The Van Liew-Suydam House in Franklin Township is one of Somerset County’s distinguished historical landmarks. It sits at the end of the lone driveway at the intersection of South Middlebush and Blackwells Mills Roads; between the Negri-Nepote Native Grassland Preserve and the Six Mile Run valley. And it is the focus of this month’s Jersey Through History
This three-story home is a monument for passing commuters; with its cream siding, dusty green shudders, and red accents seemingly aglow at all times. The site’s earliest notable owner, Peter Van Liew, was born in Somerset County in the 1700s. During the 18th century, Van Liew and his family began building the home; parts of which still exist today in the oldest sections of the Van Liew-Suydam House.
More from Best of NJ
Whose House is This?
The property then switched hands to Joseph Suydam in 1875. Though born in Michigan, Suydam was the son of New Jersey farmers. He relocated to New Jersey after his father’s death in the early 1870s. In 1875, he constructed what is still the largest and most recent section of the Van Liew-Suydam House. The Victorian farmhouse architecture showcases the lavish layout of the home.
After changing hands a couple more times over the next century, the home eventually came into possession of the state. In 1988, however, the state sold the property to Franklin Township for $100. Today, the property is a prime location for guests at sunset. It also served as a filming location for the Stephen King AppleTV miniseries titled Lucy’s Story.
The Meadows Foundation
The Van Liew-Suydam House is operated by The Meadows Foundation. Their mission is to preserve Dutch and American heritage by restoring historic sites. In addition, they provide education and cultural programs. They are responsible for restoring the house exterior, interior, and the barn that sits along the driveway.
In fact, the Meadows Foundation maintains several properties besides the Van Liew-Suydam house. For instance, they also preserve the Wyckoff-Garretson House along South Middlebush Road. This home was first constructed in 1730, decades before the American Revolution. But the home may date back even further; an archeological dig suggests the foundation could be from 1709.
Farther down South Middlebush Road is the Hageman House and barns. This farm has only belonged to two families since 1756: the Garretsons and the Hagemans. Despite this, it once served as the office for the Franklin Township Tax Collector from 1928 until the late 1960s. The Hageman family sold the farm in 1972, and after years of vacancy it was returned to the township.
The Van Wickle House, yet another of the Meadows Foundation’s properties, is located on Easton Avenue. A wealthy Dutch carpenter named Ethan Van Wickle bought nearly 800 acres of land along the Raritan River in 1700. His son then built a home on the land facing the Raritan River. The home’s style is recognized as “Anchorbent Dutch”, a unique New Jersey style that blends Dutch, Flemish, and English influences.
Under normal conditions, these properties are regularly open for both events and educational purposes. The Wyckoff-Garretson House even serves as the foundation’s only house museum. The properties offer a glimpse into Somerset County living from two centuries ago. Though not of national impact, they represent the laborers, farmers, and entrepreneurs who developed the land we call home today.
Click Here For More Jersey Through History Stories.
All Photos: © Patrick Lombardi / Best of NJ
