Category: Smile! Your Visiting New Jersey!

Saddle River Reformed Church 481 East Saddle River Road Saddle River, NJ 07458

Saddle River Reformed Church and Cemetery

481 East River Road

Saddle River, NJ 07458

(201) 327-5242

https://oldstonechurchonline.org/about-us/

Open: Sunday 9:00am-12:00pm/Monday-Saturday Be Appointment

My review on TripAdvisor:

The Saddle River Reformed Church at 481 East Saddle River Road in Saddle River, NJ is also known as the “Old Stone Church”

The Saddle River Reformed Church in Saddle River, NJ is one of the nicest church’s in Bergen County for Sunday services. The Pastor is very inspirational in her speaking, the service is well planned out and enjoyable to follow, the congregation is very nice and very welcoming to new people attending church and they have nice refreshments in which they ask you to enjoy after service is over. I found the whole experience very engaging and enjoyable.

Inside the Old Stone Church during Sunday service there is still a sense that you are revisiting the time of the Revolutionary War and the period around it. The pews still have the same details they have had for three hundred years. You are no just going for Sunday service you are experiencing part of history.

The inside of the Old Stone Church

The inside of the Old Stone Church for Sunday Mass

The podium at the Old Stone Church

The Chandelier inside the Old Stone Church

The refreshment table after mass. It is a nice way to gather with other parishioners.

I thought it was very nice of the congregation to invite me to join them for pastries after the service was over. I had a nice time talking to everyone.

The historic marker of the church

I visited the ‘Old Stone Church’ in Saddle River, one of the oldest churches in the state and was taken not just by the beauty of the church but by the respect the church has for the people who are buried here. There is much recognition for the contributions of the soldiers and the armed forces not just for the Revolutionary War soldiers but current ones as well.

The oldest part of the cemetery is the closest to the church

The oldest part of the cemetery contains names like Demarest, Haring, Hopper, DeBraun, Eckerson, Terhune and Zabriskie. These are the first settlers of the area whose families owned farms in Saddle River. Many of the families have family plots in the cemetery.

The Hopper family plot

The Hopper family plot

The Hopper family plot

The Zabriskie family plot

The Gilderston family plot

The DeBaum family plot

The DeBaun family plot

The DeBaun family plot

The Hopper family plot

The Hopper family plot

The oldest part of the cemetery holds so much history of the founding members of the Saddle River and Bergen County community.

The History of the Church:

(from the Saddle River Reformed Church website)

Our church, known to many as the Old Stone Church, was organized in 1784 as a daughter church of the Old Paramus Church. It is a part of the Reformed Church in America, a denomination which traces its roots to the Dutch colonists.

While there is evidence that the original church building was erected in 1789, our present sanctuary was built in 1819. An extensive renovation in 1971 – 1972 recreated the appearance of the original structure.

The Old Stone Church and the historic Revolutionary War Cemetery that is located behind it.

The History of the Cemetery:

(From the Saddle River Reformed Church website):

Our cemetery is the resting place of numerous American Revolution and Civil War Veterans. Church records indicate that the following veterans have been buried at our historic site.

The Saddle River Reformed Church Cemetery is one of the most historic in this part of the country. Our cemetery is over 230 years old and is the burial ground of nine known Veterans of the American Revolution. Tracing back to the founding of this nation, these resting places designate the cemetery as an historic spot of great significance, with a special interest to historians and antiquarians. Surrounded by mature and lush foliage, its peaceful setting by the banks of the Saddle River make for an esteemed and hallowed resting place for your loved ones.

Some of the most fascinating part of the cemetery is its historical section

With the Bergen 250-The 250th Anniversary of the Revolutionary War next year, I wanted to point out the veterans buried here from the war.

Click to access srr-osc-church-and-cemetery-guidebook-for-viewing_649314046da32.pdf

Jacob David DeBraun

(from the church website)

David DeBaun was born in Schraalenburg (Bergenfield) in 1759 to Abraham DeBaun and Bridget Ackerman. About 1770 the family moved to Hempstead in New York. David served as a private in the Second Regiment of Hay’s Militia, Captain Garret Ackerson’s Company. He married Hannah Forshay, b. 1868, d. 1836. David died in New Hempstead, NY in 1820. He was tax officer of Hempstead in 1811 and 1812; supervisor of Haverstraw 1811-1814. An enclosed plot in the Upper Saddle River Cemetery is the resting place of his entire family.

John Tallman

(from the church website)

John Tallman was a Sergeant in Hays Regiment of Militia, Orange County, NY Militia, Company of Captain Hogenkamp, William Sickles, and Aurie Smith, and is listed on the Revolutionary War pension records. He was born in Tappan, the son of Jan Tallman and Helena Gerritse Blauvelt. He married Margrietje Forseur (Forshay). He died in New Hempstead, NY in 1839.

David Eckerson

(from the church website)

David Thomas Eckerson, was born in Schraalenburgh (Bergenfield) in 1738. He married Angenetye Vanderbeek and they had a sons Thomas, Paul, Jon, David and Aurie and daughters Hannah, Mary and Angenetye. He is on the Revolutionary War rolls in Rockland County. Revolutionary War veteran Peter van Orden was an executor to his will.

Thomas Eckerson

(from the church website)

Thomas Eckerson, 1745-1818, was married to Cornelia Eckerson. They had children, Thomas Eckerson, Edward T. Eckerson, Maria Eckerson Crouter, and Jacob Eckerson. He is listed as a Private, New Jersey Regiment. He also served in the War of 1812.

Abraham Haring

(from the church website)

Abraham G. Haring was born in 1755 in Tappan, Orange, NY to Garret J. Haring and Cornelia Lent. He married Elizabeth Blauvelt. He died in 1832 in Hempstead, Rockland, NY. He served in the Revolutionary War 1775-1783, Coopers Regiment, NY Militia.

John Terhune

(from the church website)

John A. Terhune, 1753-1805, was the son of Albert A. Terhune and Elizabeth Doremus. He inherited the stone house on the sw corner of Lake Street and West Saddle River Road, known as the Terhune-Hopper house. He married Catherine Lutkins, daughter of Harman Lutkins of Paramus. He is on the SAR list.

Jacob Zabriskie

In the modern day, I wanted to point out a hero to the Bergen Country Firefighting Community and former Saddle River Fire Chief Larry Rauch and his wife, Sherry who both contributed so much to the firefighting community.

Chief Larry Rauch

https://www.northjersey.com/obituaries/ber091143

Many members of the Revolutionary, Civil, war of 1812 to WWI and II to Desert Storm are buried here. These church treats our veterans with great respect.

The cemetery sign

Old North Reformed Church 120 Washington Avenue Dumont, NJ 07628

Old North Reformed Church

120 Washington Avenue

Dumont, NJ 07628

(201) 385-2243

https://oldnorth.church/

https://www.facebook.com/oldnorthdumont

The Old North Church at 120 Washington Avenue

The Old North Church in Downtown Dumont, NJ is one of a series of Dutch Reformed Churches in Bergen County. This stately church still operates on a weekly basis and services are held on Sunday mornings. The cemetery to the back of the church is historic and interns some of the original families of Bergen County, NJ.

Old North is a Protestant Church affiliated with the Reformed Church in America. It is the oldest Protestant denomination with a continuous ministry in the United States and is a member of the Presbyterian/Reformed Family of Churches.

The actual Old North congregation dates back to 1724 and was organized in that year. A congregation of the settlers in what was known as Schraalenburgh (Dutch for “low ridge”) was formed at the time under the care of the “Church on the Green” in Hackensack. In 1725, Schraalenburgh Church built – stood about a city block east of the present South Church, Bergenfield. It was octagonal in shape. The Parsonage and minister for the church were located in Hackensack.

The historic sign of the church’s building

The Church Timeline:

(Taken from the Old North Church website)

1750 (Approximately) Congregation gradually divided into two – under the leadership of two pastors both meeting in the same building.

1799 One congregation left and built the present South Church. The second congregation continued to worship in the old church for about two years.

1801 The second congregation built “North Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Schraalenburgh” on the land given by Major Isaac Kipp. The building was erected by Peter Durie of New York, who later moved to Tenafly to be near the project

The inscription over the front door, in Dutch, reads,

“Let peace come quickly to all. The North Church at Schraalenburgh built 1801.”

“In all places where I record my name, there shall I come to thee and bless thee.” Exodus 20:24

1833 Services in Dutch entirely discontinued.

1834 Parsonage (Pastor’s house) was built.

1836 Stoves were installed in four corners of Sanctuary.

1846 Sunday School is organized and met in the balcony.

1859 Sanctuary was enlarged eighteen feet. The side walls now had four windows instead of the original three. The back west wall was reconstructed with red brick and the red sand stones that were on the west wall and are now part of the sides blending with the original stones.

1868 The first furnace was installed in the Sanctuary. The clear glass panes in the Sanctuary were replaced with colored stenciled glass from Germany.

1888 Organ was installed in front of Sanctuary (attributed to W.H. Davis) powered by a water motor.

1894 Town name was changed from Schraalenburgh to Dumont in honor of Old North parishioner and 1st Mayor, Dumont Clarke.

1911 Town clock installed in the steeple.

1912 The first Church House built.

1918 World War I, Church House used almost exclusively by soldiers from Camp Merritt.

1919 Camp Merritt Town Memorial monument placed on church property. The flagpole (since replaced) made from artillery gun barrels was moved from Camp Merritt to church yard.

Dr. John Spring began his ministry and served for 34 years. He was formerly Chaplain at Camp Merritt and saw the congregation through the difficult years of the Great Depression.

During his ministry, Old North became mother church to a number of Reformed churches in surrounding towns. Mrs. Spring served as organist & choir director.

The entrance to the church from Washington Avenue

1923 Organ rebuilt by Clark & Fenton, Nyack, NY., electrified and moved to the north wall.

1925 Old North charters Boy Scout Troop 64.

1926 Steeple hit by lightning. The first church house burned.

1949 Old North charters Cub Scout Troop 131.

1954 Major repairs and Sanctuary redecorated.

1962 New Church House dedicated.

1969 Church steeple completely renovated and the clock was removed.

1972 New Tellers 26 rank pipe organ installed. The Choir organ division was given in honor of Mrs.

Spring. Sanctuary was redecorated.

1974 Old North celebrates its 250th Anniversary. New windows installed in Church House.

Dr. Albert Van Dyke retires after 16 years of service.

1980 Complete renovation of downstairs kitchen.

1983 Reverend Richard Vander Borgh becomes 13th Pastor.

1990 The End of the Earth Church Korean Congregation shared usage of church.

1996 150th Anniversary of Sunday School.

1999 275th Anniversary Celebrated.

2000 Air conditioning installed in Sanctuary.

2001 200th Anniversary of Church building. Church steeple painted.

2002 Cross replaces Reformed Church in America Coat of Arms in the sanctuary chancel.

2006 Light Alliance Korean Church of NJ shared usage of church.

2012 3-year major renovation of steeple and structures are complete.

2013 Installation of a state of the art Carillon–- sending forth music and hymns into the community.

2014 Reverend Richard Vander Borgh retires after 31 years.

2015 Reverend Susan E. Kerr installed as the 1st woman and14th minister of Old North Reformed

Church.

2017 Stair lift installed at Chapel entrance to make the Church House and the sanctuary accessible

for all. Handicapped bathroom and baby changing station are installed.

2018 Ye Old North Thrift Shoppe community ministry begun.

Community Thrift Shoppe begun in Church House ground floor.v. Richard and

Joan Vander Borgh.

Community Thrift Shoppe begun in Church House ground floor.

The Light of Christ Church shares usage of space.

2019 Electronic LED sign installed.

Memorial Plaque dedicated for new Auditorium chairs.

The electronic sign in the front of the church.

2021 Legacy Project Renovations.

The Old North Church Cemetery:

The church cemetery to the back of the church has some of the original families of Bergen County buried in their yard. The graves go all the way up to 1911 (Wiki).

The signage for the Old North Church Cemetery

The graveyard contains some of the old families in Bergen County

Some of the oldest graves in the cemetery

Old North Church

Historical sign

The historic cemetery

The historic graveyard

The Church cemetery/graveyard sign

The historic map of the cemetery

Family grave locations

The full graveyard from the back

The Demarest family plot

Van Voorhies family plot

The Blauvelt/Zabriskie family plot

The grave of Thomas Eckerson

The Banta/Demarest Graves of Wearth and Margaret Banta

The grave of John Lozier, the Revolutionary War veteran

The grave of Issac Kipp, a Revolutionary War Veteran

The grave of Jacob D. Demar, a Revolutionary War veteran

The graves of the Nicoll family, Isaac and Deborah Woodhull Nicoll

The grave of Isaac Nicoll, a Revolutionary War Veteran

The Blauvelt family graves

The graves of the Bogart/Dumott familie

The back part of the graveyard

The veterans of the Revolutionary War graves

Lower Alloways Creek Historical Society 736 Smick Road Salem, NJ 08079

Lower Alloways Creek Historical Society

736 Smick Road

Hancocks Bridge, NJ. 08079

(856) 935-3666

https://www.facebook.com/LacHistoricalMuseum/

https://www.lowerallowayscreek-nj.gov/about/pages/historic-log-cabin

Open: Sunday 1:00pm-4:00pm (Third Sunday of the Month)/Monday-Saturday Closed-Open Six times a year for special events

Admission: Free but donations are accepted

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Profile/R4960NKjustinw/mediabatch/12228970?m=19905

The Historical Society:

Situated in a beautiful rural setting, the Log Cabin is restored in the same manner as the local Quakers lived in the 1700’s. The site houses a barn full of antique farm implements as well as many items used in the local industries of Lower Alloways Creek.

Salem’s County’s maritime history is documented in a unique floating cabin which is complimented with a collection of fishing and trapping memorabilia. The site also features an outhouse, carriage shed and the last canning house that was left in the Township.

The buildings on the grounds and the outhouse

History of the house:

The main house is very unique. The addition to the house was built in the mid 1800’s and is furnished from that time period. This was added to the log cabin that has been reconstructed on the site. The early parts of the log cabin date back to before the Revolutionary War.

The first-floor parlor

The Kitchen in the main house

Washing clothes in the house

How to wash clothes until WWII

The second-floor bedroom

The Bonnet collection

The second floor bedroom

The Attic Room

The toys and playthings of the Attic Room

The house has an extensive collection of antique toys and dolls and furniture.

The dolls

The dolls

The Hat collection at the home.

(Information from the museum website):

Part of the house is an old log cabin with an addition added on later. Although the date of the original construction is unknown, the cabin has been restored and reconstructed in much the same manner as local Quakers would have lived in the 1700’s. Because the air had deteriorated so many of the logs, it was impossible to save the entire original structure.

The log cabin section of the house.

The log cabin and the later addition.

All the wood used in the reconstruction of this cabin came from the woods in Lower Alloways Creek that are owned by the Township. The hand-hewn logs are white oak. The wide floorboards are pine The fireplace and foundation were built from Jersey sandstone that had been donated by John Hassler.

The inside of the log cabin and hearth.

The Hearth during the event

The Historical site also features a log cabin, carriage shed and barn, many antique farm implements, a two-seater “outhouse” and an old fashion hand water pump.

The Outhouse

The hearth of the log cabin

The loft section of the log cabin on the second floor of the home.

There is also an original Can House, with a working line shaft, a floating cabin, both of which were originally built in Lower Alloways Creek.

The historic Can House.

The historic Can House

Some of the interesting programs that the society hosts:

Line Shaft: the historic line shaft in action as it powers a variety of machines.

Outdoor sportsmen: view displays of fishing and trapping, hunting gear, decoys, floating cabins and turkey call demonstrations.

Model Trains: all aboard an exciting display of model trains.

Old time engines: South Jersey Gas Engine Club proudly presents their collection of “Hit or Miss” engines.

The Farm equipment and working engines at the “Old Time Engine Day” in September 2023 was an interesting mix of old farm equipment, household equipment and everyday items run by an engine in the early 1900’s. It was a very interesting display on how we have come in manufacturing and the museum did a nice job on the displays.

The working farm equipment at the Lower Alloways Creek Historical Society

The Farm Engine equipment

The Farm Engine equipment

The Farm Engine equipment

The Farm Engine equipment

Video on the display:

The Farm Engine equipment

Farm Day: Come and see antique tractors and a variety of farm equipment. See the progression of farm equipment throughout the centuries.

Retired farm equipment in the barn

The barn

Farm Equipment in the barn.

Some of the equipment and refreshments in the barn.

The barn equipment during my visit in 2025

Indian Arrowheads on display in the barn

Cabin Cooked Pie Day:

There is nothing better than a freshly baked pie in a fireplace. In November 2025, I returned to the museum for ‘Pie Day’. There were various pies, chestnuts and soup being cooked in the log cabin fire place that afternoon. It was interesting to see cooking procedures from a hundred years ago.

I visited the museum and got to watch the volunteers cook all sorts of goodies in the fire. It is interesting how foods were cooked and tested for doness over a wooden fire. The coordination of cooking times and temperatures.

The Log Cabin goodies that afternoon

Visitors choose from Apple or Pumpkin pies, Roasted Chestnuts, Buttery Popcorn, Chocolate Chip cookies or Stuffed Cabbage Soup, all cooked fresh in the pots on the open fire hearth which also warmed the house on a cool afternoon. The museum was even selling a cookbook, Down Jersey Cookbook on some of the recipes being used in this part of New Jersey.

Cooking pies, soup, chestnuts and popcorn in the fireplace

The pies, Chestnuts and soups being cooked in the Open Hearth

It was interesting how the pies were cooked in the cast iron equipment and then laid out to cool. They came out of the oven steaming hot and sat to cool before being sliced.

The freshly baked Pumpkin pie

Freshly baked Apple pie

Freshly baked Apple pie. Yum!

Stuffed Cabbage Soup in a cast iron pot

The thick Stuffed Pepper Soup

Freshly Roasted Chestnuts from the fireplace

The pots and pans in the fire

It was fun watching the foods being cooked right on the spot they way they would have over a hundred years ago. It was even more fun to eat them. I learned a thing or two about the culinary arts this afternoon and it was so nice to sit in a warm kitchen by the fire on a cool November afternoon.

The delicious Fall goodies cooked in the hearth

Farm supplies kept cool in the barn

It was really a homey event at the museum, with good food and wonderful conversation with residents of the community. All in a room warmed by a fire in a working fireplace. I love it when museums do such great events and using the historical cooking instruments was very unique.

The Museum is in a rural location so the farmland that surrounds the house is really beautiful. The views in the fall were just gorgeous when the leaves were turning colors.

The beautiful farmland that surrounds the historical society.

The view on a late Fall day

The view of the local farm

The fields

The plaque of the “Quinton K. Baker Canhouse, the last one left.

The historic cars and fire trucks on display at the museum that day:

The Model T

The Hancock Bridge’s 1928 Hose truck

The cars on display that day

The front of the museum on my visit in November 2025

The back of museum during my visit in November 2025

The museum is open six times a year for special events. Please check out their website and their Facebook page for details. The Pie event was the last event for the season until the Spring.

The Paterson Museum 2 Market Street Paterson, NJ 07501

The Paterson Museum

2 Market Street

Paterson, NJ 07501

(973) 321-1260

Open: Monday-Friday 10:00am-4:00pm/Sunday-Sunday 12:30pm-4:30pm

Fee: Free

http://www.thepatersonmuseum.com/

http://www.patersonmuseum.com

https://www.patersonnj.gov/department/?structureid=16

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g46718-d2704664-Reviews-Paterson_Museum-Paterson_New_Jersey.html?m=19905

The front of the museum

The Paterson Museum is an interesting museum of the history of the City of Paterson, NJ. The museum is broken into different sections of the City’s history. The museum discusses from the time that the Lenape Indians lived in the area to the rise of colonization and then to how it developed into the Silk City through city planning and placement. The museum covers the history of the City of Paterson in the industrial Age as well with the rise of the Silk Industry, the Wright Airplane Factory, the Colt Revolver and the growth of the hospital industry in the City.

Paterson Fire Department

The Public Safety exhibition

Paterson Steam Engine

Take time to look at the live displays of minerals, Native American artifacts, old fire department equipment and the life and times of its native son, Lou Costello.

The inside of the Paterson Museum

The nice part of this museum is that the parking is free, it can be toured in about two to three hours and it is walking distance to the Paterson Falls and to Little Peru restaurants. It is also free.

The Paterson Falls up the road

Little Peru down the road

The Introduction:

The Welcome Center

The Paterson Museum offers a ‘History within History’ experience. Located inside the former erecting shop if the Rogers Locomotive & Machine Works, the museum, presents a glimpse of the rich history and the many factors that gave rise to Paterson, New Jersey: “America’s First Planned Industrial City.”

From the natural wonders and the first inhabitants of the land that lay below and above the ground to the vital role Paterson played in setting of our nation’s industrial course. Through the museum’s exhibits. you’ll find out why Paterson was known for more than a century as the “Silk City.”

Silk City

You’ll discover that Paterson was at the forefront of locomotive, submarine and airplane engine development. And that’s just the beginning of our story. By the time you finish your visit, you will want to learn more about this city that surrounds the Great Falls.

The Exhibitions:

Paterson Residents: There are exhibitions on such celebrity natives as Lou Costello and his life after living in Paterson are shown in detail.

The Lou Costello exhibition

The Lou Costello exhibition

Baseball players, football players and actors have shown against all odds and color barriers they found success in the world with Paterson being their roots.

Sports in Paterson, NJ

The Silk Industry

Silk City: The history of Paterson as ‘Silk City’ features winders, warpers and power-looms that produced beautiful fabrics. How the Falls and the location of the City of Paterson played its part in the garment industry at the turn of the last century. Not just in the silk industry but also in other companies like the Wright Aeronautical Corporation and the their time as a manufacturer in Paterson.

The Paterson Fire Department

The Paterson Fire and Police Departments: The history and development of both the Paterson Police and Fire Departments are told through pictures, stories, uniforms and equipment through the ages. There are many turn of the last century fire trucks in the museum.

World War Exhibition: The museum has a wonderful exhibition on the history of Paterson and the role it played in the World Wars. There are all sorts of uniforms, munitions and stories to tell.

The War years

The Veterans exhibition

Geographical: There is a whole side exhibition of gems and minerals both native and from all over the country at the museum and a full display of native New Jersey stone formations. There is also a discussion of how the Falls played such an important role inf the development not just of the City of Paterson but of New Jersey as well.

The Minerals

Alexander Hamilton Exhibit: The history and life of Alexander Hamilton is told from the time he was born in the Caribbean to his coming to the United States, his marriage and his rise through the ranks of the government. There is how he helped develop the banking industry and paying of the government debts to his fall from grace and his eventual fatal duel with Aaron Burr.

The Alexander Hamilton exhibit

Lenape Indian Culture: The Lenape Native American culture is shown how the tribes developed, lived, worked and hunted and gathered to create the society that was in place before colonization.

The Lenape exhibit

There are all sorts of tools, displays on their regions of living, language, housing (there is a recreation of a Tee Pee here), that native wardrobe and a complete display of tools and arrow heads. It is a very detailed account of life as a Lenape Indian.

Lenape Exhibition at the Paterson Art Museum

The Lenape Indian exhibition

The Lenape exhibition

The museum shows the history not just of Paterson but of the surrounding areas and how growth of the City of Paterson made an impact on the region.

The history of Paterson, NJ

The history of Paterson, NJ

The history of Paterson, NJ at 109 years old

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: