Godfrey House would be used as education center
Susan Van Dongen
NEW HANOVER — An historical township structure is expected to be renovated and used as an educational center for local residents.
The township is seeking a grant from the Historic Trust’s Garden State Historic Preservation Trust Fund Program to help fund the restoration of the General Godfrey house, located on Main Street in the Cookstown section of the township.
Although the township solidified its commitment to preserving the Godfrey house by purchasing the property in 1996 through the Green Acres Program, Township Administrator Jim Nash said the project was launched in 1993.
“I actually got the project off the ground, started the paperwork to apply for the grants,” said Mr. Nash, who displayed the massive volume of historical research and other papers that the state requires to undertake a historic restoration.
Mr. Nash, who is a devotee of local and military history, explained not only the significance of the property, but also the life of its famous resident, Brig. Gen. Edward Settle Godfrey.
The general’s military career spanned more than 50 years, beginning in the Civil War, and lasting until the Spanish-American War, where he served in the Philippines.
However, the West Point graduate is probably best known for being with Gen. George Custer’s Seventh Cavalry in the Indian Wars of the 1870s.
Gen. Godfrey was a second lieutenant at the Battle of Little Big Horn, and was instrumental in saving seven of the 12 companies from slaughter in that famous battle in June 1876.
Gen. Godfrey retired from the Army in 1907 and settled at the farmhouse in Cookstown until he died in 1932 at age 88.
When the restoration of the house is completed, Mr. Nash says it will be used as a “heritage education center,” with community meeting rooms and a museum. He is in the process of collecting artifacts from Gen. Godfrey’s career, as well as preserving tools and household items that will give visitors a glimpse into 19th century life.
“We want to present a sample of history that visitors, especially school children, can see and touch,” said Mr. Nash. “We know that the general had an extensive collection of Native American artifacts from his time in the Indian Wars. We’ve had interest from all over, including historians from South Dakota, from the Little Big Horn Association. They’re very interested in the general’s connection to the battle.”
The museum will be dedicated to Gen. Godfrey, who is also the first name on New Hanover’s War Memorial. The house is listed on both the state and national registers of historic places.
The house and property originally belonged to six generations of the Emley family, who came to this area in 1648 from England.
Nobleman William Emley came to New Jersey as one of three commissioners for the Society of Friends, to select a site for Quaker immigrants to escape religious persecution.
Almost 250 years later, the house was passed along to descendant Ida Emley, who became Gen. Godfrey’s second wife in 1892.
Architecturally, the house is described as a typical late-18th century frame farmhouse.
As the family grew more prosperous, the house was expanded in three phases, and reflects the architectural styles of three periods: Georgian, Federal and Colonial Revival. It still possesses some original interior details such as a massive brick fireplace.
“A lot of it is original, including some of the walls,” said Mr. Nash. “And there are still cables to support the attic floor, which held the heavy cistern and works for the old water system.”
Mr. Nash added that the exterior wood of the house is also original and in good shape, although it is currently covered with more contemporary shingles which will need to be removed.
The property was purchased in 1996 through the Green Acres Program. Through this program, municipalities receive funds to purchase lands for open space and historic preservation, but the owners selling the buildings are entitled to remain in the house for life.
The General Godfrey house is currently occupied by a Ms. Cawly, a daughter of the man who purchased the house from the Godfrey estate. Mr. Nash says the restoration work is going on around the elderly woman, and that construction workers are being as unintrusive as possible.
“It’s a huge house and she basically stays in only one section,” said Mr. Nash.
Work to preserve the site has already begun with the stabilization and restoration of two historic outbuildings, a privy (outhouse) and a building that was constructed in the mid-19th century and used as a shoemaker’s shop.
This first phase of the project was completed last fall, and included the replacement of the bright red standing-seam metal roof on the main house.
“The roofing contractors actually used special shoes and hammers so that they wouldn’t damage the materials,” said Mr. Nash.
He said that contractors are selected for their qualifications and expertise in working with restoration projects.
Westfield Architects and Preservation Consultants of Haddon Heights wrote the nomination for the home’s National Historic Register status, wrote the detailed construction documents for the restoration of the outbuildings, and have put together a preservation plan to guide the remainder of the restoration.
“Once the grant is in place, we’ll go forward with the construction documentation to restore the house itself,” said Sheila Koehler, preservation specialist.
“I think the restoration of the shoemaker’s shop and the privy went really well,” said architect Margaret Westfield. “It’s a wonderful project.” The firm has also been overseeing the bids and selection of the contractors.
A visitor to the site will see a beautifully restored shoemaker’s shop, which will eventually be used for an exhibit on the cobbler’s craft, as well as a gift shop. Also looking brand new these days is the privy.
It is surrounded by a white lattice work fence and was considered rather luxurious in its day because it was a “two-seater.” It also featured a special hatch behind the facility, where the “pots” could be lifted out and disposed of when full.
“Families used to have to move the whole privy when it could no longer be used,” said Mr. Nash. “This way, the building could stay intact, yet it could be cleaned.”
The next phase of the project is scheduled to start soon, and will entail the restoration of the exterior.
“This will include taking down the shingles, painting, putting up a white picket fence, and landscaping,” said Mr. Nash. The twin brick chimneys will also be restored to their original condition and red color. The final phase of the restoration will focus on fixing up the interior and the upgrading of the mechanical systems.
Although the property has a way to go, Mr. Nash says it looks 100 percent better than it did just a few years ago.
“We fixed the buildings around the house and took a lot of the brush out,” said Mr. Nash. “We hope to be finished in about three years.”
Documents from the National Park Service say “… the overall integrity of the house has been well preserved, especially on the interior, where the current appearance is basically as Godfrey left it in 1932. This property is a significant historical resource that should be recognized.”