Historic West Orange Building Deserves Preservation, Advocates Say

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The Hecker Carriage House in West Orange was recently named to a list of the “10 Most Endangered Historic Places” in New Jersey. And it’s well-deserving of the nod, according to a group of local community activists.

Earlier this month, Preservation New Jersey included the Hecker Carriage House on its 2023 list, which it compiles annually. Read More: West Orange Building Among 'Most Endangered' In NJ, Nonprofit Says

The designation got a thumbs-up from Our Green West Orange, which released a statement about the carriage house (read more below).

Here’s what Preservation New Jersey had to say about the George V. Hecker Carriage House:

“This carriage house building is an excellent example stick-style Victorian architecture designed by master architect Henry Hudson Holly. Holly also designed two other notable buildings in West Orange -- Thomas Edison’s home “Glenmont” located in Llewellyn Park, as well as Edison’s laboratory on Main Street. In the 19th century, West Orange was an escape for wealthy New Yorkers, including George V. Hecker, a flour miller, who built a mansion (now demolished) with a carriage house on the ridge of Watchung Mountain. Unlike most carriage houses of this era, Hecker’s has never been adapted for another use, so the original features, such as a hayloft and horse stalls, are still intact. The carriage house was designated a local landmark by the Township of West Orange and has been deemed eligible for listing. The Hecker Carriage House is one of only two buildings that remain from West Orange’s 19th century prominence and the historic Ridge neighborhood. The carriage house today sits on 12 acres of forested land open to redevelopment.”

“The primary threat to the site is the lack of plans to preserve and adaptively reuse the carriage house for the benefit of the public,” the group wrote. “Preservation New Jersey supports those advocating for the restoration of the site and its adaptive reuse. It is critical that all stakeholders work together to make this unique local historic landmark a priority in its plans for the future.”

‘A DISAPPEARING CHAPTER IN TOWN HISTORY’

According to Our Green West Orange, Preservation New Jersey hit the nail on the head.

Calling the local landmark a “rare example of 19th century, Stick-style architecture,” the group said it has been pushing for its preservation since 2021.

“Although it was designated a local landmark by the town council last year, it has been neglected for decades and is at risk of demolition or collapse without any plan to rehab or stabilize the structure,” Our Green West Orange stated.

“This modest structure tells so much about the early days of our township,” the group continued. “Designed by a famous architect of the era, Henry Hudson Holly, who designed Edison’s Glenmont mansion, the building tells the story of industrious New Yorkers who would come to the mountains of West Orange, along with their stable workers, drivers and servants, to flee epidemics like yellow fever. In fact, Civil War-hero General McClellan was one of Hecker’s neighbors along this ridge. It is what’s left of a disappearing chapter in the history of West Orange.”

It also says something about the state of historic preservation in the township and in the Oranges in general, the group claimed: West Orange hasn’t designated a local historic district since 1987.

“This recognition doesn't save the carriage house, but it brings statewide awareness of the value of this place and the need to put a plan in place to save it,” Our Green West Orange continued. “The educational opportunities that this place offers to the public and to our schoolchildren are endless. Located a short drive from the Thomas Edison National Historical Park, this carriage house offers a glimpse into the early days of our nation’s history around the time of the Civil War. It should be a part of any history curriculum.”

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