Sydenham House

Sydenham House

The Sydenham House is the oldest house in Newark. Built in 1711, before Newark obtained its city charter, it represents a prototype of an early American homestead. The house has a traditional salt-box style with one side of the gabled roof extending further to the back while the timber frame construction of oak and pine beams rests on stone foundations. This house occupies a prominent position being situated right across Branch Brook park.

1711

extant

The house was built for newlyweds John and Susannah Sydenham around 1711. The house was expanded in 1836, with renovations done to the back portion, and the section's roof being raised. The house remained in the possession of the Sydenham family for 200 years and it was sold in 1954. Dorland and Elizabeth Henderson, owners of the house beginning in 1954, worked on the authentic restoration of the house. The Hendersons gifted the house to the Newark Museum in the late 1990's, but the museum declined because of the cost of upkeep. More renovations on the interior have been executed by present private owners to reflect contemporary living standards.

Files:

National Register of Historic Places, Sydenham House, Newark, Essex County, New Jersey, National Register #70000384

Articles:

GUY, STERLING. "Welcome to Newark's past; Restoration of 1712 Sydenham House earns honors from preservation group." Star-Ledger, The (Newark, NJ) 25 May 2007: 023.NewsBank. Web. 19 July 2016.

Lucy, Santos. "Branch Brook Park and the Sydenham House are good places to visit in the fall." Newark Examiner (NJ) 07 Oct. 2013: NewsBank. Web. 19 July 2016.

Martin, Antoinette. "Putting a Value on a 'Priceless' House." New York Times 16 Oct. 2005: 12. Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 19 July2016. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/16/realestate/putting-a-value-on-a-priceless-house.html?_r=0

Books:

Longendyck, Catharine, and Kathleen P. Galop. Forest Hill. Charleston, S.C.: Arcadia Publishing, 2014, p. 24-27

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. 1.

Historic American Buildings Survey. "John Sydenham House, Old Road to Bloomfield, Newark, Essex County, NJ." HABS NJ,7-NEARK,5- 8] http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/hh/item/nj0051/