Piscataway Historian Calls for Preservation of Former Anarchist Home

PISCATAWAY, NJ – One can only wonder what will become of a School Street house in Piscataway that was listed for sale in May and now shows as under contract on real estate websites.

The single-story, white stucco dwelling built in 1915 by artist Samuel Goldman has become sort of a legend in Piscataway, notably for its distinct sculptures affixed to its sides, its unique abstract shaped windows, floors, and ceilings, and because it became the long-term home of an area Anarchist colony.

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According to Zillow, the 1,108 square foot, two-bedroom, one-bath house located on a sharp bend just off Suttons Lane is on a lot that is almost an acre in size, and features an eat-in kitchen and 3-car driveway. It was listed for sale at $345,000.

However, it is in dire need of repair; many of its window panes are broken or missing, and significant upgrades are needed that could be costly.

No word on how much the buyer is actually going to pay or if the house will be restored in Goldman’s vision, or torn down to be replaced by something modern like other houses in the North Stelton neighborhood.

Driving by, one has to wonder what this uniquely designed house was about, and why it is significant to Piscataway’s history.

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Local preservationist, Ed Marsh, wondered, too, and visited the home in 2014 and again this year. He shared a brief depiction and photos with TAPinto of what he found, and included a link to an article that takes a look back in Piscataway’s time.

Read more here and scroll through the photo gallery for detailed exterior and interior examples:

'A unique Piscataway landmark recently offered for sale, is in danger of demolition. I'm referring to the historic Goldman House located on School Street. The house was built in 1915 by early hippie, Bohemian artist, paper hanger, and anarchist, Sam Goldman. The house was part of the historic Ferrer Modern School colony, a community centered around a school which emphasized freedom in learning (somewhat like a Montessori School).

The house, which is listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places, is adorned with unique bas-relief sculpture on its exterior walls, one-of-a-kind window designs, as well as striking wooden interior elements. It is featured in a Weird NJ online magazine article (and also appears in the Weird New Jersey book):

The house is also identified in Meuly’s ‘History of Piscataway’, the Middlesex County Historical Inventory, and Wikipedia. One need only google Sam Goldman House to find a wealth of images and articles.

A photo of the exterior side of the Goldman House adorned with bas-relief sculptures, by historian Walter C. Meuly with interpretative text is taken from the Piscataway 300th Anniversary Calendar 1966: "Clearly, this unique historic site should be preserved or at least rescue its important historic elements, like its exterior side adorned with the bas-relief and unique windows, and the elegant abstract wooden elements inside. Is this asking too much?”'

Ed Marsh, Preservationist

Piscataway, NJ

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