Nature Done Wright

   The Fell House, that beautiful historic home on the Franklin Turnpike just south of the Celery Farm parking lot, has just been named one of the 10 Most Threatened Places in the entire state by Preservation New Jersey.

   My wife Patty has helped to lead the fight to save this great place, slated as recently as last year to be torn down and replaced by 11 townhomes.

   Click "Continue reading…" immediately below to read the news release from the Concerned Citizens of Allendale, who have worked tirelessly to get this designation.

For Immediate Release:

    The Concerned Citizens of Allendale, a non-profit 501c3 
group, is pleased to announce that Preservation New Jersey, one of the state’s
most significant historical groups, has named the Fell House in
Allendale as one of the 10 most endangered places in the state.

   The designation underscores what we have said since the day our
group was formed nearly three years ago: that the Fell House, home of
Founding Father John Fell, is a historic landmark that must be saved
for generations to come.

   Inclusion in Preservation New Jersey’s 10 Most Endangered List
is an official recognition of just how significant the Fell House and
its property are.

    When you see what company we are in,
you'll begin to see why we are so excited – two examples come to mind
immediately. The Pease Memorial Library in Ridgewood received this
designation in 2002, and Historic New Bridge Landing was selected a
decade ago.

   We hope that this just another step in helping the public realize that
one of the true heroes of the Revolutionary War era lived in our very
own backyard – a patriot so hated by the British that he was arrested
in his home on the Franklin Turnpike and jailed as a prisoner of war
for nearly a year in New York City.  Fell kept a secret journal during
his incarceration, and after his release, went on to become a member of
the Continental Congress and a ratifier of the U.S. Constitution.

   We want this property to be a wonderful resource for the citizens
of Allendale and history lovers – and we want to obtain this historic
property at no additional expense to borough taxpayers, We have been in
negotiations with the owner of the property and are in a position to
enter into a contract to buy the property, pending a withdrawal of
developers who have unsuccessfully tried to advance a scheme to build
11 townhomes on the 2.8-acre property.

   The Concerned Citizens of Allendale would like to thank Borough
Mayor Vince Barra and our other elected officials who supported our
efforts from the beginning. Senator Gerald Cardinale, Assemblywoman
Charlotte Vandervalk, the Bergen County Freeholders, U.S. Senator Robert
Menendez and Congressman Scott Garrett have helped us by sending
letters of support and encouragement.

   We also want to thank all the people who packed the Allendale
planning board meetings time after time to show their support for the
Fell House.

   Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund and Green
Acres have assisted us in our efforts to acquire the property by
awarding us grants – we can’t thank them enough.

   Townhouse developments are everywhere. Truly historic homes of
Founding Fathers are increasingly hard to come by. Once they are lost,
they can never be replaced.

  We can’t thank Preservation New Jersey enough for this wonderful show of support.