Maywood Station Historical Committee A Division of the New York, Susquehanna & Western Technical & Historical Society, Inc. 108 Stelling Ave. Maywood, NJ 07607 Contact: Ed Kaminski Telephone: 201-845-3323 Fax: 201-556-9666 E-Mail: ed.kaminski@verizon.net Website: www.geocities.com/maywoodstation/maywoodstation.html PRESS RELEASE April 14, 2004 - Maywood, New Jersey (5:00pm EDT) Maywood Station Selected to Receive a 2004 Historic Preservation Commendation Award The Bergen County Historic Preservation Advisory Board has just announced that New Jersey and National Register listed Maywood Station has been selected to receive a 2004 Historic Preservation Commendation Award for serving as an excellent example of a Historic Preservation effort by the Maywood Station Historical Committee. County Executive Dennis McNerney and the Board of Chosen Freeholders will present this commendation. The Awards Program will be held Thursday evening, May 6, 2004 at 7:30pm at Hackensack's historic Church on the Green. Refreshments will follow the program in the building next to the church. There will also be an exhibit of some of Bergen County's historic sites, including Maywood Station. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE !! Background: Maywood Station Historical Committee The Maywood Station Historical Committee (MSHC) was formed in late May 2002 by volunteers who wished to save the 1872-built New York, Susquehanna & Western (NYS&W) Maywood, New Jersey railroad station after it became public that the Borough of Maywood had signed a demolition order against the historic building. The station had languished from years of disrepair since it was last used by the Veterans of Foreign Wars as a meeting hall in the early 1990's. Over the next decade, the NYS&W made numerous attempts to lease the station but they could not come to an agreement with the town over any proposed usage, which led to the eventual deterioration. The last regular NYS&W passenger trains ceased in 1966 and the tracks in front of the station have been freight-only ever since. The first steps that the MSHC did to save the station were to contact the New Jersey Historical Preservation Office (NJHPO) and the NYS&W to see what could be arranged. Through the NJHPO, the MSHC received a Certification of Eligibility on the station for placement on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places. This certification was obtained on June 14, 2002, only 10 days after it was applied for by the MSHC. The station was identified as one of the oldest existing in the State of New Jersey still retaining most of its original character. On June 5, 2002, the MSHC also entered into an agreement with the NYS&W for restoration of the station and use as a local railroad museum and meeting place for the group. As news spread of the restoration in the press, several railroad historical societies contacted the MSHC offering assistance. The MSHC weighed the options and on June 20, 2002, they became a division of the 501(C)3 non-profit New York, Susquehanna & Western Technical & Historical Society, Inc. (NYS&WT&HS). In retrospect, the NYS&WT&HS was the natural choice to partner with since their seasonal excursion trains operate past the station and it provided an additional loading point for them once the MSHC restoration commenced. The MSHC also acquired immediate non-profit status by aligning with the 600-member NYS&WT&HS and could therefore begin its fundraising efforts to start work on the station. Since that time, a number of MSHC volunteers have also become members of the NYS&WT&HS further complimenting the work of both groups. See the NYS&WT&HS website at www.nyswths.org for additional information. The MSHC also received support from the NYS&WT&HS when they decided that they would offer their Fall Foliage Train Rides out of Maywood Station as well as the usual Hawthorne location. These trips were conducted on October 12, 13, 26 and 27, 2002 and proved to be quite successful. The MSHC has also participated in the NYS&WT&HS's annual Santa Claus and Easter Bunny Train Rides. Almost immediately, the MSHC began fundraising initiatives by conducting an engraved brick drive and sought out other donation possibilities from local businesses and private individuals. By early July 2002, a long-term lease on the station was struck with the NYS&W. Simultaneously; the MSHC began work sessions on Saturday mornings, which continued through April 2003. Beginning in May 2003, the work session schedule was changed and is now held each Wednesday evening until the restoration is completed. On August 4, 2002, the MSHC submitted an application for permanent placement of the station on the New Jersey and National Historical Registers. Subsequently, on February 18, 2004 the station was formally placed on the New Jersey Register of Historical Places. On May 29, 2003, the station was formally placed on the National Register of Historical Places. The MSHC's main objectives remain to restore, revitalize and maintain the historic Victorian Style station. Stucco had been applied to the station in 1920 and the first order of business was to remove it and restore it to its original board and batten appearance. While removing the stucco, numerous paint samples were discovered including what was thought to be the original New Jersey Midland (NYS&W predecessor) colors. The MSHC had the various paint samples professionally analyzed in a lab and the tests found, indeed, that the NJM paint was still present. The colors were certified and the MSHC has obtained correct color matches and the structure will be the first restored station on the NYS&W to have the authentic NJM colors on it. The exterior colors are a very light beige with a reddish-brown trim. In addition, the earliest interior colors have also been matched, which feature a blue-green ceiling with light green trim while the walls have been restored to their natural wood appearance. Other goals of the MSHC will be to completely restore the interior including fabricating a bay window (the original was removed in the 1950's); replicating the stationmaster's quarters, waiting room and ticket counter; and restoring the old freight platform and freight house door. A new slate floor will also be added as the original was removed long ago. By late July 2002, the MSHC could boast that a new roof was applied to the station and the grounds were completely graded. By early October 2002, the exterior had been completely sanded and primed and painting had begun. By November 2003, approximately 90% of the exterior restoration has been completed including the construction of the new bay window and work was progressing on the interior with painting and wood re-working. As donations and volunteer time permits, the MSHC is optimistic that they may have the exterior completely restored during the spring of 2004 and the interior restored sometime later in 2004. The group feels that they have a chance to restore a station like none other since an exceptional amount of the original structure can be reworked and restored. The MSHC has been receiving continual local and regional support for their restoration efforts and currently roster nearly 100 volunteers from all walks of life working for a common goal. The results, so far, have been impressive and prove what can happen when a group unites for a common cause to save a piece of its transportation history and at the same time renews pride in its community. For more information on the MSHC's restoration project, see their website at http://www.geocities.com/maywoodstation/maywoodstation.html A Restoration in Progress.... May 2002 view of the station in a state of disrepair before MSHC volunteer restoration efforts began. The west end wall of the station is gone and the roof overhang was in terrible shape. By September 2003, through the tireless efforts of the MSHC, the exterior of the station changed dramatically as a new roof, rear wall, battens, gables, bay windows and paint had been applied. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE !!
