 1900s. Ephemeral evidenceof their use through time duringhunting forays or travel still per-sist. Their physical enduranceprovides archaeologists theopportunity to perform spa-tial analyses to understandNative American use of theland. Public ownership ofthese fragile resources pro-vides both the public andprofessional archaeologiststhe opportunity to learn aboutthe past and to experience firsthand the only complete examples ofpre-European Native American sheltersremaining in New Jersey.

Provided that municipalities and otherpublic entities maintain acquisitionparcels in open space for passive use (orpreserve areas encompassing archaeo-logical sites), purchase of archaeologicalsites can be an effective tool.H o w e v e r, when vandalism or otherforms of site damage are occurring,more active forms of involvement andprotection must supplement acquisi-

public officials, including law enforce-ment personnel. It is essential that lawenforcement agents and public landmanagers are active participants indeveloping effective strategies to curbsite vandalism. Seniors and other citi-zens can serve as useful members of acommunication network. Advocacyshould be upbeat. If group membersare overly moralistic or aggressive,

potential supporters may hesitateto join the eff o r t . E s t a b l i s h

clear goals with specific mile-stones that can be celebrat-ed.

A sympathetic reportermay be enlisted to writearticles about the impor-

tance of the relationshipbetween individual sites and

community history. If anarchaeological site is being van-

dalized, articles may be written toalert looters that community memberscare about the site and that prosecutioncould result if the activity continues.

The importance of and relationshipbetween site protection and communi-ty heritage must be elucidated and canbe presented in newspapers, newslet-ters and pamphlets; through displaysand signage in public spaces and visi-tors centers; and by speakers.Advocates including corporate spon-sors may be enlisted to create or fund

interpretive signage. Judgementmust be exercised in placement

of interpretive signs if callingattention to the precise loca-tion of a non-threatenedsite would place the site atrisk. The best location foran interpretive sign maybe one visible from an

interpretive center, road-w a y, or other location fre-

quented by the public and sitemanagers.

Site protection: maintain communicationand maintain a presence -

Establish a network to deal with theproblem. Have site advocates meet todevelop a plan and continue to meetperiodically or communicate throughthe electronic medium. The individu-als within the core networked groupmay be limited to those that serve aspoints of contact for the larger groupsthey represent whether it be lawenforcement, non-profit groups, or

Above:DEP Assistant Commissioner, John S. Watson, Jr.

discusses looting within Abbott Farm NationalLandmark with Clyde Quinn of the Delaware andRaritan Greenway and site manager, Tom Ficarro.

Below:Looter’s glove recovered with screens and shovels

beside potholes within Abbott FarmNational Historic Landmark

tion. The following includes some ofthe strategies being considered andimplemented by DEP and its partnersto limit looting and other forms ofarchaeological site damage on Statelands.

Advocacy and education -

A first step is to identify potentialstakeholders. Who in the communityis interested in Native American andhistoric site history? Who might beenlisted to promote and protect thesite?

Advocates need not be ‘history special-ists’ or archaeologists. Build a partner-ship between the public at large and

18

civic associations. There are no substi-tutes for maintaining a site presenceand for effective partnerships betweenpublic and private sectors, includinglaw enforcement.

Observations by members of the sitesurveillance team should include infor-mation regarding location, date, time ofday, descriptions of individuals, licenseplate numbers, descriptions of vehicles,and photographs. Incriminating evi-dence (e.g., distinctive tire ruts, per-sonalized gloves, or screens) may beleft behind and can be photographed orcollected and tagged (for example withdate and location of recovery).However, it is imperative that publicinvolvement not be confrontational orendanger a volunteer. Use of camerasand cell phones may provoke aggres-sive responses in some instances.Volunteers must be instructed to bejudicious and non-confrontational.

In areas where sites are being looted,the land should be posted. S i g n sshould cite the law and make penaltiesfor looting or other ground disturbanceevident. Posting the land will detercasual collectors as well as strengthenlegal action against looters.

Installation of gates, bollards, fences,and boulders can be effective in limit-ing swift and easy access and the asso-ciated erosion caused by vehicles.Although rarely used, electronic sur-veillance has been effective in somel o c a t i o n s . The many live cameraremote monitoring opportunities avail-able to birdwatchers provide an exam-ple of this increasingly affordable tool.

Cell phones make it easy to report loot-ing from locations in coverage areas.Contact information of enforcementofficials and the types of informationrequested can easily be included oninterpretive and other signs. By collect-ing reports through the network thathas been developed, you can deter-mine when and where looting is occur-ring.

Enforce the law, prosecute and publicize -

Concentrate law enforcement and sur-veillance efforts on one or a few specif-ic locations.

E fforts to modify behavior througheducation alone will be effective withsome but not all individuals. For themore recalcitrant, it will be necessaryfor them to know that they are break-ing the law, sites are watched, commu-

nication is effective, and prosecutionwith stiff penalties is possible. If van-dalism persists, enforcement must ulti-mately entail apprehension and prose-cution of violators.

Recent Legislation -Help on the Horizon

Recently a bill (Assembly No. 1930;Senate No. 1053) was introducedbefore the State legislature to provideenhanced protection of archaeologicalsites on State, county, and municipallands. The bill passed the Assemblyand has been on the Senate floor. Itwould make it illegal to destroy, dis-turb, remove, sell, or receive archaeo-logical artifacts from public property.While it is already a crime to removearchaeological artifacts from NewJersey Division of Parks and Forestrylands (7:2-2.10), the new bill is usefulbecause:

• it applies to most or all Statelands as well as county andmunicipal property;

• it includes geological and pale-ontological materials, requiringless expertise on the part of lawenforcement personnel to makearrests;

• penalties are severe, includingpenalties from 750 to 5000 dol-

lars; confiscation or forfeiture ofvessels, vehicles, or equipmentused in commission of the activ-ity; and potentially, additionalmonetary compensation to coverremediation of the violation andfor the value of any lost, dam-aged, or destroyed site contents;and

• because of its breadth, it mayhelp to provide penalties fordamage to archaeological sitescaused by illegal ATV use andother unauthorized ground dis-turbance.

Summary

As a community we must apprise plan-ners, politicians, policy makers, educa-tors, law enforcement officials, andeven site looters of the consequencesof archaeological site loss. A m o n gmany professional and responsible avo-cational archaeologists, and communityactivists there is growing appreciationof the effects of collecting or inappro-priate excavation of archaeologicals i t e s . We must urge those who aremaking the law and those who arebreaking the law as well as those influ-encing public policy to adopt a holisticview – to understand the tyranny ofsmall decisions and its impact on ourshared history and our communities.

REFERENCES

Kahn, Alfred E. (1966) The tyranny of small decisions: market failures, imperfec-tions, and the limits of economics.Kylos 19:23-47.

Odum, William E. (1982) Environmental Degradation and the Tyranny of SmallDecisions.BioScience Vol 32 No. 9.

Rotenstein, David S., Ph.D. (1997) Bending Contexts: A Historical Perspective OnRelic Collections.Paper written for Folklife Studies (FOLK 550), Universityof Pennsylvania, Fall 1988 term. Dr. Don Yoder, professor.

Web sites:

http://www.fatbirder.com/links/images_and_sound/webcams.html

http://www.nj.gov/dep/greenacres

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us

Kurt Kalb and Kate Marcopul assisted in preparation of this article.

Prepared by Deborah Rinker Fimbel

Principal Historic Preservation Specialist Historic Preservation Office

19

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This publication has been financed in part with federal funds from the NationalPark Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, and administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Natural & HistoricResources, Historic Preservation Office. The contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of the Interior.This program receives federal financial assistance for the identification and pro-tection of historic properties. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 andSection 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the U.S. Department of the Interiorprohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, or handicap inits federally assisted programs. If you believe that you have been discriminatedagainst in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, please write to: Office of Equal Opportunity, National ParkService, 1849 C. Street NW (NC200), Washington, D.C. 20240