The Borough of Rumson wishes to recognize the efforts of those involved in preserving our unique architectural resources. Historic structures contribute to the identity of our community, and sensitive treatment of these resources ensure future residents and visitors will experience the same community character. Each year the Rumson Historic Preservation Commission may honor a project(s) and/or individual(s) for their contribution to the preservation of our historic resources.
For a historic property to be eligible, it must be listed on the Borough’s Historic Properties website, except those applying for the nomination of “New Construction that looks like a historic property.” The property may be used for either residential or non-residential purposes. Awards may be given either in recognition of recent work undertaken or of a long-standing commitment to preservation. Properties are judged on the basis of exterior appearance only.
We encourage you to recommend a local business, organization, or neighbor who you feel would qualify for one of the following awards:
Categories of Eligibility:
Restoration / Rehabilitation - Older structures where major original features have been carefully preserved or replicated for original use.
Stewardship - Effective ongoing maintenance and care of properties of historic and/or architectural significance.
New Addition - An addition to an existing historical structure that is consistent with the original architectural style of the structure.
New Construction - Any new structure that is consistent with the original architectural style of the neighborhood or that utilizes historic materials and techniques.
Preservation Champion - Celebrating an individual dedicated to preserving Rumson’s heritage
Preservation Award Nominations
Please note, most businesses, organizations and homeowners nominate themselves. The nominations must be submitted no later than July 31st, 2024. If you know of a preservation project or a special person who should be considered for an award, please:
Fill out the on-line Award Nomination form here.
OR
complete the form, and submit your nomination by mail to:
Rumson Historic Preservation Commission
Borough Hall
80 East River Road
Rumson, NJ 07760
or by email to: HPC@rumsonnj.gov
Winners will be determined by the Historic Preservation Commission. All decisions by the Commission will be final.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
The Borough of Rumson wishes to recognize the efforts of those involved in preserving our unique architectural resources. Historic structures contribute to the identity of our community, and sensitive treatment of these resources ensure future residents and visitors will experience the same community character. Each year the Rumson Historic Preservation Commission may honor a project(s) and/or individual(s) for their contribution to the preservation of our historic resources.
2022 Award Winners
68 West River Road – “The Clock House”
Christian and Lynda Cloud – Restoration/Rehabilitation
Built in 1895, 68 W. River Road – or the “clock” house – has been restored with extraordinary precision and detail by homeowners Christian and Lynda Cloud, who bought the property in 2020. Since moving in, the Clouds have put on a custom handcrafted diamond copper roof over the turret; new E. Howard replica working clocktower and all-new cedar wood siding. The Clouds dedication and efforts are to be commended and are truly appreciated by our commission and the borough of Rumson. This year’s winner for Restoration and Rehabilitation are Christian and Lynda Cloud for 68 W. River Road. Congratulations!
18 Allen Street
Broeck and Marlis Steadman – Stewardship
Our second award recognizes the continued passion of maintaining and improving an historic Rumson home. Artists Broeck and Marlis Steadman bought 18 Allen Street – a stones throw from here – more than 30 years ago. Built in 1920, it’s the purple Victorian with a flowing garden out front. Broeke and Marlis have spent years researching the history of their home and maintaining decorative structures. The porch was meticulously restored to exact original specifications and the original blacksmith’s chimney in Marlis’ studio has been preserved. The Steadmans prove that one’s home is truly one’s castle. Our commission and the town thanks them dearly. This year’s winner for Stewardship are Broeck and Marlis Steadman for 18 Allen Street. Congratulations!
2022 Award Winners
59 Buena Vista Avenue
Jennifer and Andrew Marrus – Restoration and Rehabilitation
Under architect E. Harris James, the French Norman style home located at 59 Buena Vista Avenue, which was built in 1893, has been carefully preserved, and in some circumstances replicated, by the Marrus family.
It was not long after purchasing the home in 2018 that the Marrus family began its thoughtful and careful renovations to preserve the integrity and history of the Jacob Schiff estate, which was originally a stable and carriage house before being converted to a residential home in the 1950s.
The clock tower and courtyard, with original stonework, sits centered between the north and the south buildings of the property. The north building was a former stable with staff apartments, while the south building was the original Schiff Carriage House.
2019 Award Winners
39 First StreetKaren and Bob Austin – Stewardship
The Stewardship Award is defined as the effective ongoing maintenance and care of properties of historic and/or architectural significance. Each year the Rumson Historic Preservation Commission honors a project and/or individual for their contribution to the preservation of Rumson’s historic resources. For an historic property to be eligible, it must be listed on the Historic Property Inventory located on the Borough web site. Nominations for the award are judged on the basis of exterior appearance only.
The home was built about 1865, and for years Mr. Austin’s grandparents and family traveled by steamboat from Hoboken to rent this house for the summer. In 1924, Mr. Austin’s grandmother, then a widow, purchased the home. It was passed down to his father and then to himself. He and his wife have restored the interior in keeping the age of the house, with open beam ceilings, plank floors and fireplace. The exterior has been shingled over clapboard and period-style 6-over-6 windows added. An addition was added to the north side of the house. Most recently, a brick walkway and antique iron gate at the front of the house was added to the period style.
2018 Award Winners
86 Buena Vista Avenue – “Box Lawn”
John and Kristen Hall – Restoration/Rehabilitation
Older structures where major original features have been carefully preserved or replicated for original use
John and Kristen purchased 86 Buena Vista Avenue, also known as “Box Lawn” in 2013
Built in the 1880s, Box Lawn was primarily a summer home
By 2013, the exterior had fallen into extreme disrepair.
Exterior siding was removed by the Halls and new cedar shingles installed on the entire home and garage.
New wooden windows installed and metal sliding doors were replaced with period wooden doors.
Exterior iron railings were removed and replaced with a weather resistance engineered wood railings to match the original wooden railing of the wrap around porches.
In order to gain access to the veranda, custom mahogany storm doors were made to replace the fixed storm windows that covered the original chestnut doors in the parlor.
Additionally, there has been extensive renovation on the interior of the home and new landscaping on the property.
The Commission is pleased to have residents who are committed to preserving our historic properties
Roberta H. Van Anda – Preservation Champion
Celebrating an individual dedicated to preserving Rumson’s heritage
Bobbie is a local Historian and author and has lived in Rumson for most of her life
She was a teacher at both Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School and the Rumson Country Day School
Bobbie served on local boards of education, as well as, the New Jersey State Board of Education
For over a decade she was the editor of the Rumson Borough Bulletin and a member of Rumson Community Appeal
As editor of the Borough Bulletin she researched and wrote many in depth articles of famous Rumson homes and can be found on the HPC website.
Bobbie recently authored the book “Legendary Locals of Rumson”
She continues to be a valuable resource to the Historic Preservation Commission in our work and is a wealth of information!
The Commission wishes to thank Bobbie for her continued support and her dedication to the preservation of Rumson’s history.
2017 Award Winners
Randall Gabrielan – Preservation Champion
Turned his avocation of local history into a second career.
Has written dozens of historical books, numerous article and research reports that include many individual properties in Rumson.
Has served over 13 years as Executive Director of the Monmouth County Historical Commission in Freehold is currently Commission Vice-Chair.
Mr. Gabrielan also serves as the County’s appointed historian.
When our Commission first embarked on the mission to catalog and review our town’s inventory of historic and significant buildings it was a large undertaking to say the least.
Mr. Gabrielan’s books were invaluable as a resource, both as a reference and an architectural style guide.
We owe Mr Gabrielan a great debt of gratitude for the passion and commitment to the history of not only Rumson, but many of our surrounding towns.
90 West River Road
John and Marjorie Tedesco – Stewardship
Property at 90 West River Road is owned by John and Marjorie Tedesco.
Three buildings dating back to 1889 exist on the property: Carriage House/Ballroom, working Carousel in the old stables and a Guest House containing a private chapel.
Architect for the estate was William Welles Bosworth of Bosworth & Holden in New York, who designed the buildings for Edwin Drexel Godfrey. Godfrey who was tied by marriage to the Hoaglands who owned Auldwood, a magnifient estate in Rumson.
While the original main house on the property was lost in a fire, the Tedesco’s rebuilt a beautiful home on the property twenty-five years ago.
Fortunately, the 1889 buildings remained and have been painstakingly restored and maintained by the Tedesco’s.
Rumson is fortunate for the dedication and commitment of stewardship that has preserved a part of Rumson history when large and magnificent estates were abundant.
30 Lafayette Street
Jon and Lauren Carras –
Sympathetic/Sensitive Addition
30 Lafayette Street in Rumson is a Victorian home built in 1887. When Jon and Lauren Carras bought it in 2011, the home had fallen into disrepair. The plaster walls were caving in, the porch was starting to collapse and the home needed a total gut renovation.
Looking to expand the home, the Carras’ designed an addition that would seamlessly incorporate a third turret on the back of the house to mirror the two original ones on the front of the house.
The home was stripped of all siding and the addition was added to the back of the home. Then new cedar shingles were put up so that the home had a uniform look that would age appropriately and wouldn’t look like an addition was ever done in the first place.
As a finishing touch, gaslights were added on both sides of the original front door to flicker beneath the stained glass windows that may have been taken out of a local church when the home was being built.
The Historic Preservation Commission would also like to thank Jon and Lauren Carras and John and Marjorie Tedesco for their hospitality and tours of their respective properties.