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1. What Township ordinance established the Historic Preservation Commission?

• Ordinance 627 (PDF) was adopted on March 23, 1978 and established the Historic Sites Committee to protect, enhance and preserve districts, sites, buildings and structures of historic, cultural or architectural value or interest within the Township of Mahwah.
• Ordinance 1062 (PDF) established the Historic Preservation Commission to safeguard its historic, architectural, archeological and cultural heritage by protecting, preserving and conserving theses historic:
  • Cemeteries
  • Districts
  • Objects
  • Roads
  • Sites
  • Structures
• Ordinance 1313 (PDF) amended Ordinance Number 1062 to work with and advise the Planning Board and the Board of Adjustment on the effect of development applications on designated historic sites and in addition to review all permit applications involving the historic sites.
• Ordinance 1393 (PDF) added the Valentine House to the list of protected properties.
• Ordinance 1564 (PDF) added the Waterman House to the list of protected properties.
• Ordinance 1642 (PDF) added the Ellis House to the list of protected properties.
• Ordinance 1747 (PDF) added the Erie Caboose and the Wannamaker Shed located on 142 N Railroad Avenue to list of protected structures.

2. How do I know if my home or other structure is "historic" and qualifies to be placed on the Township ordinance as an "historic landmark"?

Ordinance 1313 Section 24-18.3 Historic Designation Criteria for qualifying as historic. Generally, these include whether the landmark has historical, cultural, social or architectural significance. Homes from the colonial era would likely qualify as an historic landmark because of its significance in Mahwah's early history. However, a home might qualify as an historic landmark even if it is not especially "old" because it might qualify if it is associated with a person significant to the Township's history (e.g, Joyce Kilmer's home), or because it is of a unique architectural style (e.g, American Craftsman style). The Historic Preservation Commission can assist you in determining whether your home or structure might be eligible for inclusion in the Township Ordinance as a protected historic site.

3. If I want to protect my historic house, what do I need to do?

First contact the Mahwah Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) by calling 201-529-5757, ext. 271 (HPC secretary, Jennifer Storms) to advise them of your intentions or you may attend an Historic Preservation Commission meeting. HPC Public meetings are held on the 1st Monday of each month (except September, which is the 2nd Monday), at 7:30 pm in the Township Municipal Building:
475 Corporate Drive
Third Floor, Room 319
Mahwah, NJ 07430

Letter to the Mayor

Write a letter to the Mayor and Council, and copy the HPC, requesting that your home be added to the list of historic protected properties on the historic preservation element of the Township Code. In your letter, describe the reasons for requesting this inclusion. You may not have been able to establish all the criteria shown, but please provide enough identification factors, with verification citing sources of your information.

Added to the Agenda

The Township will request the request be added to a Township Council agenda, but it may be a month before it is scheduled. When the request is placed on the Township Council meeting agenda, you will be notified, and it will be discussed and open to the public for comments. A motion will be introduced to amend Chapter 24 of the Township Code Entitled "Historic Sites" to designate the property as an Historic Site in the Township of Mahwah. Township Council will add it to its next public meeting, where it will be voted on and adopted.

After Approval

The Amendment to the Township Ordinance is then signed by the Mayor and published. The effective date is 20 days after publication. At that point, the house or site will be protected as per the stipulations in Township of Mahwah Ordinance Number 1313.

4. How do I research the history of my house?

The New Jersey Historic Preservation Office has a brief guide on How to Research the History of a House (PDF).

The following are questions to keep in mind when researching the history of your property/structure:

• What is the name of the structure?
• What is the location and address of the property?
• What is the date it was built?
• Who were the architect, designer and supplier of material for the structure?
• What alterations and additions (with dates, name of architect, builder, etc.) have been made to the house?
• What is the name of the original owner and of all subsequent owners?
• What additions to, or sale of, the property were made by the owners?
• What historical events and/or persons are associated with the structure?

Sources

The following list of primary (archival and original) and secondary sources of documentation will assist in your property history search:

• Architectural/Construction Drawings
• Building permits, block and lot numbers
• Census Records (Federal and New Jersey)
• Deeds (names of owners, dates of ownership)
• Estate Records/Wills
• Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS)
• Historic Resource Surveys and 
  • Bergen County Historic Sites Survey
  • Bergen County Stonehouse Survey
  • Mahwah Township Cragmere Survey
• Interview former owners and older neighbors
• Local, municipal, and/or county histories
• Maps and Aerial Photographs
• Newspapers and books
• Plot Boods (volumes of large-scale maps showing plots and buildings on each block)
• Registers of Historic Places
  • National Register of Historic Places
  • New Jersey Register of Historic Places
• Real Estate listings
• Tax Appraisal Records (Municipal)

5. What documentation do I need to prove that my house is historic?

On order to determine if a property/structure can be considered for local historic designation, the property/structure must meet the Historic Designation Criteria under the Township of Mahwah Municipal Code Section 24.18.3 Ordinance 1313 (PDF).

6. What resources are available?

• Bergen County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs
• Bergen County Historical Society
• Bergen County Justice Center
• Mahwah Library
• Mahwah Museum Society
• New Jersey State Historic Preservation Office
• New Jersey State Archives
• Rutgers University Library
• Township of Mahwah Building Department (Department of Inspections)

7. If I list my property/structure on the Historic Element of the Municipal Code as an historic site, does that mean that I cannot change anything in/on it?

If a property/structure is added to the Historic Element of the Municipal Code as an historic site it does not necessarily mean that anything on the outside or inside of the property/structure cannot be changed. What it does mean is that the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) will over see changes under certain conditions. If the house is under 10,000 square feet, the Commission has no jurisdiction on interior changes. However, the Commission is happy to advise the owner in regards to any work to be done, to keep the historic integrity of the structure.

Emergency & Ordinary Repairs

The following Emergency and ordinary repairs (including painting) which do not change the architectural integrity of the structure, and which use in kind materials, do not require Commission review:

• Doors
• Outside structures
• Roofs
• Siding
• Windows

Outside of the Home Repairs

Any work to change the outside of the structure will be subject to review by the HPC. The Commission will review the proposed changes and provide a written report as to the historical preservation provisions. The Commission can recommend approval, approval with conditions, or recommend that the proposed changes be denied. The Commission recommends that homeowners come to a Commission meeting prior to any application to speak to the members about any changes they would like to make.

 

8. Why should I place my home on the Historic Element of the Township Code?

It is an acknowledgement from the Township that your property/structure is valued by the Township. It helps tell the story of our community, as it represents an architectural style, historic time period or event. There is a good feeling to restoring and preserving the property for future generations. If you purchased an historic home, you understand the uniqueness of your home and the importance of carrying this piece of the past forward into our future.

Purpose of the Committee

Just 50 years ago, Mahwah was largely a rural farming community. Today, it is a busy, growing suburb with only vestiges of its rural past existing in small pockets around the Township. Placement of your home on the Historic Element of the Township Code ensures its historic character will be preserved for future generations. Years from now, it is likely that only those homes that were placed on the ordinance will remain much the same as they are today.

9. Is there any tax incentive or financial benefit to listing my house on the ordinance?

There are not currently many direct financial benefits for the owner of a private historic residence. Although its inclusion on the Ordinance could make it eligible for grants. There is currently little assistance available presently for private residences, future legislation may broaden eligibility for economic grants.