2015 Bergen County Historic Preservation Awards Handed Out

Bergen County Historic Preservation Awards

In celebration of the 2015 National Preservation Month, Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco III invited the public to the 2015 Bergen County Historic Preservation Awards  held  Thursday, May 7th  in the historic Varick Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, 120 Atlantic Street, Hackensack. The church garnered the award for Continuing Preservation and Use as not only the oldest African-American church in the city, but the oldest African-American congregation in the county celebrating its 150th anniversary last year.

The 2015 awards were hosted by the Bergen County Historic Preservation Advisory Board and the Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs.   Over 270 awards have been presented, since 1982, to members of the local community in honor of outstanding historic preservation achievements by individuals, students, organizations and businesses.

Ten awards were awarded in the following categories:

Youth Preservation Project: Matthew C. Yale, Eagle Scout, Westwood

Restoration or Preservation Project: Resolvert Nagel House & Farm Complex/Metropolitan Farm, Closter. The Resolvert Nagel House and Farm Complex in Closter, renown as the oldest continually used farmhouse in New Jersey, was at the center of an award for Preservation or Restoration Project. Accepting the award were owners Frank and Lori Vastano, Frank Vastano, Jr. and architect Douglass Radick.

The Resolvert Nagel House and Farm Complex started construction in 1710. Restoration work included the reroofing of the barns and interior work, required structural repairs and door replacement. Re-pointing of the exterior of the home as well as chimney restoration and relocation of electrical and cable lines also took place, among a myriad of other rehabilitation projects

Continuing Preservation and Use: Varick Memorial A.M.E Zion Church, Hackensack

Adaptive Use: The Darlington Schoolhouse, Mahwah

Preservation of a Structure Object, Site: Captain William Tyson House, Rochelle Park

Preservation Education: “The Champion: A Story of America’s First Film Town” (movie), Fort Lee Film Commission The Fort Lee Film Commission’s documentary short, “The Champion: A Story of America’s First Film Town,” was honored, yet again, under the Preservation History category – a category that recognizes programs, educational institutions, authors, publishers and groups dedicated to increasing the knowledge of historic preservation, architecture and sites within the county.

Preservation Education: Carol Greene, author, Mahwah

Preservation Education: Fritz Behnke Historical Museum, Paramus

Preservation Education: Eileen Davis & Janet Mariano Merli for Sunset Park, a WWI Living Memorial,  Rutherford

Preservation Leadership: David R. Wall, Tenafly.  Tenafly resident David R. Wall garnered the Preservation Leadership award for his ideas and leadership as chairman and his longtime service as member of the Tenafly Historic Preservation Commission. Wall has been devoted to preserving his borough’s historic sites.

“I’m sure you all know that if you are bitten by the historic preservation bug for your town, it can very quickly turn into an addiction,” Wall told the audience after receiving his award and urging those in attendance to continue preserving and showcasing their history.

This article contains material from  NETWORKS.H-NET.ORG & NORTHJERSEY.COM