BARROW MANSION
the barrow mansion:
a living legacy
The Barrow Mansion has an eclectic, storied history, one that has evolved and remains current in Jersey City’s cultural landscape. Named for its first owner, Dr. William Barrow, who lived here with his wife, Eliza Brower, the Mansion has undergone several transformations throughout the years.
The Paulmier family, wealthy merchants who later purchased the Mansion, made a number of modern changes to its interior. The Barrow Mansion then became the home of a YMCA from 1890-1897; the organization provided housing and recreation for migrant railroad workers, adding a bowling alley, gymnasium and even a rifle range. St. Matthew’s Church was built on the large garden between the twin houses and they bought the Mansion in 1897 from the YMCA.
The Barrow Mansion is listed in the National and New Jersey Register of Historic Places.
The Barrow Mansion Development Corporation was formed in 1984 to restore the Mansion for the community. The BMDC leases the Mansion from St. Matthew’s Church and raised $1.75 million to install modern plumbing, heating and, later, air conditioning, a new roof and a wheelchair lift which made the building wheelchair accessible. The majority of these funds came from grants from the New Jersey Historic Trust and the City of Jersey City Community Development Block Grant [CDBG] program.
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Thank You
to all our sponsors,
including:
This website
made possible by
The Garden
State Historic Preservation
Trust Fund
which is administered
by the
EVENTS
picture gallery
Every year, 40,000 people come through our door attending more than 1,500 meetings and events. Many 12-Step groups call the Mansion home.
Arts programming is a significant part of the Mansion’s interaction with the community, hosting theater, dance and music performances. The Mansion also hosts workshops, lectures, weddings and other events.
During Hurricane Sandy, the Mansion served as a critical operations center for the neighborhood, collecting and distributing supplies and services to many whose homes had been devastated.
We are creating a Capital Improvement Campaign to restore historic aspects of the Mansion. The Bowling Alley, one of the only examples of 19th century bowling left in the country, will be historically restored for public use, as well as the Billiard Room and the Front Parlor.
It will continue be a place where people and groups come together to grow as individuals while developing more inclusive communities, through lectures, workshops, small groups, arts, music and cultural programming.
We are forming volunteer teams to create and manage projects with the BMDC for beautifying the Mansion through gardening, hosting more open houses for the community, docent training for interactive tours, membership drives and fundraising.
We are committed to projects which serve those diverse communities in Jersey City who may still be underserved. ﾠSee more in our Strategic Plan, created from ideas developed by selected members of the diverse Downtown Jersey City community. Please join us!
