Eberhardt Hall, New Jersey Institute of Technology
Encyclopedia
Eberhardt Hall, originally known as the Newark Orphan Asylum, is the oldest building at the New Jersey Institute of Technology
(NJIT). It is located at 323 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in Newark, New Jersey
in the University Heights
section. Built in the 1856-57 its original purpose was to serve as the Newark Orphan Asylum. Eberhardt Hall is listed in the National Register of Historic Places
, and is a beautiful example of 19th century Gothic Victorian architecture
in conjunction with 15th and 16th century castle design.
. It is said to be that the building had the most advanced construction of the time. It included some of modern day amenities such as hot and cold water, gaslight and even an early fire extinguishing system. By 1947 the building was no longer used for its original purpose as the Newark Orphan Asylum. Thereafter, the Newark College of Engineering (NJIT) acquired the building for $58,000. In 1948, the board closed the deal with another $40,000 which included the closing and renovation.
, who served the Newark College of Engineering Board of Trustees from 1910 until his death in 1946.
forecourt.
New Jersey Institute of Technology
New Jersey Institute of Technology is a public research university in Newark, New Jersey. It is often also referred to as Newark College of Engineering ....
(NJIT). It is located at 323 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
in the University Heights
University Heights, Newark, New Jersey
thumb|left|200pxUniversity Heights is a neighborhood in Newark, New Jersey, so named because of the location of four academic institutions within its boundaries — Rutgers University , the New Jersey Institute of Technology, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey , and Essex County...
section. Built in the 1856-57 its original purpose was to serve as the Newark Orphan Asylum. Eberhardt Hall is listed in the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
, and is a beautiful example of 19th century Gothic Victorian architecture
Victorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
in conjunction with 15th and 16th century castle design.
History
The castle-like building was designed by John Welch an experienced church architect and one of the founders of American Institute of ArchitectsAmerican Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
. It is said to be that the building had the most advanced construction of the time. It included some of modern day amenities such as hot and cold water, gaslight and even an early fire extinguishing system. By 1947 the building was no longer used for its original purpose as the Newark Orphan Asylum. Thereafter, the Newark College of Engineering (NJIT) acquired the building for $58,000. In 1948, the board closed the deal with another $40,000 which included the closing and renovation.
Frederick Eberhardt
The Board of Trustees that served during 1947 named the building in honor of Frederick EberhardtFrederick Eberhardt
Frederick L Eberhardt was an American engineer, philanthropist, university administrator and president of Gould & Eberhardt, a major Newark-based manufacturer of gear cutters and shapers, and other high quality machine tools, and led the firm’s growth into becoming a major supplier to the US auto...
, who served the Newark College of Engineering Board of Trustees from 1910 until his death in 1946.
Restoration
The building has served many purposes through the years. Recently, in the early 2000, NJIT embarked on a quest to bring the 21st century edge to the campus. This included the restoration of Eberhardt Hall in 2005 to serve as the NJIT Alumni Center, NJIT administrative offices and NJIT Club for dining and space. To restore Eberhardt Hall, the project expanded to $13 million of which NJIT settled $7 million and the State of New Jersey contributed the remaining $6 million. The architect firm, Cody Eckert & Associates, spearheaded the restoration project.Exterior
Eberhardt Hall currently stands three stories high with a footprint of 35000 square feet (3,251.6 m²). Precise original construction has left the exterior of the building almost unaltered. It was recreated to replicate the original building from the 19th century.Interior
Much of the interior had been modified throughout the early years. The only major piece of structure that is still intact is the grand staircase. The interior has been restored to what it might have looked like in the Victorian era, with electrified gaslight fixtures, Victorian patterned wallpaper, carpeting and wood trim. The building houses a central lobby, board room, dining room and meeting rooms. Outside, there is a beautiful gated green and bluestoneBluestone
Bluestone is a cultural or commercial name for a number of dimension or building stone varieties, including:*a feldspathic sandstone in the U.S. and Canada;*limestone in the Shenandoah Valley in the U.S...
forecourt.