Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

New Jersey Historic Trust Affiliated with the Department of Community Affairs

Van Allen House and Vygeberg Office

Garden State Historic Preservation Trust Fund
Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund
Historic Site Management Grant
Capital Level I Grant
Grant Award: $61,125 (2023); $40,000 (2008); $118,765 (2017)
Grant Recipient: Oakland Borough
County: Bergen
Municipality: Oakland

The Henry Van Allen House is a stone, Dutch colonial farmhouse built in the mid-18th century that was substantially altered in the early 20th century by millionaire businessman Edward Day Page. The Vygeborg Farm Office Building, also known as the Stream House, was constructed in 1902 to serve Page’s extensive agricultural operation. The basement of the building served as a creamery, while the upper floor housed farm office space. The building was constructed in the Dutch Colonial-Revival style, in keeping with the style of the Van Allen House. A unique aspect of the building is that a local stream runs directly beneath the building through a stone arched passageway built into the foundation. A shed and the foundations of the former greenhouses are also still standing. At various points the Stream House held the borough library as well as residential apartments. The Borough acquired the property in 1966 to save it from demolition. In 2020, the upper floors of the Stream House were dismantled due to severe deterioration and structural instability. Salvaged materials will be incorporated into the reconstructed building.

The 2023 grant will help fund the preparation of design and contract documents for the reconstruction of the Farm Office Building for meeting space and the rehabilitation of the Van Allen garage for ADA restrooms.

The 2017 Trust grant helped fund exterior restoration and partial interior restoration of the building. The 2008 Trust grant helped fund the preparation of a preservation plan for both structures, as well as an assessment of the site’s cultural landscape and ancillary buildings. The plan will guide future restoration at the site.

For more information, visit: http://www.oaklandhistoricalsociety.org/


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