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PLAINFIELD PRESENTS THE FIRST OPEN HOUSE TOUR
OF ALL SIX RESIDENTIAL HISTORIC DISTRICTS
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2006
SELF-GUIDED TOUR 11 A.M. TO 4 P.M.
$20 TICKETS AVAILABLE BEFORE THE 10TH AT:
- SWAIN GALLERY, 703 WATCHUNG AVENUE, PLAINFIELD
- QUEEN CITY DINER (formerly Rena's), 1324 SOUTH AVENUE, PLAINFIELD
- MEEKER'S FLORIST, 427 SOUTH AVENUE, PLAINFIELD
- CENTURY 21- LOU POMPILIO, 223 PARK AVENUE, SCOTCH PLAINS
$25 TICKETS SOLD DAY OF THE TOUR AT
Netherwood Train Station,
South Ave @ Belvidere Ave, Plainfield
Sunday, September 10, 2006, 10:30 a.m to 2 p.m.
For the first time since Plainfield’s first historic district was formed in the late 1970s, during the early days of historic preservation, a self-guided house tour has been organized which features eleven (11) homes located in ALL of the City’s residential historic districts. In addition to Crescent Area, Van Wyck Brooks, Hillside Avenue, Putnam-Watchung, Netherwood Heights, and Broadway Districts are represented. Also included is the Society of Friends (Quaker) Meeting House, which adjoins the seven block commercail North Avenue Historic District. Built in 1788, it has been used as a religious facility continuously since then. As tour goers venture toward the Meeting House, they will pass the Plainfield Civic Historic District, which includes City Hall, the War Memorial and other historic municipal structures.
Rashid Burney, City Councilman said, "We are showcasing the architectural heritage of our City and the committment of all of our citizens to putting their best foot forward, thereby improving the quality of all our lives." William Michelson, attorney and urban planner said, "the house tours have traditionally been the life blood of the historic districts, which, in turn, have been the life blood of Plainfield."
DESCRIPTION OF EACH HISTORIC DISTRICT:
Crescent Area was the first historic district registered by the City. It was built in the 1870s as a planned development of upscale residences. Job Male, Plainfield’s first mayor, resided there. The district contains a variety of Victorian styles including Italianate and Second Empire.
Named after the Pulitzer Prize-winning author and resident, Van Wyck Brooks, the District is the largest of the historic districts and is famous for the stunning brick Victorian homes that capture the exuberance of the "High Victorian Era" of the late 1800s. Another characteristic are the many outbuildings, such as stables and carriage barns.
The Hillside Avenue District features imposing homes built at the turn of the 20th Century and its generous lots and wide street lend an air of gracious luxury. Colonial Revival style architecture predominates, along with examples of Queen Anne and Shingle style homes.
The Putnam-Watchung District primarily contains houses built as single-family dwellings by the affluent middle-class during the emerging commuter era at the turn of the 20th Century. The homes typify the Late-Victorian and Edwardian designs popular between 1875 and 1925.
The Netherwood Heights District is another early planned community and features homes built between 1875 and 1910. Originally dominated by the Netherwood Hotel, development follows the natural contours of the hilly terrain. The Tudor Revival homes in the district were built in the 1920s and ‘30s, after the demise of the Hotel, during the period of Northern New Jersey’s rapid suburban growth.
Watchung Avenue was originally called Broadway, hence the District’s name. It features substantial single-family residences built between 1895 and 1910 during Plainfield’s height of development as an affluent railroad commuter suburb. Shingle style and Colonial Revival architecture define the character of the district.
PLEASE JOIN US ON THE TOUR AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!
Information: (908) 769-0636
