buzzworthy
Wayne
SCHUYLER-COLFAX HOUSE
Passaic County officials have taken full control of the oldest home inWayne . Approved in May byWayne officials , the transfer of the SCHUYLER-COLFAX HOUSE on Hamburg Turnpike gainedauthorization from the county ’ s Board ofCommissioners during its July 18 meeting . Full control of the property allows countyofficials to seek select grants and other funding opportunities unavailableonthe local level .
Eight generations of the Schuyler-Colfax family lived in the house before June 1993 , whenWayne officials approved the purchase of the property . After suffering roof damage in 1999 , the home underwent considerable renovations that included electrical upgrades , structural stabilization and aroof replacement .
Since 2020 , the county has served as official caretaker for the Schuyler-Colfax House and two other municipally owned structures in town . The home has nonetheless remained off limits to the general public . Mayor Christopher Vergano says it needs a “ tremendous amount of work .”
— DAVID M . ZIMMER AND PHILIP DEVENCENTIS
Paterson / Garret Mountain
LAMBERTCASTLE ’ SVIRTUAL WING
LAMBERTCASTLE ’ SNORTH WING , whichwas demolished nearly 90 years ago , is making a comeback — through virtual reality . Passaic County officials recently agreed to spend $ 36,000 on a virtual reality experience that will allow users to tour the Paterson landmark ’ s 1896 addition , built to hold owner Catholina Lambert ’ s teeming art collection . Historic images and floor plans from the county archives should ensure a precise digital reconstructionthat will be viewable by thepublic when thecastle reopens in 2024 .
Lambert Castle ’ s north wing stretched 100 feet , with a terrace that was bookended by a sleeping porch andabilliard room . Below , the hall was decorated with work from Botticelli , Renoir , Monet , Rembrandt , Luini , Blacklock andPissarro , accordingtocounty records . In 1934 , officials determined that the wing was structurally unsound , and it was demolished in 1936 by Works Progress Administration workers . Its virtual reconstruction is expected totake several months . Once completed , it will be viewable online , and at the castle using virtual reality headsets .
— DAVID M . ZIMMER
Clifton
CLIFTONAMONG TOPDOZEN PLACES TO LIVE
If youliveinClifton , you can congratulate yourself on yourwisdom : over the summer , CLIFTONTOOK12TH PLACE in Livability . com ’ s10th annual list of thetop 100 cities to live . A website focused on quality of life issues in small andmedium-sizedU . S . cities , Livability uses a point system based on eight categories that add up to an overall score . Thecategoriesofamenities andeconomy carried themost weight this year , followed by education . The site limits the list to populations of 75,000 to 500,000andcitieswith median home values of less than $ 500,000 .
Clifton ’ s proximityto New York and scenic nature preserves give it an edge over other regions , Livability found . The list also highlights some of Clifton ’ s localamenities , including the Clifton Arts Center and Rutt ’ s Hut ; its rank as third among the top100 cities considered for education ; a relatively low cost of living , and itsculturally diverse population .
— EMMA FERSCHWEILER
HOUSE : PHILIP DEVENCENTIS ; VINTAGE MANSION : COURTESY OF PASSAIC COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
6 BACK TOSCHOOL 2023 WAYNE MAGAZINE