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The Deacon Andrew Hetfield House

The Hetfield House, also known as The Deacon Andrew Hetfield House, was built in 1760 and is believed to have been finished by 1830. Erected in three phases, the first 1 1/2 story section of the home was built in 1760. Over the course of the next 70 years, the home was modified two more times, first to add another two story expansion to the home, and then to add a second floor over the previously built center section. Bay windows were added in the 1840’s and 1870’s.

Owned by the Hetfield family and their descendants until 1946, the house was used as a tea room in the 1930’s and as an antique store in the 1940’s and 1980’s.

The home was originally located on Route 22 in Mountainside and was moved to its present location in 1985. The home is owned by the Borough of Mountainside and maintained by the Mountainside Restoration Committee Inc. for use as a museum and a meeting place for the people of Mountainside.

The Deacon Andrew Hetfield House is registered with the National Register of Historic Places and the New Jersey Register of Historic Places since 1989.


The Move - June 1985

 

The Deacon Andrew Hetfield House was moved to its current location on June 29, 1985. The move was an exciting event for the Borough that had extensive media coverage. The notoriously busy Route 22 was closed to traffic on the west side of the road on a Saturday morning as the house was raised from its foundation. The home was saved from razing by the joint effot of The Mountainside Restoration Committee, the Borough of Mountainside, and Walter and Richard Kuczynski, the properties purchasers in 1984. The gift of the house “to the people of Mountainside” from the Kuczynski Family is recognized by a plaque inside the front door. Watch the video footage from 1985 to see this incredible event.


In the Words of our Chairman

 

Scott Daniels, Chairman of The Mountainside Restoration Committee, discusses the rich history of the Hetfield family and their historic home in this video created by the County of Union.


Did You Know?

The Deacon Andrew Hetfield House is available for use by community members! Community groups are welcome to reserve the house for meetings or tours and is also available to rent for individuals or organizations as a special events site. For more information please contact us either via email, or call (908) 233-3135 to request a reservation.