Ridgewood to give new life to sculpture by Paterson artist Gaetano Federici
DECEMBER 22, 2014 LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2014, 9:08 AM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Seemingly recent attempts to preserve a priceless village carving of the state seal, by famed Paterson artist Gaetano Federici, actually began decades ago.
But let’s start more recently, when the beautiful sculpture, featuring the two serene ladies of “Liberty” and “Prosperity,” was thought to be forgotten.
More than five years ago, while doing work for the tree department in a wooded area on Prospect Street, formerly used as a police shooting range, village employee Pete Ward saw something made of concrete peaking from beneath the brush.
Ward, who grew up in Ridgewood, recognized the sculpture.
He remembered it had been attached to an entrance of the old municipal building on Hudson Street.
The building, which most recently served as the old firehouse, was demolished in 1993 to make way for parking, despite the contestations of resident Art Wrubel and the Historic Preservation Commission – “a real shame,” noted Ward, who collects historic architectural pieces for restoration.
“I knew it was from that building because of books that I have and photos,” Ward said.
