From The Archives

Exquisite brick Federal home in the Historic District of Asbury

Exquisite brick Federal home in the Historic District of Asbury. Early owners included influential statesmen and religious leaders in the community. The original period moldings, mantles and woodwork have been lovingly restored. Close your eyes and step back 200 years in time while enjoying all the amenities of the 21st century.

In the late 1700s, Halls Mills (now called Asbury) was a flourishing village on the Musconetcong Creek, about a mile from the base of the Musconetcong mountains and 2 miles from Belvidere, in a fertile limestone valley. It contained 2 stores, 2 grist mills, a woolen factory, 40 homes, and a Methodist church. In 1800 the cornerstone of the Old Methodist Episcopal Church was laid by Bishop Asbury, and it was in his honor that this village later received its name.

In 1815 a wooden structure in the heart of town, thought to have been built as a tailor shop, was conveyed to Elisha Warne and his wife Eliza who lived in Asbury until 1819, when they sold the house to Reverend Jacob Castner and his wife Sarah. The Reverend and his wife had 10 children, so a brick addition was added to the front of the home, complete with meticulous mill work and joinery and Adams-style mantels surrounding its five fireplaces. In 1848 Augustus G. Richey and his wife Annie purchased the home. Mr. Richey was a prominent lawyer of extensive practice, and a gentleman of means who served one term as a state senator. It is thought that Mr. Richey was responsible for the final brick addition which was to be used for his legal practice.
Prior to 2006 the Warne-Castner home underwent a major restoration that faithfully adhered to its architectural integrity. The 4 bedroom, 2 bath home is still wrapped in its historic skin inside and out, but it’s also equipped with every modern convenience.

This 3,300 square foot home features a gourmet kitchen including a granite counter tops, a professional Viking 6-burner/grill stove, built-in Kitchen Aid refrigerator and Bosch dishwasher. Newly renovated bathrooms include over-sized stall shower with bench and body sprays, granite counter tops, and antique vanity with marble vessel sink. Unlike many antique homes, the layout and flow of this home function as a contemporary center hall colonial. It is very conducive to entertaining with the open kitchen/family room and large room sizes, high ceilings, 5 fireplaces, 3 staircases, and random-width pine floors which all contribute to the grandeur of this home.

Features include an in-ground pool with a cabana, storage sheds, flower beds, space for a vegetable garden, and wonderful mature trees. The property is fully fenced with an electric gate. Extensive restoration work and improvements have been done to the home, including replacing the septic system, upgrading the electrical panel, wiring, and subpanel. All chimneys have been opened and lined. A water softener and filter were added and the plumbing has been updated. A new well pump and water heater were installed. Standing seam copper roofs were installed with copper gutters. The pool was re-lined and steps were installed. The pool pump and filter were replaced. New basement windows were installed, and most recently the washer was replaced and a steam dryer added.

The home is located in picturesque Warren County amidst a rural farming community. While the setting is beautiful and serene, it is also a stone’s throw to all conveniences. Top restaurants, churches, schools, post office, grocery store, and dry cleaners are all less than 5 miles away. Route 78 is 5 miles to the east, New York’s Port Authority bus is 6 miles (9 minutes) away, and the train to New York’s Penn Station and World Financial Center is 15 minutes away.