Photo of the Day: DeMott–Westervelt House, Englewood NJ

Evidence of history doesn’t have to be in the form of grand houses owned by important people. Particularly in the area where I’m from—northeast New Jersey, just outside New York City—it can be found in the homes of ordinary people.

For all my life, I have passed by the DeMott–Westervelt House in my hometown of Englewood. But only last week, while I was on foot, was I intrigued enough by this sandstone Dutch Colonial house on a small rise over busy Grand Avenue to look a little further—and to take this photo.

This homestead, a designated Bergen County landmark, is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The main house was built around 1808 by architect Henry DeMott, with a wing added around 1810.

The Westervelt family owned the house until 1936. More recently, the landmark had served as a day care center before forming part of an office complex.