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PassaicCounty-373

Departments

Cultural & Historic Affairs

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Celebrating Passaic County’s Arts, Culture, and Heritage

The Passaic County Department of Cultural & Historic Affairs (DCHA) oversees the daily operations of several historic sites, parks, and cultural facilities throughout the County. Through these spaces, the Department organizes engaging exhibits, cultural programs, historic preservation efforts, and restoration projects - all aimed at connecting residents and visitors to the County’s unique past and vibrant present.

In addition, DCHA provides critical support to County departments and municipalities by:

  • Reviewing preservation and planning projects
  • Administering grant programs for the arts and historic preservation
  • Coordinating countywide cultural events and public art installations 

Sites operated by the Department include: 

  • Dey Mansion Washington’s Headquarters 
  • Passaic County Arts Center at the John W. Rea House 
  • Passaic County Archaeological Center at the Harry S. Vreeland House 
  • Passaic County Military Heritage Museum at the Schuyler-Colfax House 
  • Lambert Castle 
  • Lambert Tower 
  • Vanderhoef House 
  • The Wayne Museum 
  • County Court House & U.S. Customs House 
  • Goffle Brook Park 
  • Weasel Brook Park 
  • Garret Mountain Reservation

Public programs administered by the Department include:

  • Art in the Park
  • Book Festival
  • Passaic County Fair
  • Summer Concerts
  • Tuesdays in the Plaza 

Programs administered by the Department include: 

  • County Wayfinding Signage Program 
  • Interpretive Signage 
  • Historic Marker Program 

Organizations under the Department include: 

  • Destination Marketing Organization 
  • Friends of Passaic County Parks, Inc. 
  • Friends of Dey Mansion, Inc. 
  • Passaic County Film Commission 

Green Acres Grants

The NJ Department of Environmental Protection Green Acres Local Assistance Grants & Loans provide critical funding to preserve open spaces, improve parks, and enhance public access to natural and historic sites. These grants are essential for maintaining and restoring historic landmarks, ensuring their cultural and educational value is preserved for future generations. Passaic County actively participates in these grants to support its commitment to preserving its rich heritage and providing high-quality recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.

For full information, including public notices and surveys please see below.

 County of Passaic Grant Applications
 Grant  Project  Amount
 Urban Aid  Garret Mountain Reservation Basketball Court Replacement Project  $600,000
 Supplemental Funding  Peckman Preserve Improvement Project  $1,500,000
 Stewardship  Lambert Castle Historic Landscape Restoration Phase II  $500,000
 Jake's Law  Weasel Brook Park Playground Replacement  $850,000


 Friends of Passaic County Parks, Inc. Grant Applications
 Grant  Project  Amount
 Park Development  Dey Mansion Barn & Outbuilding Project  $1,500,000
 Stewardship  Schuyler-Colfax Historic Landscape Project  $500,000

 

Schuyler Colfax Site Improvements Project
 Grant: Stewardship, Friends of Passaic County Parks, Inc. Grant Applications
Amount: $500,000
Passaic County is seeking to apply for NJ Department of Environmental Protection Green Acres Local Assistance Grants & Loans to enhance the grounds of the Schuyler-Colfax House, the county's oldest structure dating to circa 1694. The project will restore the surrounding landscape with native species, reflecting its late 17th-century origins, and include ADA accessibility upgrades, new parking, and public restrooms. These efforts complement the ongoing restoration of the historic house to reopen it to the public.
Dey Mansion Site Improvements Project
 Grant: Park Development, Friends of Passaic County Parks, Inc. Grant Applications
Amount: $1,500,000
Passaic County is seeking to apply for NJ Department of Environmental Protection Green Acres Local Assistance Grants & Loans to improve the historic Dey Mansion Washington’s Headquarters property. Planned upgrades include active gardens, irrigated lawns, recreation walkways, and accessibility features to ensure the site is welcoming to visitors of all abilities. These enhancements will preserve the site’s historic significance and enrich the visitor experience at this landmark listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places.

Lambert Castle Historic Landscape Restoration Project Phase II
 Grant: Stewardship, County of Passaic Grant Applications
Amount: $500,000
Passaic County is seeking to apply for NJ Department of Environmental Protection Green Acres Local Assistance Grants & Loans to undertake historic landscape restoration at Lambert Castle. The project will include the restoration of the granite retaining wall, garden balcony, and walking paths, preserving the site's historic integrity while improving accessibility and safety for visitors. These enhancements aim to enrich the visitor experience, support heritage tourism, and ensure the continued enjoyment of this iconic landmark by residents and visitors alike.

Garret Mountain Reservation Basketball Court Replacement Project
 Grant: Urban Aid, County of Passaic Grant Applications
Amount: $600,000
Passaic County is seeking to apply for NJ Department of Environmental Protection Green Acres Local Assistance Grants & Loans to replace and upgrade the basketball courts at Garret Mountain Reservation. The project aims to improve safety and accessibility for park users of all ages and abilities while enhancing recreational opportunities in this popular urban park. These upgrades are part of a broader effort to restore and enhance park features, attracting more residents and visitors to enjoy the amenities at Garret Mountain Reservation.

Weasel Brook Park Playground Replacement
 Grant: Jake's Law, County of Passaic Grant Applications
Amount: $850,000
Passaic County is seeking to apply for NJ Department of Environmental Protection Green Acres Local Assistance Grants & Loans to develop a new inclusive playground at Weasel Brook Park. The project will include installing fully accessible playground equipment, ADA-compliant walkways, and other accessibility features to ensure all visitors can enjoy the park. These upgrades aim to enhance recreational opportunities for residents and visitors, particularly children and families of all abilities, while addressing a critical need for inclusive amenities in the area.

Peckman Preserve Park
 Grant: Supplemental Funding
Amount: $1,500,000
Passaic County plans to enhance pedestrian access and recreational opportunities at the 12-acre Peckman Preserve. Proposed improvements include a trailhead parking area, a multi-use trailhead structure, a preserve-wide pathway system with mowed and aggregate paths, an elevated boardwalk, and an outdoor classroom platform. The project will feature public art installations, interpretive exhibits, and ecological restoration efforts such as woodland restoration and a managed meadow. These upgrades aim to provide hiking and passive recreation opportunities while preserving and celebrating the natural resources of Little Falls and Passaic County.