During this holiday season of giving, why not consider giving a “gift of history” this year? The Mountainside Historic Committee is in need of funding to take the next steps in the restoration of the historic Levi Cory House. The circa 1818 Levi Cory House was moved in 2013 from downtown Mountainside to Constitution Plaza in order to save the historic structure from demolition. During the 1890s, the Levi Cory House was the site of the original Children’s Country Home which later became The Children’s Specialized Hospital.
Dozens of Mountainside residents volunteer their time and talents tirelessly toward the preservation of Mountainside history and planning quaint home town events for your enjoyment, but funding is needed to continue and complete the job. Grants have helped immensely in funding the work that has already been done but these are matching grants and in order to apply for more grants, funds are needed to match the grant money dollar for dollar. Thanks to all previous donors who have helped make matching these past grants a possibility.
While much work has been done on the house, there is still a long way to go before the house can open to the public as a Museum for Children’s Interests. Now that the new roof is in place, work can begin on removing the bay window, painting, and restoring the original porches; not to mention the installation of utilities including gas, electric and water. It’s a slow process which continues as funds become available.
In order to achieve these goals, the Committee encourages Mountainsiders and others to “give a gift of history” in three ways:
1) Give a “tribute” donation to the Mountainside Restoration Committee, Inc. in honor of your gift recipient. These funds will go directly toward the Levi Cory House restoration. The Committee will issue a card commemorating your gift for your presentation.
a) “Put a Plaque” in the Levi Cory House. By purchasing a plaque, individuals, groups and businesses can show their support of historic restoration by “putting a plaque in” the Levi Cory House. Permanent brass plaques will be placed inside the Levi Cory House and will remain there for the life of the house. These plaques will indicate your sponsorship of the architectural features contained within the house such as doors, windows, fireplaces, stairways, or entire rooms. What a wonderful gift to honor someone important in your life.
b) Place the Mountainside Restoration Committee on your list for gift giving. This would be a gift that keeps on giving as the funds would be used to preserve the history of Mountainside and its historic buildings for generations. To donate or purchase a plaque, please contact the Mountainside Restoration Committee, Inc. at (908)789-9420; or go to: www.mountainsidehistory.org.
The Deacon Andrew Hetfield House and The Levi Cory House are located at Constitution Plaza (Watchung Ave., off Birch Hill Rd.) adjacent to the Mountainside Library.
Levi Cory House
