Submitted by Maureen Strazdon
Cranford Preservation Award was recently presented to the Sunny Acres Civic and Improvement Association. The Award ceremony, sponsored jointly by the Cranford Historical Society and the Cranford Historic Preservation Advisory Board (HPAB), was held at the Hanson House and was attended by residents of Sunny Acres, and members of HPAB and the Historical Society.
Christine Glazer, Trustee and Program Chair of the Cranford Historical Society, welcomed attendees and mentioned that she had grown up in Sunny Acres. She then introduced Maureen Strazdon, Chair of HPAB, who gave a short history of Sunny Acres and presented the Award to Carole Esposito, President of the Sunny Acres Civic and Improvement Association.
Ms. Strazdon mentioned that Sunny Acres was the first such housing development that was entirely planned and executed by Sears Roebuck, that it represented the largest planned development of single-family homes in Cranford the first half of the twentieth century, and that it was the first development in Cranford that made 30-year mortgages available to potential home owners, making home ownership an option for working and middle class families.
Sunny Acres is in the southern section of Cranford, and includes Mohawk and Algonquin Drives; Oneida, Mohican, and Iroquois Places, and Iroquois, Cherokee, and Raritan Roads. Developed between 1940 and 1943 by Sears, it is a community of 172 Cape-Cod and Colonial Revival style houses. Twelve numbered models of the basic house were offered, but by placing the main body of the house at different angles to the street and moving the garage around, different looks were achieved. Significantly, 134 or about 78 percent have retained most of their original design.
In accepting the Award, Ms. Esposito said that the Association has been an advocate for and historian of Sunny Acres since its inception in June 1941, as well as a source of social action and community activity. Social activities in the past and present include fielding children’s and adult sports teams, dances, and social outings, and perhaps most notably, the annual baby parade
At the end of the presentation Ms. Strazdon announced that HPAB has initiated the process to have Sunny Acres designated as a Cranford Historic District. Letters are being sent to all residents describing the designation, and there will be a public meeting on May 30, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Center to hear comments. A proposal supporting the nomination is available at the Municipal Building.
Being designated as a local Historic District will recognize Sunny Acres as a significant community in the history, and the social and economic development of our town. Designation does not prevent owners from making any changes to their properties.
Founded in 1927, the Cranford Historical Society is a private organization whose mission is to preserve and perpetuate the history of Cranford. For more information, visit cranfordhistoricalsociety.com.
The Cranford Historic Preservation Advisory Board (HPAB) is a Township committee established in 1993. HPAB’s mission is to aid in the preservation of Cranford’s architectural heritage through documentation of significant structures, education of the public as to the value of preservation, and advice to the Township on laws and activities impacting preservation. You can find more information on HPAB at preservecranford.com.
(above) Carole Esposito (left), President of the Sunny Acres Civic and Improvement Association, accepts the Preservation Award from Maureen Strazdon, Chair of the Cranford Historic Preservation Advisory Board.
