The Wayne Museum

The Wayne Museum is made up of several historic sites encompassing the history of Wayne, New Jersey. These sites include The Van-Riper Hopper House, The Meade-Van Duyne House, and the Schuyler-Colfax House. Located on its original site of the Van Riper-Hopper House, was built by Uriah Van Riper for his bride Maria Berdan in 1786. Architectural research conducted in 2013 produced evidence that the Dutch Colonial house was built in three stages. An abundance of artifacts make it easy to imagine succeeding generations later living in the home. Five lower rooms contain 18th- and early-19th-century furnishings.

Located on its original site, the museum represents the agricultural society that dominated present-day Wayne for over 200 years. Today, the farmstead also features the Meade Van-Duyne House, built in the mid-18th century on land acquired by John Mead, a weaver, in 1707. In 1973, in anticipation of the expansion of Route 23, the NJ Department of Transportation purchased the property. In 1974, the Wayne Historical Commission led a campaign to save the house and it was moved to the Van Riper-Hopper property.

The Schuyler Colfax House, located just a few miles from the Van Riper-Hopper site, was the ancestral home of Hester Schuyler. Originally a one story home built in 1696, Hester and her Husband William Colfax expanded the home by adding a second story Georgian style extension in 1783. In 1973 the Schuyler-Colfax house was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The last Schuyler-Colfax descendant to occupy the house was Dr. Jane Adelia Colfax (1923-2005), one of the first female doctors in Wayne Township. Dr. Colfax would occupy the home until 1992, when she sold the house to Wayne Township. Today, it is preserved, but is currently closed for renovations

Visitors are welcome to tour the Van Riper-Hopper home, partake in events on the property, and are free to enjoy the grounds!