A “quietly posted” 2025 survey reveals thousands of historic treasures and a “Criterion D” recommendation for the Zabriskie-Schedler site. Is the Village’s plan for turf and drainage about to hit a prehistoric wall?
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIDGEWOOD, NJ – A recently released Phase II Archaeological Survey has sent shockwaves through the local historic preservation community. The report, conducted by Richard Grubb & Associates and dated September 26, 2025, reveals that the Zabriskie-Schedler property is much more than just a vacant lot or a future park—it is a massive, intact repository of New Jersey history.
According to the survey, excavations yielded a staggering 8,126 artifacts, including 8,123 historic items and three “pre-Contact” (Indigenous) artifacts.
The “Criterion D” Game Changer
The most significant takeaway from the 200-page report is the recommendation that the Site Core 1 portion of the John A.L. Zabriskie House site is individually eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under Criterion D.
What is Criterion D? In the world of historic preservation, Criterion D is reserved for properties that have “yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.”
The report states:
“The site is recommended individually eligible… due to its integrity and its potential to yield significant data about material and subsistence consumption during the late eighteenth to early twentieth century in this part of Bergen County.”
A History of Being Ignored?
This is not the first time experts have urged Ridgewood to protect the site under Criterion D. During a 2019 meeting of the New Jersey State Review Board for Historic Sites, Greg Lattanzi (NJ State Museum) noted a “high potential to yield Revolutionary War Era archaeological resources.” He also poignantly reminded the board that Bergen County was still home to enslaved peoples during this era, and this site could hold the key to telling their stories.
Despite these warnings six years ago, the recommendation was largely sidelined by the Village. The question now: Will the Council ignore the State for a second time?
The Turf Conflict: Excavation vs. Preservation
The discovery creates a massive legal and ethical hurdle for the Village’s current plans. The town has proposed extensive construction, including:
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Contamination removal (requiring digging feet into the soil).
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Turf field installation and complex drainage systems.
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New sidewalks, paver walkways, and entrance structures.
However, the 2025 survey is clear: because the archaeological deposits retain such high integrity, simple “monitoring” during construction is not enough. Any activity affecting these deposits must be addressed through avoidance or a Phase III archaeological data recovery—an incredibly expensive and time-consuming process that involves meticulously excavating and documenting the site before it is destroyed.
The Stakes for Ridgewood
If the Village moves forward with digging for turf and drainage without a Phase III recovery, they risk destroying irreplaceable data regarding the Revolutionary War and the history of enslaved families in Bergen County.
As the report highlights on page 197, these deposits are “feature-rich” and “intact.” For a town that prides itself on its “Village” character and heritage, the destruction of one of its most artifact-dense sites would be a permanent stain on its historical record.
🔍 Deep Dive: What was found?
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Total Artifacts: 8,126
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Historic Items: 8,123 (Late 18th to early 20th century)
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Pre-Contact Items: 3 (Ancient Indigenous history)
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Key Location: Site Core 1 (Surrounding the historic John A.L. Zabriskie House)
Read the full September 2025 Phase II Survey here: Ridgewood NJ Document Center
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Wasn’t there a neighbor north of that property that found a sword I got 10 years back. We believe the neighbors still lives close to that location, there might be rooms that the sort was donated to Paramus church not sure. We are sure someone in the area knows.
You mean this sword https://theridgewoodblog.net/the-village-continues-to-disregard-its-american-history-and-fiduciary-obligations-toward-schedler-property/
Of course they, especially Keith Kazmark, will not do the right thing. Criterion D: ‘May yield important history.’ Village translation: ‘May slow a ribbon-cutting, must ignore.’
Someone did find a sword and many other artifacts have been found by people searching all over the property
This news is amazing news and the entire site should be protected as a historic and nature park
Ridgewood hates trees and doesn’t care about history.
At this point, the real mystery isn’t what’s underground—it’s why the Village keeps pretending it isn’t.
The artifacts and wetlands showed up. Accountability is still missing.
If 8,126 artifacts don’t matter, what exactly does matter to this administration?
This land remembers enslaved people, war, and survival. The Village remembers… a park brochure and deal made with the sports groups.
This administration doesn’t give two shits about any residence unless they are big donators, a.k.a. the power behind the curtain. Is it an amazing how many smart intelligent people we have in the village. And some of them are looking to donate their time on certain boards and organizations throughout the town. But they’re all handpicked because they don’t want anyone smarter than they are. And that’s a fact. I wouldn’t trust anyone from the top. They’re all full of shit, they believe they’re in their own bullshit stories. Where do they find these Netflix, there must be a special school because if you look back in the last 10 years of the village mayor, council, managers, directors, there’s something really wrong with them. There are a unique group weird. They’re thinking does not work. It’s been proven over and over again. And the brainwashing rest of the employees that’s why morale sucks. They just keep on borrowing money and spending and getting these projects done. The taxpayers don’t understand him that the village is in some deep shit hole. And their taxes are going to be going through the roof nonstop, baby. You can’t stop it not now. The professional liars and the story the BackStabbers, storytellers, shit stars. I loved one management sends out rumors to see where it goes, right, they know what I’m talking about. I’m the only guy that is a set of balls to tell him how it is and they don’t like it. I don’t kiss anyone’s ass never did never will. No one‘s thumb is on top of my head. Have a good night thumbs up baby.
They will just put those artifacts into the museum and move on
The slippery and in my opinion, unethical nature of the actions of the village “leaders” is amazing under this mayor and council. All of them, including village manager Kazmark, a former whistleblower, can dish up all of the soup they want for the elderly or less fortunate, but ain’t nobody fooled that they are good people all doing the alleged dirty work for Vagianos.
Most of us are sick of these sports groups. It’s ridiculous. This is what happens when sports groups back politicians and give money. So now the return is the mayor and council and manager have to kiss their ass. This has been going on for 25 years. It’s not the bullshit but he knows I’ve been involved with this for a long time so please stop and you shitheads that put thumbs down, you must be a real ass kisser. You must suck up to your bosses ass. Is that what you were taught from your parents? What a shame. No balls.
How are the plans for the Bergen County Historical Center coming along?
So odd not to hear any updates from Keith or the Council…it’s almost like they just made up the idea for the SHPO application and haven’t really thought it thru.
Will Keith will have an update in this week’s edition of “Fact Check Friday?”
Would also love to hear about all the progress on the Performing Arts Center redevelopment!