Terhune House (Wyckoff, New Jersey)

Terhune House
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	Wyckoff, New Jersey
Built	1738
Architectural style	No Style Listed
MPS	Stone Houses of Bergen County TR
NRHP reference No.	83001552
Added to NRHP	January 10, 1983

History

The Terhune House, located at 161 Godwin Avenue in Wyckoff, New Jersey, was initially constructed in 1737, with the second major renovation occurring in the year 1776, the same year our founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain. Terhune family lore suggests that the family were French Huguenots who fled France in the 1500’s to pursue their religious beliefs. The family settled in Holland and after two or three generations of intermarrying within the Dutch community they set their sights on Pre-Colonial America. Albert Albertse ter Hune arrived on the shores of New Netherlands (New York City) from Holland in December of 1637. Arriving on the ship “Calmar Sleutel” he settled, for what would become the 1st of 15 generations of Terhunes in North America.

Albert Albertse ter Hune married Geertj and they had seven children. The eldest son Jan Albertse Terhune inherited the family farm near Gravesend in Long Island. It was his second son and third child Albert Albertse Terhune Jr., who purchased some 5,000 acres of land near to what is now Hackensack, New Jersey.

Original Structure

The original structure, a stone home, with an outside cellar, and staircase that led to a loft with sleeping quarters, was constructed using Dutch home building methods prevalent at the time of construction.

Sister Home

This house was originally a twin to the Van Blarcom House located just to the south. It has been altered by the removal of the original west wall with the first addition being added (early, as the workmanship is much the same). A frame addition was added to the west of the home in 1877. The home was purchased by the Van Blarcom family in 1895.

Characteristics

Several characteristics that identify this beautiful and historic include dual fireplaces in the original house, and "Honeymoon Pines", a gift from the parents of an engaged couple who would soon occupy the home. The original home structure was built with 24 inch thick walls mortared with mud, pig bristles, clam shells and stone. The main pilings consist of pine tree trunks. Additions were built in 1877, 1895 and again in 1960. The original home was a gift to an engaged couple who would soon occupy the house.