Living in History
The Samuel Van Saun historical landmark is still a place to call home
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WAYNE MAGAZINE MAY 2015
BUILT TO LAST The Samuel Van Saun House was built on farmland that included a valuable
stream. The house has been designated a historical landmark by the state of New Jersey.
COURTESY OF JIM BATES
T
he Samuel Van
Saun House is a
historical landmark
built in Wayne in
1769. It served as
Revolutionary War
headquarters for Major General
Marquis de Lafayette and his
troops during the 1780 encampment of the Continental Army. Now it is
home to Robert and Mary Tiefenbacher.
Van Saun built this sturdy house with
14” thick native brownstone on farmland
that contained a valuable stream. The Van
Saun House had several owners before
Dr. Aaron Laauwe purchased the run
down house and surrounding property in
1875, and modernized it in Victorian
style. Laauwe replaced the original roof
WRITTEN BY CAROL BOTT JARGER