Home, Garden Tour Supports Zabriskie House

Residents went "Beyond the Garden Gate" Tuesday, touring beautiful homes and gardens around the township in support of the historic Zabriskie House.

Attendees opened their doors to visitors who paid $35 to $40 to take a closer look at some of the fine architecture and gardens found throughout the township, with all proceeds going toward the general upkeep of the home, an early American museum located just off of Zabriskie Pond that dates back to the 18th century.

Jean Hildebrandt, a Zabriskie board trustee, said she was happy with the turnout. 

"We had many people coming in and out of the houses today," she said. "I heard many positive remarks."  

Anne Dambach, who has studied the history of the Zabriskie house thoroughly, said she had received many positive remarks.  

"One woman said, 'Please do this again,' " Dambach said.

The Zabriskie House, properly called the  Van Voorhees-Quackenbush-Zabriskie House, allows visitors to get a glimpse of life even before the American Revolution.

According to a sign out front, the house was "built in 1824 by Albert Van Voorhees, this Federal home replaced his earlier house. The land, owned by father William since 1720, was called 'Wikehoff.' " 

It went on to say that Albert, "a veteran of the Revolution and a Justice, deeded the new home to grandson Albert J. Van Voorheis. In 1867, it was purchased by Uriah Quackenbush who willed it to his granddaughter, Grace Quackenbush Zabriskie." 

Grace Quackenbush Zabriskie was called an "outstanding benefactress" who was the wife of County Judge John B. Zabriskie, who passed away in 1951. She remained, according to information distributed by the museum, "active in the work of the Wyckoff Reformed Church, especially the Women's Bible Class, and a contributor to the restoration of the church edifice...and [was] long associated with local historic interests."  

Upon her passing in 1973, Grace Quackenbush Zabriskie willed the home to the township. The John B. and Grace Q. Zabriskie Memorial Trust has long since existed to fund the museum's operations, with the township appointing trustees to manage the fund.

Zabriskie has served as a village store, tavern, candy store, hotel and ballroom through its long history. Like many of the houses in the tour, the Zabriskie house features gardens, including a rose garden and grape arbor, as well as a working waterfall.

Marijke Creswick, who serves as a volunteer for the museum, said she spent several hours working the garden to make it ready for the "Beyond the Garden Gate" event. 

"I enjoy volunteering here," Creswick said. "This place is old, sweet and cozy."

For more information, visit the Wyckoff Historical Society website.