Chatham Home Receives ‘Flag Award’ For Historic Restoration

CHATHAM, NJ — An historic home in Chatham has recently been given the "Flag Award" by Chatham’s Historic Preservation Commission.

Councilman Frank Truilo reported at the last council meeting the Historic Preservation Commission gave one family the flag award for “an outstanding renovation of an 1800s home,” which he described was “exquisitely restored at considerable expense.”

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Council President Carolyn Dempsey called the award “exciting historic preservation news,” for the home located on the corner of Washington and Watchung Avenues, the first to receive the Flag Award in several years, Truilo added.

Truilo said borough residents are encouraged to nominate homes and commercial properties, through the Historic Preservation Commission, that have “wonderful, thoughtful restorations.”

The Historic Preservation Commission has a nomination form to give out Flag Awards to residents or business owners that restore historical properties. Click here for a nomination form.

Photos of the properties nominated should be emailed to historicpreservationcommission@chathamborough.org.

After a nomination is submitted, Truillo said the Historic Preservation Commission will review the property, which would be in the running for the 2022 Flag Award.

Dempsey said the home’s residents are proudly flying their Flag Award outside of their home.

Mayor Thaddeus Kobylarz remarked how it “almost didn’t happen,” in terms of the property’s restoration, which he said was a painstaking process that required about 12 hours to reinforce as the home's facade, as it was being refurbished.

“There’s wonderful architecture all over this great borough,” Kobylarz added, saying it is “something to be commended,” when a resident or business rehabilitates an historic structure.

“The architecture of the borough is worth preserving,” said Truilo.

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