Plume House

Plume House

House of Prayer Episcopal Church Rectory

This Dutch Colonial house is the second oldest extant building in Newark. This building features certain characteristics of 18th century residential architecture in America such as hand-hewn timber framing and flooring, and locally quarried sandstone. On the exterior a pedimented porch stands out in the symmetrical façade, while two chimneys mark the edges of the gable roof. On the interior, deep window sills for the windows and prominent wood paneling enhance the character of the colonial domestic style.

c. 1725

extant

Originally, the house was owned by the Plume family, early settlers, who built it in 1725. During the Revolutionary War, legend has it that George Washington visited the house. In 1849, the house was sold to the adjacent House of Prayer Church, thereby changing its function to a rectory. In 1874, an addition was added in the rear. Of particular importance, during this period, is the work carried out by Rev. Hannibal Goodwin in the attic of this house where he invented the celluloid film. Since the U.S. Court of Appeals 1914 decision, Goodwin has been acknowledged as the true inventor of flexible film, a crucial product for the development of the motion picture industry.
Recently, concerns have been raised over the structural integrity of the house, jeopardized by the vibrations of the I-280 highway overpass at close proximity to this house. The “Friends of the Plume House”, a non-profit organization created in 2014, is advocating for the preservation and restoration of the Plume house.

Foster, Robin. "With Newark preparing to celebrate 350 years, city's historic Plume House in danger of being lost | Opinion." The Star Ledger (27 June 2015). http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/06/with_newark_preparing_to_celebrate_350_years_citys.html

Gordon, Mark W., and Anthony Schuman, editors. Newark Landmark Treasures: A Guide to the Landmark Buildings, Parks, Public Art & Historic Districts in New Jersey’s Metropolis. Newark Preservation and Landmarks Committee, 2016, p. 2.

National Register of Historic Places, House of Prayer Episcopal Church and Rectory, Newark, Essex County, New Jersey, National Register #72000777

Georgian

Historic American Buildings Survey. "House of Prayer, Rectory, 407 Broad Street, Newark, Essex County, NJ." HABS NJ-14
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/hh/item/nj0498/