The Van Riper-Hopper House was built in 1786 by Uriah (Yurrie)
Van Riper when he married Maria (Polly) Berdan. Yurrie’s
family owned 145 acres south of the house. Polly’s family
lived on the east side of Berdan Avenue now inundated by the Point
View Reservoir.
Remaining in the Van Riper family, the house was bequeathed to
Yurrie’s great granddaughter, Mary Ann Van Riper, who married
Andrew Hopper in 1872. On July 6, 1964, the house was officially
dedicated as the Wayne Township Museum. The Van Riper –
Hopper House is a fine example of Jersey Dutch architecture. It is
a one-and-one half story building with five first floor rooms and
four upstairs bedrooms.
Typical of the Jersey Dutch style, the house faces south, and
receives full benefit of the sunlight. There are six fireplaces in
the house. Some of the floors have original, wide-pine planks. Open
ceilings are supported by heavy hand-hewn beams. A mortar of clay,
straw and hair holds the walls of stone in place. Plaster on the
inside walls is an inch thick. The house is furnished with many
fine antiques.
The museum complex includes the Van Duyne House and the
Archeological Laboratory. The Van Duyne House, a brownstone Dutch
farmhouse dating to 1706, was moved to the site in 1974 from the
path of State Highway 23. The Archeological Laboratory contains
thousands of artifacts excavated from local sites, many dating back
to Indian tribes who roamed the area thousands of years ago.
Situated adjacent to the Point View Reservoir, the museum with
its spacious grounds, beautiful flower beds and herb gardens offers
a peaceful oasis in which to relax and enjoy a picnic and maybe a
cache.
As indicated in the name, this is a NANO and is smaller than a
Micro. You will need to have your own writing instrument.
Have fun, check out the history this area has to offer, and
Always, Enjoy The Search...