Westwood Historic Preservation Commission

08/01/2026

07/31/2026

🏡 Will New Jersey soon offer tax credits for owners of residential historic homes?

New Jersey already offers a successful historic preservation tax credit program for income-producing properties, but owner-occupied residential historic homes have long been left out. 

A newly proposed bill aims to change that by recognizing the role that residential homeowners also play in preserving our architectural and cultural heritage.

The HOMEOWNERS’ HISTORIC PROPERTY REINVESTMENT ACT seeks to incentivize preservation by creating a state income tax credit for certain rehab costs for historic residential properties. Under the current proposal, both interior and exterior work would qualify. The goal is to make it easier and more affordable for residential homeowners to invest in preservation.

Why does this matter? 

Well, for starters, VIBES. Well-maintained historic homes give neighborhoods character - a sense of place that transcends time and generations. 

Homes are not meant to be museums. Rehabilitation empowers homeowners to preserve unique features while enjoying modern amenities we’ve come to expect at home.

Not to mention, numerous studies have proven that well-maintained historic homes increase property values. Charm, evidence of the past, unique details, craftsmanship, and a distinct energy can have wide reaching impacts across neighborhoods and municipalities with a large inventory of historic homes.

What can you do?

You can write or call your state representatives to voice your support for historic preservation and what tax credits for historic residential properties would mean for you and your community! 

Read more about the particulars at the link from Preservation New Jersey below.

https://preservationnj.org/proposed-nj-tax-credit-for-historic-home-rehabilitation/ 

The draft New Jersey Legislation S3545/ A870 is also available on our LinkTree.

07/30/2026

208 Fairview Avenue, “Ice box” Gas Station

Ever heard of an “Ice Box” gas station? Well, Westwood has one!

This classic gas station building is a time capsule that evokes the post WWII period.

The Ice Box name is rooted in the exterior façade porcelain enamel steel panels that were made the same way as refrigerator exteriors (and other appliances).

In 1876, a residence owned by J. C. Duke stood at this location, but by 1914 the house was gone. An aerial photographic survey of New Jersey done in 1931 shows that a building was here, but what it was is unknown. By 1953, photos showed the current building shape and by 1964, the white porcelain enamel steel panel exterior was visible in the aerial photos.

This gas station was likely originally a Gulf brand station with white panels, three rows of rounded blue banding, and blue foundational panels at the bottom.

At some point this became a Citgo station, and a band of the corporate orange and red colors was introduced above the rows of blue Gulf banding. The blue foundational panels were also painted the Citgo orange color. Chipped paint reveals the old color.

Today this is Fairview Automotive. While you can’t get gas here (the tanks were removed) you can get your car repaired along with a dose of nostalgia!

History courtesy of HPC’s business history project, 2022.

07/29/2026

TAX CREDITS FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Tax credits are a win-win for historic building owners and communities alike.

The Federal Historic Tax Credit aka the HISTORIC TAX CREDIT (HTC) provides a 20% tax credit for qualifying rehabilitations of income-producing historic buildings. 

The credit often covers a significant portion of rehab costs and ensures historic buildings remain viable and impactful for generations to come.

Since its inception in 1976, the HTC has leveraged over $257 billion in private investment, created more than 3 million jobs, and helped rehab over 50,000 historic properties.

Administered jointly by the NPS and State Historic Preservation Offices, rehabilitation plans must follow the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation to ensure historic features and materials are preserved wherever possible and new construction is compatible. A building must also be listed on the National Register of Historic Places or contribute to a historic district. 

In New Jersey, the Historic Property Reinvestment Program administered by the NJ Economic Development Authority builds on the historic tax credit and covers up to 60% of rehab costs and streamlines eligibility for many projects.

In New Jersey, newly proposed legislation to expand the tax credit for homeowners of residential historic properties is under review. Future posts will cover this, including how YOU can advocate for preservation credits at the state level.

Tax credits can make historic preservation more attainable and attractive for building owners by easing financial challenges. They encourage investment, strengthen downtowns, create housing and vibrant commercial spaces, support local tradespeople, and help preserve the places that give our communities their unique character and sense of place.

For more information about tax credits for historic preservation, check out the NPS, NJ State Historic Preservation Office and the NJ Economic Development Authority. 

📸 historic architecture in Westwood, courtesy of HPC archives, 2022

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07/19/2026

🏡 Architectural Spotlight: 84 Washington Avenue

The historic Samuel P. Cole House is significant for being a fully intact example of American Second Empire architecture. Sometimes called Second Empire Baroque, the style was popular after the American Civil War and drew inspiration from Classical architectural forms.

It was built by Samuel P. Cole, a carpenter who likely constructed the home with his own hands. He purchased the property in 1870 from George T. Brickell. Cole acquired the neighboring lot in 1875.

It features a two and a half story square main block, wrap-around porch, classic period double-door entry, mansard roof, crafted wooden brackets beneath the roofline, and narrow two-over-two double hung windows. Simple columns with chamfered mid-sections on plinths recall classical styling. The house is finished in narrow clapboard siding and architectural asphalt shingles that look like slate. Above the second floor windows an unadorned architrave sits beneath a plain frieze. Dormer windows feature ornamentation that mirrors rake board cut-outs.

The Samuel P. Cole House has witnessed generations of Westwood’s history, making it significant not only for its architecture but also for the people who shaped our community. Among its notable owners was former Mayor Arthur A. Berdais, whose vision brought projects such as Westwood Plaza Shopping Center, Westwood Hills Apartments, and Pascack Valley Hospital to the borough.

Thanks to thoughtful stewardship by generations of owners, especially current owners Visions Federal Credit Union, the house remains remarkably well preserved.

It was formally designated a historic landmark in October 2024.

The Samuel P. Cole House is a tangible link to our shared past and demonstrates Westwood’s transformation from a rural crossroads into the thriving borough we know as the Hub of the Pascack Valley.

The complete Historic Building Report is available on the HPC’s page of the borough website, on our LinkTree, and linked below!

http://westwoodnj.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1128/Cole-House-84-Washington-Ave

07/14/2026

Can a historic building expand and adapt without losing what makes it special?

YES!

Historic buildings are recognized for their significance, but that doesn’t mean they must remain frozen in time. They often need to adapt to serve new uses, and sometimes that means adding new spaces, even to designated sites.

A successful addition should be compatible with the historic building in terms of scale, materials, proportions, and placement. It should also complement the historic building without copying it, allowing visitors to distinguish between what is original vs new.

This can be achieved through numerous design techniques, including:
- setting new construction back from the original building
- Incorporating architectural features that reflect but don’t copy similar features on the historic building
- Using materials in the same color range
- Aligning windows and doors with the existing design

This topic is important because additions on historic buildings have the potential to damage or change significant historic features, even destroy character.

NPS PRESERVATION BRIEF 14: NEW EXTERIOR ADDITIONS TO HISTORIC BUILDINGS provides guidance - including visual illustrations - to explain and clarify what a thoughtful addition looks like (and what a bad one looks like, too!) so that the character of a historic building is preserved. The brief is designed to be referenced by building and home owners, architects, and developers alike.

Historic preservation isn’t about freezing buildings in time. It’s about finding thoughtful ways to meet today’s needs while honoring yesterday’s craftsmanship.

When done well, new additions allow historic buildings to remain active, useful, and vibrant parts of our communities for generations to come.

You can access the brief below or at our LinkTree!
https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1739/upload/preservation-brief-14-exterior-additions.pdf

Have you seen a modern addition to a historic building that you thought worked especially well? Share your favorite examples in the comments!

📸pics courtesy of NPS

07/10/2026

209-211 Center Avenue

Built in 1924, the property was once a greenhouse owned by Frank Lorraine. After purchasing the land, he constructed the building that we see today.

The three-story mixed-use building features a stepped and pedimented parapet, soldier-laid bricks accentuated by white tiles over the third floor, an English Renaissance-style cast-stone plaque inscribed with “1924”, and a hipped pent roof covered in Spanish tile over the first floor.

It is a standout example of 1920s commercial architecture, and a lasting reminder of the borough’s growth during the early 20th century!

The apartments became home to generations of Westwood residents, each with their own story noted in local papers. Among residents here was Edna Brickell Hopper, daughter of former Westwood Mayor Thomas E. Brickell, whose family played an important role in shaping the borough by donating the land for today’s Municipal Building.

In 1939, Ernest Alexander, who operated a farm in Montvale, was fined for improper care of his chickens. In his defense, he neglected his farm because he was sick. In 1944, Sergeant Robert B. Shellerup’s parents, Viggio and Geraldine, were extremely proud of their son who received the Army good conduct medal. Tragically, Viggio Shellerup died of injuries in 1944 when he fell into the cellar of this building after the door in the sidewalk was left open.

The storefronts have also evolved with the times. Businesses included The Sewing Shop in the 1940s and Ibex Collectibles in the early 1990s, a favorite for animation art, sports cards, rare coins, and collectibles. Since 1994, the law office of L. Scott Beroben, PA has occupied both storefronts. 

Historic buildings aren’t just defined by their architecture, but by cultural memory - the generations of people who lived, worked, celebrated milestones, built businesses, and helped shape the story of Westwood.

History and current photos provided by the HPC’s business district history project, commissioned in 2022. 

06/17/2026

TONIGHT!

We hope you can join us for the next installment of the Revolutionary Speaker Series presented by Cynthia Affinito !

Take a lively journey through America’s milestone anniversary celebrations.

From the 1926 Sesquicentennial to the Bicentennial and beyond, discover how generations of Americans marked the nation’s biggest milestones.

📍 Meet us at the Woman’s Club of Westwood, 205 Kinderkamack Road (parking available behind the building)

⏰ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

🎟️ Free admission – no registration required

This engaging presentation is open to all ages and is part of the Westwood Historic Preservation Commission’s celebration of our nation’s 250th.

Whether you remember these celebrations firsthand or want to learn more about America’s history, this is an evening you won’t want to miss!

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