Crane-Phillips House Could Become Cranford’s First Historic Landmark

Although Cranford’s Crane-Phillips House is on both the National and State registers of historic landmarks, Cranford never had a procedure for designating local sites or districts as historic until an ordinance was passed in March.

The ordinance outlines the process that is required in order to designate a local historic landmark, which was being followed by the Cranford Historical Preservation Advisory Board when they held Monday’s public meeting.

Present at the meeting were four members of the Cranford Historical Society and Deputy Mayor Ed O’Malley who were all in favor of the designation once explained by the four members of the CHPAB who conducted the meeting.

According to the CHPAB, there are several criteria that the state department uses to designate a historic landmark and although Cranford’s ordinance did not require those to be met, the organization felt it was a good argument to defend that the Crane-Phillips House should be designated.

Some of the reason the CHPAB felt it should be designated include that the Crane Family developed the town and the Phillips were also an important well-known family in town. Also, the home itself is consistent with the architecture of the time period. Although it no longer functions as a home, it is a house museum and has many of the original materials still present, according to CHPAB board member, Maureen McDougall.

“It is an excellent candidate to bet he first Cranford landmark,” McDougall explained.

Victor Bary, also of the CHPAB, provided a bit of history on the Crane-Phillips House.

He explained that in the 1840’s, Josiah Crane built the simple two room cottage for his son, Josiah Jr., and his wife. After about 12 years, Josiah Jr. was able to build a much larger, fancier home for he and his wife so the cottage was sold to the Phillips’ family. Phillips patented the kitchen range hood, according to Bary, and decided to update and expand the house. To do so, he hired one of the first American Architects, Andrew Jackson Downing. Bary explained that this also makes the home significant due to its architecture style.

                                    If the Crane-Phillips House is designated as a local historic landmark, there will be no restrictions on the property and owners can still do what they want to sites. The home would be added to the zoning ordinance and the Township’s Master Plan, but existing zoning restrictions would take precedence over any historic designation, Maureen Strazdon of CHPAB said.

Christine Blazer, a volunteer with the Cranford Historical Society for over 20 years, said that the home continues to draw thousands of visitors every year.

“It is much appreciated by every third grader in Cranford and the organization has really considered it its duty and pleasure to keep it in wonderful condition,” she said.

She added that it is just a designation and a beautiful thing.

O’Malley added that he believes this will help the Township of Cranford to appreciate it even more.

According to McDougall, the value of properties in or near a historical district usually increases 3 to 4 percent. Also, it allows the Township to be available for historical preservation grants.

The next step is for the CHPAB to present their report and meeting recap to the Township Committee who will either say yes or no to the designation.

Bary closed by saying the organization will look into any area or property that the public suggests should be designated a historic landmark. The Cranford Historical Preservation Advisory Board has a website at, preservecranford.com and they organization is also on Facebook.