Chester’s ‘Rockefeller Center’ Approved For Historic Grant

CHESTER, NJ — The Morris County Board of County Commissioners fully approved a non-construction grant request for preservation of Chester Borough’s “Rockefeller Center,” one of 27 sites within Morris County that was recommended for grant funding in 2021.

At its last meeting, the commissioners approved $2.65 million in grant funding to protect these historic sites.

“We cherish our quality of life in Morris County, and this is just one of the reasons why,” said Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw. “We take great pride in preserving our rich history, as we do our open spaces and our best-in-New Jersey park system.”

“It’s also why we ranked again two weeks ago as one of the healthiest places in the nation to live,” Shaw added. “But, for all of this, we really must thank our residents - our taxpayers - because they overwhelmingly approved the preservation trust fund that has made protecting our history, greenways and open spaces possible.”

The Chester Historical Society applied for the funding for the building, which was built around 1868; and is expected to receive $8,960 from the county's Preservation Trust Fund in non-construction grant monies for the construction documents needed to begin interior and exterior renovations.

“The 1868 building represents Chester’s socio-economic history with various early uses, including a barber shop, gravestones shop, post office, cattle/horse office, gifts/antiques and bicycle shop," was part of the commentary from the county about the historic structure. “It has since served as an information center.”

Video below from the Chester Historical Society offers a glimpse of the building and its importance to the area.

Edward Ng, who narrated the video, said Chester’s Rockefeller Center name came from a Rockefeller family unrelated to the famous New York City one, but well-known to Chester. Chester’s Rockefellers were integral in the community, with one Rockefeller having run a general store and another a hotel manager. There was also the “A.C. Rockefeller Family Orchestra,” which specialized in “music for all occasions” and dance instruction.

Chester’s own Rockefellers were movers and shakers, with John Carlos “Rocky” Rockefeller a police officer - the only one at that time - and his wife Gertrude Lillian Dean, a police dispatcher and police matron. They were the “go-to folks” in the 1950s, with Gertrude in her dual roles for 14 years. It was this endearing couple who named the building “Rockefeller Center" for fun, when they used it to house their gift shop, between 1955 and 1969.

The building was moved from its past location on Main Street in 1996 to the Municipal Field, when a building expansion was needed next door to its prior spot. It was repaired and reopened, now belonging to the Historical Society; and has been used as an information center.

Since 2003, there have been over 482 grants approved exceeding $43.3 million from the Preservation Trust Fund, to benefit 117 historical properties within Morris County.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.