Hobart Manor Holds High Tea to Raise Funds

It has been called “the hidden treasure” of William Paterson University (WPU), but the Hobart Manor rests in the center of the Wayne-based campus engulfed by the larger scholastic buildings.

It was the home of Jennie Hobart, the wife of former Vice President Garrett Hobart when she bought the home and property from a Scottish businessman who made his fortune dealing with wool.

Hobart moved into the home with her family, after her husband Vice President died of a heart ailment in 1899. After her death in 1940, the house remained in the family until the 1950s when it was sold. It currently is the home to WPU’s administrative offices. While the 40 room house has been divided into other offices, much of the home remains intact and kept with a flair and design of the day.

On May 1, from 3 to 5 p.m. members of the Hobart Revitalization Committee held an event entitled “High Tea at The Manor” in order to raise funds for the continued upkeep and preservation of Hobart Manor.

“We wanted this to be informal because we want people to walk around and see the cracks in the wallpaper, the furniture in need of repair or the windows with the missing curtains,” said Vivian Semarano, a member of the revitalization committee.

Dr. Kathleen Waldron, WPU president supported the High Tea because Hobart Manor is considered “one of my favorite buildings on campus,” Waldron said.  “I was a trained historian and there is so much history here, that it needs to be preserved."

Edward Smyk, Passaic County historian, praised the committee for the High Tea and keeping the memory of not only the house, but the Hobart legacy.

“Like so many of the historical buildings, we are losing them,” said Smyk. “I am glad that we are able to keep this alive. Garret Hobart is the only Vice President from Paterson and it is important we share his legacy for future residents.”

The significance of the legacy is compounded on two principles, first Jennie Hobart is the daughter of Socrates Tuttle, a man who defended the first murder case in Passaic County and second, Vice President Hobart could have been made President because two years after his death, President William McKinley was assassinated by an anarchist in 1901 and it paved for then-Vice President Theodore Roosevelt to become president.

Garret Hobart IV traveled with his family from Vermont to take part in the tea. He said he remembered spending holidays in the mansion and playing.

“I remember meeting my great-grandma when I was five years old,” he said. “She sickly and infirmed and she could not hear. She had to put a horn up to her ear so she could hear us.” Garret Hobart IV said he too was thankful that his family’s legacy was being kept alive.

Semeraro agreed. She said the committee will continue to spread the word and continue to ask for assistance to help keep the Hobart name and Manor around for centuries to come.

“This manor is an unknown jewel,” said Semeraro. “We pray people find it in their hearts to help out.” 

For more information, contact WPU’s  Office of Institutional Advancement at 973-720-2615.