Center for Historic American Building Arts-CHABA

Center for Historic American Building Arts-CHABA CHABA. the Center for Historic American Building Arts.

Modeling preservation as an engine of housing improvement, jobs creation, quality of life and economic reinvestment in the largest historic district in the state. Since the 1960s, as Bridgeton’s industrial job-base has shrunk and resident homeowners have moved out or passed on, house-proud maintenance of its thousands of well-crafted, mostly residential structures (which date mainly from the indu

strial boom-period of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries) has often become secondary to the rental housing needs of workers in agriculture, the surviving sector of the local economy. One response to change in the 1970s was to catch the preservationist wave and define the National Historic District (declared in 1983; see BridgetonDistrictMap.pdf). But as agriculture has continued to dominate in relative economic importance, farmworkers and their families, largely from Mexico, have come to account for at least half of Bridgeton’s inhabitants. While some second and even third-generation immigrant families have moved toward home-ownership over that time, many remain transient, and a large proportion of the homes in the sprawling historic district are no longer owner-occupied. Often the cultural and craftsmanly value of such homes has waned in comparison with return on investment as measured by living space for as many people as possible. Few landlords consider sensitive preservation of the visual and historic character of Bridgeton’s housing stock, and the rules that protect it, as more than a barrier to profit. In a market dominated by a few who own hundreds of buildings, the housing politics of the city is best described as a daily struggle for basic housing code compliance (with little if any attention to the provisions of the City’s historic preservation ordinance, even on the part of those who enforce it), accompanied by a grumbling wish that what are perceived as derelict and even dangerous structures and neighborhoods could be obliterated, a final solution that in some cases only the historic ordinance prevents. The mission of the Center for Historic American Building Arts is to moderate this conflict, and, if possible, defuse it. Our community revitalization strategies combine principles of good preservation for both structures and neighborhoods into a genuinely sustainable approach to housing. The goal is not to erase historic protections but to stress incentives, and highlight potential return on owner investment over the police power of code enforcement.

(Part Two)In a letter to the Editor of the Bridgeton Evening News, Oberlin Smith stressed the modesty in the act of layi...
01/10/2026

(Part Two)
In a letter to the Editor of the Bridgeton Evening News, Oberlin Smith stressed the modesty in the act of laying of the cornerstone in 1904, while also focusing on the stone’s historical significance as an individual item. Inside the stone were copies of the Bridgeton Evening News and Bridgeton Pioneer, a Philadelphia daily newspaper, a typewritten history of the business and list of employees, and various photographs. Smith claimed “an important factor upon such an occasion” was the inclusion of a nickel from 1904. Into the 1990s and 2000s, the buildings still stood but were not in great shape. Before its final destruction in 2020, again by fire, the building was the center of debate: how to repurpose it. Many Bridgetonians and public officials suggested office spaces, though the cost for restoration seemed too high, given its deterioration up to that point. When it burned down in early March, Arthur J. Cox and a contractor on-site were able to save the historic cornerstone from the flames, saving that piece of history.
Photograph courtesy of the Cumberland County Historical Society
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(Segunda parte)
En una carta al editor del Bridgeton Evening News, Oberlin Smith destacó la modestia del acto de colocación de la primera piedra en 1904, a la vez que resaltaba su importancia histórica como objeto individual. Dentro de la piedra se encontraron ejemplares del Bridgeton Evening News y del Bridgeton Pioneer, un periódico diario de Filadelfia, una historia mecanografiada del negocio y una lista de empleados, además de varias fotografías. Smith afirmó que «un factor importante en tal ocasión» fue la inclusión de una moneda de cinco centavos de dólar de 1904. Durante las décadas de 1990 y 2000, los edificios aún permanecían en pie, pero no en buen estado. Antes de su destrucción definitiva en 2020, nuevamente por un incendio, el edificio fue objeto de debate sobre su posible reutilización. Muchos residentes de Bridgeton y funcionarios públicos sugirieron convertirlo en oficinas, aunque el costo de la restauración parecía demasiado elevado, dado su deterioro hasta ese momento. Cuando se incendió a principios de marzo, Arthur J. Cox y un contratista presente en el lugar lograron salvar la histórica primera piedra de las llamas, preservando así ese pedazo de historia.
Fotografía cortesía del Cumberland County Historical Society.

Sources/Fuentes:
“The Corner-Stone Laying,” Bridgeton Evening News, May 31, 1904
Chris Franklin, “Historic factory to be torn down after devastating overnight fire,” NJ.com, Mar. 3, 2020 https://www.nj.com/cumberland/2020/03/historic-factory-to-be-torn-down-after-devastating-overnight-fire.html

This photograph, likely from the 1880s, shows a group of Ferracute Machine Works laborers sitting out on the grass. The ...
01/10/2026

This photograph, likely from the 1880s, shows a group of Ferracute Machine Works laborers sitting out on the grass. The men pictured (from left to right) are Charles A. Berry, Henry C. Ware, Joseph Garrison, Henry A. Janvier, P. Kennedy Reeves, Edward Garrison, John Sheppard, and Robert Nichols. Mr. Nichols passed away from tuberculosis in 1886 after fighting it for about a year, and the other men were noted in local newspapers as being employees throughout the 1880s, making it plausible to date this photograph to the earlier half of the 1880s, if not earlier. Not all of the men pictured were machinists. Henry A. Janvier, most notable for his photography, was part of the “draughting” team, a role more artistic and technical in nature than physical. Joseph Garrison, in 1883, worked as the bookkeeper for the company.
Photograph courtesy of the Cumberland County Historical Society
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Esta fotografía, probablemente de la década de 1880, muestra a un grupo de trabajadores de Ferracute Machine Works sentados en el césped. Los hombres que aparecen en la foto (de izquierda a derecha) son Charles A. Berry, Henry C. Ware, Joseph Garrison, Henry A. Janvier, P. Kennedy Reeves, Edward Garrison, John Sheppard y Robert Nichols. El Sr. Nichols falleció de tuberculosis en 1886 tras luchar contra la enfermedad durante aproximadamente un año, y los demás hombres fueron mencionados en periódicos locales como empleados a lo largo de la década de 1880, lo que hace plausible datar esta fotografía en la primera mitad de dicha década, si no antes. No todos los hombres que aparecen en la foto eran maquinistas. Henry A. Janvier, conocido principalmente por su fotografía, formaba parte del equipo de diseño, un puesto más artístico y técnico que físico. Joseph Garrison, en 1883, trabajaba como contable de la empresa.

Sources/Fuentes:
“News Notes,” Bridgeton Evening News, Dec. 31, 1883
“Personal,” Bridgeton Evening News, Sept. 28, 1885
“Death of Robert Nichols,” Bridgeton Evening News, Nov. 6, 1886
“News Notes,” Bridgeton Evening News, Aug. 23, 1887
“Yearly Meeting of Ferracute Alumni,” Bridgeton Evening News, Sept. 10, 1938

(Part One)In May 1904, a group of workers congregated on Commerce Street in Bridgeton, NJ to witness the laying of a cor...
01/10/2026

(Part One)
In May 1904, a group of workers congregated on Commerce Street in Bridgeton, NJ to witness the laying of a cornerstone. This was the beginning of reconstruction for the Ferracute Machine Works & Co. office, as the factories burned down not even a year prior in late September 1903. The fire was not an isolated incident, and local newspapers considered the event “the chief subject of interest,” as Ferracute was one of three large factories in Bridgeton to burn down within two weeks of one another. According to periodicals, the destruction left “one hundred and fifty men” out of work, though other local businesses and factories attempted to share their space with Ferracute’s laborers. In the following months, many Bridgetonians gave support to the company through well-wishes and the purchasing of stocks, which made it possible for them to rebuild in Bridgeton. Oberlin Smith, president of the company, initially wanted the laying of the cornerstone to be a major event with press and visitors, though, in the end, workers and one guest speaker were the only people in attendance, as they ultimately wanted to “be more consistent with modesty.” The workers still dressed for a momentous occasion, many being in suits.
Photograph courtesy of the Cumberland County Historical Society
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(Primera Parte)
En mayo de 1904, un grupo de trabajadores se reunió en la calle Commerce de Bridgeton, Nueva Jersey, para presenciar la colocación de la primera piedra. Este fue el comienzo de la reconstrucción de las oficinas de Ferracute Machine Works & Co., cuyas fábricas se habían incendiado hacía menos de un año, a finales de septiembre de 1903. El incendio no fue un hecho aislado, y los periódicos locales lo consideraron el tema principal de interés, ya que Ferracute fue una de las tres grandes fábricas de Bridgeton que se incendiaron con tan solo dos semanas de diferencia. Según la prensa, la destrucción dejó sin trabajo a ciento cincuenta hombres, aunque otros negocios y fábricas locales intentaron compartir sus instalaciones con los trabajadores de Ferracute. En los meses siguientes, muchos habitantes de Bridgeton apoyaron a la empresa con buenos deseos y la compra de acciones, lo que les permitió reconstruirse en Bridgeton. Oberlin Smith, presidente de la compañía, inicialmente quería que la colocación de la primera piedra fuera un gran evento con prensa y visitantes, aunque, al final, solo asistieron trabajadores y un orador invitado, ya que en última instancia querían “ser más coherentes con la modestia”. Los trabajadores aún se vistieron para una ocasión trascendental, muchos de ellos con traje.
Fotografía cortesía del Cumberland County Historical Society.

Sources/Fuentes:
“The Ferracute and its Prospects,” Bridgeton Evening News, Feb. 3, 1904
“Ferracute for Bridgeton,” Bridgeton Pioneer, March 17, 1904
“The Corner-Stone Laying,” Bridgeton Evening News, May 31, 1904

As an institution, the Cumberland National Bank was founded in 1816. It was first mentioned in the Bridgeton Pioneer in...
01/10/2026

As an institution, the Cumberland National Bank was founded in 1816. It was first mentioned in the Bridgeton Pioneer in 1867, through praises from the editor regarding the bank’s security. So secure that, in spite of the “skillful science in the art of robbery[,] any attempt to break these safeguards would be impossible.” The building pictured here, located on the corner of E. Commerce and Laurel Streets in Bridgeton, NJ, did not exist until 1886. In the 1886 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of Bridgeton, NJ, the outline of the building is drawn with “To Be Built” written under its name. At that point, it had no immediate neighbors. Within five years, the surrounding streets were crowded with various businesses and institutions, including the Cumberland Hotel, druggists, dentists, barbers, and grocers.
Photograph courtesy of the Library of Congress.
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Como institución, el Cumberland National Bank se fundó en 1816. Se mencionó por primera vez en el Bridgeton Pioneer en 1867, gracias a los elogios del editor sobre la seguridad del banco. Tan segura que, a pesar de la "hábil ciencia en el arte del robo, cualquier intento de romper estas salvaguardas sería imposible". El edificio que se muestra aquí, ubicado en la esquina de las calles E. Commerce y Laurel en Bridgeton, Nueva Jersey, no existió hasta 1886. En el Mapa de Seguros contra Incendios de Sanborn de 1886 de Bridgeton, Nueva Jersey, el contorno del edificio aparece dibujado con la leyenda "Por Construir" escrita debajo de su nombre. En ese momento, no tenía vecinos inmediatos. En cinco años, las calles circundantes estaban repletas de diversos negocios e instituciones, incluyendo el Hotel Cumberland, farmacias, dentistas, barberías y tiendas de comestibles.
Fotografía cortesía del Library of Congress.

Sources/ Fuentes:
“Cumberland National Bank,” Bridgeton Pioneer, May 10, 1867
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps from Bridgeton, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Sanborn Map Company. Library of Congress. June 1886; Aug. 1891
“Cumberland National Bank, 59-61 E. Commerce St., Bridgeton, Cumberland County, NJ,” Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress),” https://www.loc.gov/item/nj1495/

The Ferracute Machine-Works building was located on East Commerce Street in Bridgeton, NJ until it was destroyed by a fi...
01/10/2026

The Ferracute Machine-Works building was located on East Commerce Street in Bridgeton, NJ until it was destroyed by a fire in 2010. The structure was built in 1904, though the headquarters and factory buildings were “abandoned and in poor condition” by around 1990. Twenty years later, at the time of the fire, the building lacked structural integrity to withstand the damage and, sadly, had to be demolished for public safety. Although the building no longer exists, the history of Ferracute Machine-Works lives on in interesting ways. In late September 2018, Mihkel Joala (AKA “Robot Muralist”) completed an outdoor mural of the factory buildings that was once globally renowned for their pressed metal and iron products.
Photograph courtesy of the Library of Congress.
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El edificio de Ferracute Machine-Works estaba ubicado en East Commerce Street en Bridgeton, Nueva Jersey, hasta que fue destruido por un incendio en 2010. La estructura se construyó en 1904, aunque la sede y los edificios de la fábrica estaban "abandonados y en mal estado" alrededor de 1990. Veinte años después, en el momento del incendio, el edificio carecía de la integridad estructural necesaria para resistir los daños y, lamentablemente, tuvo que ser demolido por razones de seguridad pública. Aunque el edificio ya no existe, la historia de Ferracute Machine-Works sigue viva de maneras interesantes. A finales de septiembre de 2018, Mihkel Joala (también conocido como "Robot Muralist") completó un mural al aire libre de los edificios de la fábrica, que en su día fue mundialmente conocida por sus productos de metal prensado y hierro.
Fotografía cortesía del Library of Congress.

Sources/Fuentes:
“Ferracute Machine-Works, East Commerce Street, Bridgeton, Cumberland County, NJ,” Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress) https://www.loc.gov/item/nj1494/
“Ferracute Machine Company Mural,” Public Art Archive. https://publicartarchive.org/art/Ferracute-Machine-Company-Mural/9d6c9445
More on Mihkel Joala, “Robot Muralist,” https://www.robotmuralist.eu
John DeRosier, “Mural depicting historic local machinery company coming to Bridgeton,” The Press of Atlantic City, Sept. 25, 2018.
Chris Franklin, “Historic factory to be torn down after devastating overnight fire,” NJ.com, March 3, 2020 https://www.nj.com/cumberland/2020/03/historic-factory-to-be-torn-down-after-devastating-overnight-fire.html

The Cumberland County Hospital, erected in 1899, was originally a psychiatric hospital and later turned into a nursing h...
01/10/2026

The Cumberland County Hospital, erected in 1899, was originally a psychiatric hospital and later turned into a nursing home for the elderly. Sometimes referred to as “The Manor,” the building was highlighted by the Historic American Buildings Survey, available through the Library of Congress, for its “application of high-style design motifs,” and the design being in part “the result of proximity to Philadelphia and its architecture.” By 1982, the building was no longer being used. The first floor windows were boarded up within eight years. As Cumberland County public officials debated what to do with the space—suggestions including office space and storage space—they were always stopped by the high price to restore the structure. Unfortunately, the building did not have a chance to be renovated; in April 1992, the east wing of the hospital was burned down. Within weeks, the structure was demolished. To make matters worse, the clean-up was similarly expensive to any planned restoration projects — the structure was tainted with asbestos and, given its porous building materials (wood, brick, concrete, etc.), the entire building likely became contaminated as a consequence of the demolition, with the hospital caving in on itself. Bridgeton Evening News staff writer, Mike Cudemo, lamented “Now the dream [of renovating the Hospital] is no more. Only the nightmare of cleanup remains.” By 1993, the Cumberland County Improvement Authority worked with officials and contractors, and the group settled on burying the waste on-site, and making the site partially deed-restricted to avoid anyone building on top of the debris.
Photograph courtesy of the Library of Congress.
---El Hospital del Condado de Cumberland, erigido en 1899, fue originalmente un hospital psiquiátrico y posteriormente se convirtió en una residencia para ancianos. Conocido a veces como "The Manor", el edificio fue destacado por la Encuesta de Edificios Históricos Estadounidenses, disponible a través de la Biblioteca del Congreso, por su "aplicación de motivos de diseño de alta gama", siendo este en parte "resultado de la proximidad a Filadelfia y su arquitectura". Para 1982, el edificio dejó de utilizarse. Las ventanas del primer piso fueron tapiadas en ocho años. Mientras los funcionarios públicos del Condado de Cumberland debatían qué hacer con el espacio —sugiriendo que incluyera oficinas y espacio de almacenamiento—, siempre se vieron frenados por el alto costo de restaurar la estructura. Desafortunadamente, el edificio no tuvo la oportunidad de ser renovado; en abril de 1992, el ala este del hospital se incendió. En cuestión de semanas, la estructura fue demolida. Para empeorar las cosas, la limpieza fue tan costosa como cualquier proyecto de restauración planificado: la estructura estaba contaminada con asbesto y, dados sus materiales de construcción porosos (madera, ladrillo, hormigón, etc.), es probable que todo el edificio se contaminara como consecuencia de la demolición, con el hospital derrumbándose. El redactor del Bridgeton Evening News, Mike Cudemo, lamentó: "Ahora el sueño [de renovar el hospital] ya no existe. Solo queda la pesadilla de la limpieza". Para 1993, la Autoridad de Mejoras del Condado de Cumberland trabajó con funcionarios y contratistas, y el grupo decidió enterrar los desechos en el sitio y restringir parcialmente la escritura del sitio para evitar que alguien construyera sobre los escombros.
Fotografía cortesía del Library of Congress.
Sources/Fuentes:
“Cumberland County Hospital, Cumberland Drive (County Road 613), Bridgeton, Cumberland County, NJ,” Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress),https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/master/pnp/habshaer/nj/nj1400/nj1449/data/nj1449data.pdf
Kay Rudderow, “‘Manor’ fire still under investigation,” Bridgeton Evening News, April 14, 1992
Miles Jackson, “Fire-ravaged county hospital is down, but not out,” Bridgeton Evening News, May 6, 1992
Mike Cudemo, “Asbestos ups old ‘Manor’ cleanup costs,” Bridgeton Evening News, Oct. 8, 1992
Mike Cudemo, “County to bury debris from former hospital,” Bridgeton Evening News, Feb. 10, 1993
Kay Rudderow, “Old Manor debris going,” Bridgeton Evening News, April 15, 1994

This undated photograph shows an unnamed Post Office Carrier in Bridgeton, NJ. Based on his uniform, this photo was like...
01/07/2026

This undated photograph shows an unnamed Post Office Carrier in Bridgeton, NJ. Based on his uniform, this photo was likely taken during a late nineteenth- or early twentieth-century winter. In Plainfield, NJ, free mail delivery did not begin until October 1888 and, according to Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, Bridgeton’s post office was located on the corner of E. Commerce and Bank Streets. On each of the man’s sleeves is a service star. Given the photo’s lack of color, it is difficult to determine which star he had. According to the Smithsonian's Postal Museum, one black star was worn after five years of service; one red star after fifteen years; one silver star after twenty-five years; and one gold star after thirty-five years.
Photo Courtesy of the Cumberland County Historical Society
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Esta fotografía sin fecha muestra a un cartero anónimo en Bridgeton, Nueva Jersey. A juzgar por su uniforme, es probable que la foto se tomara durante un invierno de finales del siglo XIX o principios del XX. En Plainfield, Nueva Jersey, el correo gratuito no comenzó hasta octubre de 1888 y, según los mapas de seguros contra incendios de Sanborn, la oficina de correos de Bridgeton estaba ubicada en la esquina de las calles E. Commerce y Bank. En cada manga del hombre se ve una estrella de servicio. Dada la falta de color de la foto, es difícil determinar qué estrella tenía. Según el Museo Postal del Smithsonian, se usaba una estrella negra después de cinco años de servicio; una estrella roja después de quince años; una estrella plateada después de veinticinco años; y una estrella dorada después de treinta y cinco años.
Fotografía cortesía del Cumberland County Historical Society.

Sources/Fuentes:
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps from Bridgeton, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Sanborn Map Company. Library of Congress. Nov. 1915; Oct. 1923
Star-Ledger Staff, “Glimpse of History: Free mail delivery comes to Plainfield in the 1880s,” NJ.com, March 6, 2011 https://www.nj.com/news/local/2011/03/glimpse_of_history_free_mail_d.html
“Carriers and Their Uniforms,” National Postal Museum. Smithsonian. https://postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibition/customers-and-communities-serving-the-cities-city-free-delivery/carriers-and-their

In March 1982, Robert Donaghay was photographed outside his home on 24 Cedar Street, Bridgeton, for the Bridgeton Evenin...
01/07/2026

In March 1982, Robert Donaghay was photographed outside his home on 24 Cedar Street, Bridgeton, for the Bridgeton Evening News. He grew up next door to the house, sometimes referred to as the “Goldberg” house, and attended Bank Street School as a child. When he bought the property, he was an academic advisor at Glassboro State College, now known as Rowan University. The home, which Donaghay helped restore to its Victorian style, had fourteen separate rooms, one being a library. In the article accompanying this photo, Donaghay, Val Edwards (64-66 Bank St., Bridgeton), and Goldie Wulderk are praised as “Believers in Bridgeton” for their willingness “to put their proverbial money where their mouths are” and restore Bridgeton’s history through Victorian house restoration and preservation, rather than put “their hard-working money on fixing up a house in the suburbs.”
Photo courtesy of the Cumberland County Historical Society
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En marzo de 1982, Robert Donaghay fue fotografiado frente a su casa en el número 24 de Cedar Street, Bridgeton, para el Bridgeton Evening News. Creció junto a la casa, a veces llamada la casa "Goldberg", y de niño asistió a la escuela Bank Street. Cuando compró la propiedad, era asesor académico en el Glassboro State College, ahora conocido como la Universidad Rowan. La casa, que Donaghay ayudó a restaurar a su estilo victoriano, contaba con catorce habitaciones independientes, una de las cuales era una biblioteca. En el artículo que acompaña a esta foto, Donaghay, Val Edwards (64-66 Bank St., Bridgeton) y Goldie Wulderk son elogiados como "creyentes en Bridgeton" por su disposición a "poner en práctica sus palabras" y restaurar la historia de Bridgeton mediante la restauración y conservación de casas victorianas, en lugar de invertir su dinero en la reparación de una casa en las afueras.
Fotografía cortesía del Cumberland County Historical Society.

Sources/Fuentes:
“Do You Know?” Bridgeton Evening News, April 21, 1944
Society of New Jersey Artists Holds Anniversary Dinner,” Bridgeton Evening News, May 24, 1972
“Believers in Bridgeton,” Bridgeton Evening News, March 8, 1982
Eileen Bennett, “Home, Sweet Home,” Bridgeton Evening News, Mar. 8, 1982

This Victorian-style residence was built in 1900 by R. Winfield and Reuben C. Hunt, brothers and business partners in Br...
01/07/2026

This Victorian-style residence was built in 1900 by R. Winfield and Reuben C. Hunt, brothers and business partners in Bridgeton, NJ. According to newspaper advertisements, the two exclusively sold “Canton Flannel” in 1895 and, by 1904, also offered shoes, underwear, different fabrics, and “house furnishing department specials.” The house stands at 64-66 Bank St., and each brother lived on one side of the property with their respective families. Mr. and Mrs. Val Edwards owned the home by the 1980s, the former calling it a “dream come true,” and, on at least one occasion, hosted the Bridgeton Chapter of the Victorian Society in America.
Photo courtesy of the Cumberland County Historical Society
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Esta residencia de estilo victoriano fue construida en 1900 por R. Winfield y Reuben C. Hunt, hermanos y socios comerciales en Bridgeton, Nueva Jersey. Según anuncios en periódicos, en 1895 vendían exclusivamente "Canton Flannel" y, para 1904, también ofrecían zapatos, ropa interior, diversas telas y "especiales del departamento de muebles para el hogar". La casa se encuentra en los números 64-66 de Bank St., y cada hermano vivía en un lado de la propiedad con sus respectivas familias. El Sr. y la Sra. Val Edwards eran dueños de la casa en la década de 1980; el primero la calificó de "un sueño hecho realidad" y, al menos en una ocasión, acogieron la sede de la sección de Bridgeton de la Sociedad Victoriana en Estados Unidos.
Fotografía cortesía del Cumberland County Historical Society.

Sources/Fuentes:
“Hunt Brothers,” Bridgeton Evening News, Sept. 10, 1895
“Hunt Brothers,” Bridgeton Evening News, Sept. 23, 1904
“Society and Clubs,” Bridgeton Evening News, April 17, 1980
Eileen Bennett, “Their House Befit Hunt Bros. Style: The Hunt House Part I,” Bridgeton Evening News, Oct. 4, 1980
Eileen Bennett, “‘A Childhood Dream Come True’: The Hunt House Part II,” Bridgeton Evening News, Oct. 11, 1980

In late 1895, Mrs. Mary Alice Nixon—wife of William G. Nixon—sought “a woman for cooking and laundry work.” The two live...
01/07/2026

In late 1895, Mrs. Mary Alice Nixon—wife of William G. Nixon—sought “a woman for cooking and laundry work.” The two lived at 81 W. Commerce Street in Bridgeton, NJ. According to the New Jersey State Census in 1895, the Nixon couple resided with their son, William G. Nixon Jr., and Mary’s mother, Jane Lincoln. Also, there were three girls of color between the ages of 5- and 20-years-old: two sisters, Eva and Cora Tudos, and Mary Boyer. The girls were no longer in the house by 1900, at which point Mrs. Nixon—then widowed—lived with her mother, son, and father-in-law. For the last two decades of her life, Nixon employed Elizabeth Cato, a white New Jerseyan, as a maid.
Photograph courtesy of the Cumberland County Historical Society
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A finales de 1895, la Sra. Mary Alice Nixon, esposa de William G. Nixon, buscaba una mujer para cocinar y lavar la ropa. Vivían en el número 81 de W. Commerce Street, Bridgeton, Nueva Jersey. Según el censo estatal de Nueva Jersey de 1895, el matrimonio Nixon residía con su hijo, William G. Nixon Jr., y la madre de Mary, Jane Lincoln. Además, había tres niñas de color de entre 5 y 20 años: dos hermanas, Eva y Cora Tudos, y Mary Boyer. Para 1900, las niñas ya no vivían en la casa, momento en el que la Sra. Nixon, entonces viuda, vivía con su madre, su hijo y su suegro. Durante las dos últimas décadas de su vida, Nixon empleó como empleada doméstica a Elizabeth Cato, una mujer blanca de Nueva Jersey.
Fotografía cortesía del Cumberland County Historical Society.

Sources/Fuentes:
“Mary A. Lincoln,” New Jersey State Census, 1895.
“New Advertisements,” Bridgeton Evening News, Nov. 6, 1895
“Mary A. Nixon,” United States Federal Census, 1900.
“Mary A. Nixon,” United States Federal Census, 1910.
“Mary A. Nixon,” United States Federal Census, 1920

This undated photograph shows the staircase inside the Jeremiah Bucks house, 297 E. Commerce St. It was shot by Gary F. ...
01/07/2026

This undated photograph shows the staircase inside the Jeremiah Bucks house, 297 E. Commerce St. It was shot by Gary F. Cooper (~1934-2007), a photographer for the Bridgeton Evening News. Cooper, a 1952 Bridgeton High School graduate, was first referenced as the newspaper photographer on November 8, 1972. He worked in this position until at least 2000, and he passed away seven years later in 2007.
Photograph Courtesy of the Cumberland County Historical Society
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Esta fotografía sin fecha muestra la escalera interior de la casa de Jeremiah Bucks, ubicada en 297 E. Commerce St. Fue tomada por Gary F. Cooper (~1934-2007), fotógrafo del Bridgeton Evening News. Cooper, graduado de la preparatoria Bridgeton en 1952, fue mencionado por primera vez como fotógrafo del periódico el 8 de noviembre de 1972. Ocupó este puesto al menos hasta el año 2000, y falleció siete años después, en 2007.
Fotografía cortesía del Cumberland County Historical Society

Sources/Fuentes:
“Open House Tour,” Bridgeton Evening News, Oct. 8, 1972
“News Team,” Bridgeton Evening News, Nov. 8, 1972
Charles Bell, “Victoria’s Reign Renewed in Bridgeton’s Graceful Homes,” Bridgeton Evening News, Feb. 27, 1981
Kay Rudderow, “Former inmates wants to get the message out,” Bridgeton Evening News, Feb. 7, 1992
Miles Jackson, “Wheaton Worldwide in operation,” Bridgeton Evening News, Jan. 24, 1996
“On the Water,” Bridgeton Evening News, Sept. 28, 2000
“Obituary: Gary F. Cooper,” South Jersey Times, 2007. https://obits.nj.com/us/obituaries/southjerseytimes/name/gary-cooper-obituary?id=13884705

The Giles House, located at 143 W. Broad St., served many different people. Built in 1791, the dwelling first housed Gen...
01/07/2026

The Giles House, located at 143 W. Broad St., served many different people. Built in 1791, the dwelling first housed General James Giles, a New Yorker born in 1759 who went off to fight in the American Revolution. In the mid-1980s, the house was transformed into the city’s first bed and breakfast named the “Bridgetonian.” At the time, the building had “six rooms [all with private baths] and nine beds along with a spacious kitchen and living room.” Breakfast was served every morning from 8 AM to 10 AM, and the rooms cost anywhere from $45 to $65. The building was sold within a year and, by 1996, restoration projects were underway while the building acted as headquarters for the Tri-County Agency. Into the 2000s, newspapers advertised the Giles House as having “office, many fireplaces, and original charm,” with a selling price of $99,000.
Photograph courtesy of the Cumberland County Historical Society.
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La Casa Giles, ubicada en 143 W. Broad St., atendió a diversas personas. Construida en 1791, la vivienda albergó inicialmente al general James Giles, neoyorquino nacido en 1759 que partió a luchar en la Guerra de Independencia de Estados Unidos. A mediados de la década de 1980, la casa se transformó en el primer bed and breakfast de la ciudad, llamado "Bridgetonian". En aquel entonces, el edificio contaba con "seis habitaciones [todas con baño privado] y nueve camas, además de una amplia cocina y sala de estar". El desayuno se servía todas las mañanas de 8:00 a 10:00, y las habitaciones costaban entre 45 y 65 dólares. El edificio se vendió en menos de un año y, para 1996, se estaban llevando a cabo proyectos de restauración mientras funcionaba como sede de la Agencia Tri-County. En la década de 2000, los periódicos anunciaban la Casa Giles como una casa con "oficina, numerosas chimeneas y un encanto original", con un precio de venta de 99.000 dólares.
Fotografía cortesía del Cumberland County Historical Society.

Sources/Fuentes:
Michael Gaimari, “Hospitality Meets Elegance,” Bridgeton Evening News, Oct. 12, 1985
Michael Gaimari, “Gen. Gile House Turns to Bed and Breakfast,” Bridgeton Evening News, Feb. 28, 1986
Bill Hatton, “Bridgetonian Goes on the Auction Block,” Bridgeton Evening News, Oct. 17, 1986
Bill Chestnut, “View from the Bridge: General Giles,” Bridgeton Evening News, Dec. 20, 1996
“Bridgeton News Real Estate: General Giles House,” Bridgeton Evening News, Apr. 12, 2001
Sharron Morita, “Gen. Giles still key part of Bridgeton history,” Bridgeton Evening News, Aug. 26, 2011

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