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No. 13 Vol. 15
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www.mypaperonline.com
August 29, 2017
Step Into History At Wayne’s Historic Van Riper-Hopper House
By Dawn M Chiossi raw in a deep breath and take a lingering stroll back in time with Wayne’s historic Van Riper-Hopper House, one of three house museums owned by Wayne Township. People can explore the details that make up the world of 1786 and beyond
when Uriah Van Riper built this unique house for his bride, Maria (Polly) Berdan. In visiting The Van Riper-Hopper House Museum, folks can be part of this intriguing part of local history. The Van Riper-Hopper House was named in honor the children of Van Riper’s great granddaughter, Mary
Ann and her husband, Andrew Hopper. The couple married in 1872. Considered one of the oldest buildings in New Jersey, this Dutch Colonial house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. New Jersey boasts of so many local historical sites, visiting them are just ideal. Akin to opening a good book, exploring interesting locations and dwellings of the past, is like visiting an old friend. The Van Riper-Hopper House is a perfect example. Carol D’Alessandro, museum coordinator of the Wayne Historic House Museum is passionate and enthusiastic regarding the Van Riper-Hopper House and the history of it. “It is very much a living history center,” she says. “It’s wonderful.” Steeped in rich details from the outside as well as the inside, visitors to the museum will be able to recognize the strong Dutch influence of the area. D’Alessandro explains how the house is a prime example of the unique Dutch stone houses of the New York/ New Jersey area, what was historically called The New Netherlands, “We are so excited,” D’Alessandro enthuses. “Houses like this are nowhere to be seen. That is
one of the reasons why it is placed on the National Registry of Historic Places.” Almost from the first step on the property, it is easy to imagine the Wayne agricultural society that was so prevalent for over 200 years. Keeping in mind the traditional roots of the site, community gardens were built in 2013. Visitors will be enthralled with the historical herb garden, archeology library and the Albert Payson Terhune Collection. There’s so much in the Van Riper-Hopper House to capture the imagination. Folks will be curious regarding the abundance of artifacts showcased there, breathing life in long buried history. As was so often the custom of long ago, the Van Riper-Hopper families occupied the house from its origin until approximately 1930. People will be curious
and perhaps amused by the old fashioned handcranked sausage stuffer, a lemon squeezer and open hearth bread toaster from the 1700’s. It is amazing to see how the artifacts in the Van Riper Hopper House span various generations. Not surprisingly, the lower rooms of the house contain 18thand 19th century furnishings. People will be able to see things such as 19th century clothing, a 19th century school room, various era toys and so much more. “The whole house is furnished and interpreted from the different time periods,” D’Alessandro explains. Exhibits at the museum offer a mix of permanent ones, and ones that are often changing—so that there’s something new to offer. Much more than artifacts, the Van Riper-Hopper House offers something for
every person, every taste. As D’Alessandro puts it, “This is about what’s in it for you.” The museum offers tours, exhibits and programs for all. Some of these include special fundraising events, special historic interests, community outreach programs, garden club programs and events for families, school students and scouts. The museum even offers educational internship programs.. “There’s so many wonderful fun things here,” she says. “With school students, they get involved in their school assignments, they learn about the past. They learn by doing,” she states. There are popular seasonal events such as painting pumpkins for Halloween in October, and St. Nicholas Day, the holiday continued on page 2