Fair Lawn has secured a $537,000 grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust to restore the historic Naugle House, a Dutch Colonial-era home built in 1740. This funding initiates the second phase of renovations, focusing on interior restorations, complementing a prior $120,000 award from Bergen County aimed at completing exterior work.
The Naugle House holds significant historical value, having been associated with the Marquis de Lafayette, a key figure in the American Revolutionary War and close associate of General George Washington. Lafayette is believed to have visited the home in 1824.
The borough envisions transforming the restored property into a community hub that educates the public about the American Revolution and the diverse communities that once inhabited the area, including the Lenni Lenape Native Americans and a historic Black community. Plans also include adding amenities such as a café and a bicycle tune-up station, leveraging the property’s location along a county bicycle trail that connects several neighboring towns.
Officials aim to complete the project by 2026, coinciding with the United States’ 250th anniversary. Once restored, the Naugle House is expected to operate six days a week, serving as a venue for local organizations and community gatherings, thereby preserving and showcasing Fair Lawn’s rich historical heritage.