By Carol Goggi
The long-awaited move of Mountainside’s historic Levi Cory House took place on Saturday, November 2, 2013. During that morning, the house made its way north on New Providence Road toward its final destination, Constitution Plaza adjacent to the Mountainside Library and the Deacon Andrew Hetfield House.
This historic property on the corner of New Providence Road and Mountain Avenue (2 New Providence Rd.) in Mountainside was sold in the summer of 2013. The seller and buyer graciously agreed to allow the Mountainside Restoration Committee to take possession of the landmark structure located on the property and save it by moving it to a secure location.
The structure (circa 1810-1818), which was most recently the home of Patterson Interiors preceded by Barrett & Crain Realtors, was originally owned by the Woodruff family who were prominent members of the “West Fields” of Elizabethtown and Mountainside communities. Levi Cory once owned the house and rented it (in 1892) to the founders of the “Children’s Country Home” as a summer retreat for inner city children. In 1962, the Children’s Country Home was renamed the Children’s Specialized Hospital, the largest rehabilitation children’s hospital in the nation.
Because of its significance in the history of the Mountainside/Westfield area, the Mountainside Restoration Committee took on the task of moving the house to save it from destruction. The Borough of Mountainside allowed the Committee to use borough-owned property located on Constitution Plaza between the Mountainside Fire Department and Mountainside Library to situate the Levi Cory house placing it next door to Mountainside’s Deacon Andrew Hetfield House, a very suitable neighbor.
The Mountainside Restoration Committee continues to rely on donations and fund raising to support the continued restoration of the Levi Cory House the preparation required to allow the house to be opened to the public. This restoration and preparation includes exterior repair, interior repair, installation of utilities, installation of porch and door, and furnishings. Parties interested in helping to fund this restoration and preparation are asked to contact the committee at (908)789-9420; or email: hetfieldhouse1@yahoo.com. Donations can also be made online at www.mountainsidehistory.org; or mailed to Carol Clark – Treasurer, MRC/Levi Cory House, 308 Summit Rd., Mountainside, NJ 07092 (checks payable to Mountainside Restoration Committee). The Mountainside Restoration Committee is a 501(c)(3) charity and donations are tax-deductible. Since the Mountainside Restoration Committee is an allvolunteer committee, 100% of the proceeds will go toward costs associated with the restoration and preparation of the Levi Cory House.
Since the 2013 move of the Levi Cory House, private donations; and grant money from the 1772 Foundation and the Westfield Service League have resulted in a new roof, repaired fascia, repaired foundation sill, removal of bow window, replacement of cedar siding and stairs to the basement crawl space. Much more is needed to restore the structure so it can open as a museum for children’s interests, a consignment boutique and a community meeting place.
The Mountainside Restoration Committee (aka the Mountainside Historic Committee) is a committee of volunteers governed by the Borough of Mountainside whose purpose is to maintain the Deacon Andrew Hetfield House, save the Levi Cory House and collect and save historic information and items from destruction. For further information, please call (908)789- 9420; or, go to: www.mountainsidehistory.org.
(above) A vintage photo of the Levi Cory house as it appeared in the early 1900s. Recently, the bow window was removed from the Levi Cory house and replaced with siding to restore it to its original appearance.
