Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

New Jersey Historic Trust Affiliated with the Department of Community Affairs

Lambert Castle

New Jersey Historic Preservation Bond Program
Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund
Historic Site Management
Capital Level II Grant
Capital Level II: Multiphase Grant
Grant Award: $1,100,000 (1990); $50,00 (2018); $750,000 (2019); $750,000 (2022); $75,000 (2023)
Grant Recipient: Passaic County
County: Passaic
Municipality: Paterson

Lambert Castle was constructed in 1892-1893 for Catholina Lambert, a prominent Paterson industrialist. The sandstone and granite building incorporated towers and crenellated parapets into its castle-like design including a three-story galleried atrium. Following Lambert’s death in 1923, the building was sold to the city of Paterson and used as a tuberculosis hospital. In 1928 the Passaic County Park Commission acquired the property and incorporated it into the 575-acre Garrett Mountain Reservation. The Passaic County Historical Society began leasing the building in 1934 for its library and museum and continues to use it for these purposes. Additional historic sites to be included are Paterson Great Falls Historic District (NHL), Paterson Courthouse, Paterson Downtown, Hinchcliffe Stadium, the Paterson Museum, Passaic County Courthouse, the Botto House (NHL), Ringwood Manor State Park, Long Pond Ironworks, Vreeland House, and the Hamilton House.

Lambert Tower was constructed in 1896, four years after the start of construction of Lambert Castle. The grounds were redesigned in the 1930s by the Olmstead Brothers. It was at this date that the refectory/concession building, and adjoining terrace were constructed. In addition to its connection to Lambert Castle, the Tower also functions as a trail head for the Garrett Mountain Reservation. The Lambert Castle National Register nomination was amended in 2021 to include the tower and carriage house (located on-site) as contributing resources.

The 2023 Trust grant will help fund the preparation of an updated Heritage Tourism Master Plan which will also include the development of heritage corridors for Passaic County.   

The 2022 Trust grant will help fund the preservation of Lambert Tower including improvements to the adjoining refectory and landscape features as well as interpretive elements.

The 2019 Trust grant helped fund the Phase I exterior restoration of Lambert Castle. Phases II and III will entail the restoration of the Castle interior and landscape, as well as rehabilitation of the carriage house. The 2018 grant funded the preparation of construction documents for Lambert Castle and the Carriage House. The 1900 grant funded exterior brownstone restoration and interior preservation of the lavish interiors as well as provision of barrier-free access and life-safety improvements. Lambert Castle is currently used as a history museum, county offices, and a library for local history and genealogy. 

For more information, visit: http://www.lambertcastle.org/ 


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