This old Apple Tree House

There are a number of old homes in Jersey City. Many dating back to the late 1800s have been restored, especially in Downtown Jersey City. But restoration takes time, public involvement and lots of money.

That's the case of the Apple Tree House located on Academy Street in Journal Square. Also known as the Van Wagenen House because of the family that owned the house from the late 1600s to the late 1940s, the house is believed to be one of the oldest in the city, and according to legend, was the site of a meeting between George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette under an apple tree in front of the house.

The house was also the location of the Quinn Funeral Home for a number of years, but recently has been abandoned and fallen into disrepair.

But since 2001, there has been much activity toward restoring the house, currently owned by the city.

Recently, the city commissioned a report from Holt Morgan Russell Architects, based in Princeton, which detailed the history and architecture of the house.

On May 4, there was a ceremony on the grounds of the Apple Tree House to announce that the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation is granting $1.3 million in Urban Enterprise Zones (UEZ) Funds toward the restoration of the Apple Tree House.

UEZ refers to business zones designed in municipalities such as Jersey City, where designated businesses charge 3 percent sales tax, half of the 6 percent state sales tax.

The UEZ revenues collected can then be used by the municipality to be applied toward public improvements.

City officials and activists involved in restoring the Apple Tree House were on hand for the ceremony. Restoration work is to start this summer.

©The Hudson Reporter 2005