HAMILTON-VAN WAGONER HOUSE 

This home is a representative example of the pioneer homesteads that once dotted what was known as “old Acquackanonk.” With its graceful gambrel roof and red sandstone, the house reflects many of the characteristics of the architecture of early New Jersey Dutch colonists. Although the Hamilton family resided in the house for 116 years, actually only three generations called it home, ending in 1972 with the death of Henry Hamilton. At that time, the newly appointed Clifton Historical Commission approached the city council and urged that the house become an historical museum. It subsequently was moved across Valley Road into Surgent Park. Each room in the house reflects the different lives of the various families who called it home. No record has been found when the first dwelling was built on the original site or what it looked like. The property, however, passed from Garet Garritsee, one of the original Acquackanonk settlers, through his descendents to Hermanus VanWagoner, who was living in a nearby house at the time of the Revolution. In 1804 Anna Vreeland inherited the property from her grandfather, Garret VanWagoner, son of Hermanus. She married John J. Vreeland, a mason. Sometime around 1815, they built what is the main section of the house. 

The original house, some researchers believe, continued to be used as a kitchen. In 1837, the Vreelands sold the property to Jacob and Sarah Van Riper. At about this time the kitchen was enlarged and attached to the main house. The house remained basically unchanged for the next 135 years, save for some modernizing in the 1880’s and the installation of plumbing in the early 20th century. The Hamilton-Van Wagoner house is a living museum.