Eberhardt Hall, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Eberhardt Hall, originally the Newark Orphan Asylum, is the oldest building at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). It is located at 323 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (formerly High Street),[2] in the University Heights section of Newark, Essex County, New Jersey, United States. Built in 1856-57 its original purpose was to serve as a home for Newark's orphans.[3][4] Eberhardt Hall is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is a beautiful example of 19th-century Gothic Victorian architecture, in conjunction with 15th- and 16th-century castle design.[3][5]

Newark Orphan Asylum
Eberhardt Hall
Location323 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Newark, New Jersey
Coordinates40°44′34″N 74°10′37″W
Built1857
ArchitectJohn Welch; Thomas A. Roberts
Architectural styleVictorian, Elizabethan Gothic
NRHP reference No.73001094
Added to NRHPJune 19, 1973[1]

History

The castle-like building was designed by John Welch, an experienced church architect and one of the founders of American Institute of Architects.[5][6] It is said to be that the building had the most advanced construction of the time.[3] It included some modern day amenities such as hot and cold water, gaslight, and even an early fire extinguishing system. By 1947 the building was no longer used for its original purpose.[5] Thereafter, Newark College of Engineering - subsequently New Jersey Institute of Technology - acquired the building for $58,000. In 1948, the board closed the deal with another $40,000 which included the closing and renovation.[5]

Frederick Eberhardt

The Board of Trustees that served during 1947 named the building in honor of Frederick Eberhardt, who served on the Newark College of Engineering Board of Trustees from 1910 until his death in 1946.[5]

Restoration

The building has served many purposes through the years. In the early 2000s, NJIT embarked on a quest to bring the 21st century edge to the campus. This included the restoration of Eberhardt Hall in 2005 to serve as the NJIT Alumni Center, and to provide space for the NJIT Club for dining and receptions and for some administrative offices. The restoration cost 13 million dollars, of which NJIT settled $7 million and the State of New Jersey contributed the remaining $6 million.[5] The architect firm, Cody Eckert & Associates spearheaded the project.

Exterior

Eberhardt Hall currently stands three stories high with a footprint of 35,000 square feet (3,300 m2).[3][5] Precise original construction has left the exterior of the building almost unaltered. It was recreated to replicate the original building from the 19th century.

Interior

Much of the interior had been modified throughout the early years. The only major piece of structure that is still intact is the grand staircase. The interior has been restored to what it might have looked like in the Victorian era, with electrified gaslight fixtures, Victorian patterned wallpaper, carpeting, and wood trim.[5][6] The building houses a central lobby, board room, dining room and meeting rooms. Outside, there is a beautiful gated green and bluestone forecourt.

Award

The restoration of Eberhardt Hall received the 2006 Donald T. Dust Recognition Award, from the Newark Preservation and Landmarks Committee on February 28, 2006. It is the highest annual honor from the Newark Preservation and Landmarks Committee.[6][7][8]

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See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. "Newark History - MLK Blvd". Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  3. "Recapturin Victorian Elegance" (PDF). NJIT. 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
  4. "Old Newark - Hospitals/Orphan". Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  5. "Eberhardt Hall - Restored" (PDF). NJIT. 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-20.
  6. "NJIT To Receive Honor from Newark Preservation Committee for Eberhardt Hall Restoration". NJIT. 2006-03-02.
  7. "City of Newark, New Jersey - Historical Landmarks". City of Newark, New Jersey. Archived from the original on 2010-06-21.
  8. "The Annual Recognition Awards". The Newark Preservation & Landmarks Committee. Archived from the original on 2008-07-06. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
  • Eberhardt Jr., H. Ezra (2000). History of Gould & Eberhardt. Volume I part B 1900-1928. Gateway Press Inc.
  • "NJIT Eberhardt Hall". turnerconstruction.com. 2006. Retrieved 2009-04-10.
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