Stone House by the Stone House Brook facts for kids
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Stone House by the Stone House Brook
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The Old Stone House in 2014
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 Location in Essex County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | 219 South Orange Avenue, South Orange, New Jersey |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | pre-1680 |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne, Shingle Style |
| NRHP reference No. | 87001333 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 22, 1991 |
The Stone House by the Stone House Brook, often called the Old Stone House, is a very old building in South Orange, New Jersey. It is located in Essex County, New Jersey, USA. This house is one of the oldest buildings still standing in New Jersey. It was built before the year 1680! Because of its age and history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 22, 1991.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
The first time the Stone House by Stone House Brook was mentioned was on September 27, 1680. This was in the notes from a Newark town meeting. They were talking about giving out land. The house was likely built after 1660. That's when the Dutch people first settled in Bergen.
How Was It Built?
A group of Pilgrims settled in Newark in 1666. Their houses were usually made of wood. But Dutch (or Flemish) houses were often built from brick, clay, or stone. The original Stone House was one and a half stories tall. Its foundation was made of local rubble stone. You can still see three of the original walls from outside the house. The house has been made much bigger over time. One more original wall can be seen from inside.
Who Lived in the Old Stone House?
The first owner we know about was Nathaniel Wheeler. He owned the house around 1680. Later, from 1773 to 1791, Dr. Bethuel Pierson owned the property. He was a hero during the Revolutionary War. He also ran a successful mill. Dr. Pierson made the house bigger. He used the same kind of rubble stone.
The Brewer Family's Influence
In 1866, William Augustus Brewer Jr. bought the house. His family lived there from 1867 to 1916. Mr. Brewer became the President of Washington Life Insurance Company in New York City. He also helped develop the Village of South Orange. He was President of the Board of Trustees for two terms. During his time, Mr. Brewer greatly enlarged the house. He changed it into a Queen Anne shingle-style mansion. He even named the house Aldworth.
Later Owners and Uses
In 1915, the house was sold to Dr. George C. Albee. Then, in 1953, the Village of South Orange bought the house. It was used as offices for the school district until 1983.
Protecting a Piece of History
In 1953, part of the land around the house was used to create a parking lot. This was for a new police station. In 1991, the house was added to both the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.
Recent Efforts to Save the House
Also in 1991, much of the remaining land was sold for $1. It went to the South Mountain B'Nai Brith Federation. They built housing for seniors there. In 2008, work was done to make the Old Stone House stronger. In 2013, the Township of South Orange Village tried to sell the house. But they were not successful.
Preservation New Jersey listed the house as one of New Jersey's Ten Most Endangered Historic Sites for 2020. This means it is at risk and needs help. The South Orange Historical and Preservation Society is working to raise money. They want to save this important landmark. Their goal is to use it for cultural and educational activities.
