Submitted by Carol Goggi
During an open house held on December 8, 2018, the Mountainside Historic Restoration Committee held a grand opening of the circa 1818 Levi Cory House which was moved to Constitution Plaza five years ago. Originally located at the corner of New Providence Road and Mountain Avenue, the house was the location of the first Children’s Country Home during the 1890s, before expanding to its current location as the Children’s Specialized Hospital. After years of repair, renovation and restoration, it is now open as Museum for Children’s Interests and Boutique. Prior to the Grand Opening, the Levi Cory House was opened for a few weekends as a Holiday Boutique where many visitors got a preview of the restored house. In the future, two porches will be built onto the house in order to restore it to its original form.
During the open house, several dedications were held. The lower level living room was dedicated in Honor of Deb & Scott Daniels by the Committee. An upper level Children’s School, Sports & Scouts Room was dedicated in Memory of Ryan Patrick Faella funded by the Ryan Patrick Faella Foundation. In addition, two windows in the House were dedicated – one to the memory of former Mountainside Mayor Bob Viglianti by his family; and another in Honor of Mary Greeley and Carol Goggi by the Mountainside Girl Scouts.
The Levi Cory House and Deacon Andrew Hetfield House are located at Constitution Plaza (Watchung Ave., off Birch Hill Rd.) adjacent to the Mountainside Library. The Mountainside Restoration Committee is a 501 (c)(3) charity and a committee of volunteers whose purpose is to maintain the Deacon Andrew Hetfield House, restore and maintain the Levi Cory House and collect and save historic Mountainside information and items from destruction. For further information, please call 908-789-9420 or go to mountainsidehistory.org
(above) Bagpipers play as guests arrive to the Grand Opening celebration of the Levi Cory House on December 8, 2019.
(above) Mayor Paul Mirabelli welcomes the crowd to the Grand Opening celebration of the Levi Cory House.
(above) The ribbon is cut by Scott Daniels and Sandy VanderMeer during the Grand Opening of the Levi Cory House.
(above) Scott Daniels, Chairman of the Mountainside Restoration Committee, listens as the 1st floor living room is dedicated in honor of Deb & Scott Daniels.
(above) Mayor Paul Mirabelli speaks during the dedication of a window in Memory of former Mayor Bob Viglianti.
(above) Sean, Mary and Al Faella react to the dedication of the Levi Cory House’s School, Sports & Scouts Room in Memory of Ryan Patrick Faella.
(above) Mary Greeley and Carol Goggi look on as a window in the School, Sports & Scouts room is dedicated in their honor by the Mountainside Girl Scouts.
(above) Guests enjoy the reception during the Grand Opening of the Levi Cory House on December 8, 2019.
