After loss of the historic Zabriskie Slave Tenant House Paramus shows renewed interest in Historic Preservation
January 10,2012
Chris Peters
Ridgewood NJ , Some good news regarding the lost but not forgotten Zabriskie Slave Tenant House in Paramus, which was demolished this past July – “The Paramus mayor also announced two appointments to a historic preservation committee, “in hope with newfound interest we do not lose any more of our treasures in town.” They are Matt Corso and Barry Abel.
LaBarbiera came under criticism from historic preservationists in July after a developer demolished the Zabriskie Tenant House, a landmark home to former slaves and their descendants. At the time, critics questioned why no one had been appointed to the committee. He did not mention the Zabriskie House by name during his speech, but later said he was alluding to it.
After the meeting, the mayor said the borough last month took possession of some of the stones from the old house in hopes of using them to build a memorial.”
It was a travesty that the Zabriski Slave Tenant House was demolished — especially since the wheels were in motion to have it moved to a site at Bergen Community College. It was an important piece of not just NJ history but American history. The developers and architect who declared it was of no historic value are morons.