Task force considers what to do with Old Stone House
By Philip Sean Curran Staff Writer  01/17/2008
South Orange Maplewood News Record

South Orange officials continue to weigh their options about what to do with the Old Stone House, one of the oldest buildings in New Jersey. Helping guide their thinking has been a volunteer committee that recently provided trustees with 32­page report.

The “ Old Stone House Task Force,” created in July, met between August and December to hash out ideas. Members includes representa­tives of village government, South Orange Historical and Preservation Society and private citizens.

During that time, the committee looked at options for the dilapidated public building. They ran the gamut from turning it into a bed and break­fast to calling up the “ Extreme Makeover” TV show.

In the report, the committee acknowledged the village “does not seem to have the expertise to manage a historic restoration project.” Trustees received copies of the report earlier this month. In it, the committee listed four recommenda­tions: demolition, conveyance and two types of adaptive reuse. Conveyance would turn the build over to private ownership.

The report said it “could resolve several issues of public concern, particularly the taxpayer costs to maintain, to insure and to stabilize, restore or rehabilitate the Old Stone House.” Trustee Michael Goldberg said Fri­day it is the one he favors. He felt the public does not support pumping millions of dollars into the building Trustee Stacey Jennings, chair­woman of the task force, said Tuesday that it is unclear if the building could be sold like any other or auctioned off. The Old Stone House is believed to date to the 1600s. As such, it is listed on the state and national registry of historic places.

But the building is in bad shape. South Orange, which owns the build­ing, has spent money to stabilize it. Once a private home, it sits vacant behind police headquarters. Officials have not made up their minds yet.

Jennings said the task force would be extended, to look closer at the four options. She said further study would take eight to nine months.

Maria Heningburg, a member of South Orange Historical Society, sat on the committee.
She said Monday she opposed demolishing the building because it would mean losing a piece of local history.
 

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