The Van Riper-Hopper House was built in 1786 by Uriah (Yurrie) Van Riper when he married Maria (Polly) Berdan. Yurrie’s family owned 145 acres south of the house. Polly’s family lived on the east side of Berdan Avenue now inundated by the Point View Reservoir.

Remaining in the Van Riper family, the house was bequeathed to Yurrie’s great granddaughter, Mary Ann Van Riper, who married Andrew Hopper in 1872. On July 6, 1964, the house was officially dedicated as the Wayne Township Museum. The Van Riper – Hopper House is a fine example of Jersey Dutch architecture. It is a one-and-one half story building with five first floor rooms and four upstairs bedrooms.

Typical of the Jersey Dutch style, the house faces south, and receives full benefit of the sunlight. There are six fireplaces in the house. Some of the floors have original, wide-pine planks. Open ceilings are supported by heavy hand-hewn beams. A mortar of clay, straw and hair holds the walls of stone in place. Plaster on the inside walls is an inch thick. The house is furnished with many fine antiques.

The museum complex includes the Van Duyne House and the Archeological Laboratory. The Van Duyne House, a brownstone Dutch farmhouse dating to 1706, was moved to the site in 1974 from the path of State Highway 23. The Archeological Laboratory contains thousands of artifacts excavated from local sites, many dating back to Indian tribes who roamed the area thousands of years ago.

Situated adjacent to the Point View Reservoir, the museum with its spacious grounds, beautiful flower beds and herb gardens offers a peaceful oasis in which to relax and enjoy a picnic. For additional information, call (973) 694-7192.