The Wallisch Homestead is making a comeback

West Milford’s Friends of Wallisch Homestead will be working together with the West Milford School District for the reconstruction of the Wallisch Homestead. This concept evolved because the estate was intended, after the Wallisch brothers passed, to be left to the Board of Education and the township, with the goal of it being used for cultural and educational purposes. After some years, the estate is finally going to be more than a few pretty trails and some old buildings. The intent is for the high school students to use the estate as a hands on learning experience.  On December 17, 2015, high school students took their first education trip to Wallisch Homestead.  The goal of this venture is to give CAD and Architecture students a feeling of what it’s like to work in this field while helping the Friends of Wallisch Homestead on their journey of revitalizing the property.  The Friends of Wallisch Homestead hope to complete the renovation of the grounds in 7-10 years.

Mr. Vanwingerden and Mr. Beattie, of the Industrial Education and Technology Department, accompanied the Architecture and CAD students on their first trip to the grounds.  The goal of this trip was to take measurements of the buildings and grounds and develop plans that the Friends of Wallisch Homestead can use during the renovations.   On the cold and wet December day, the students managed to complete the measurements for the garage and creamery and the outside measurements for the  main estate house measurements.  They will need to gather further measurements in the spring to complete the project.  

In addition to the hands on experience that the students benefited from during their trip to the homestead and the follow up drawing of plans in their classroom, through the partnership with The Friends of Wallisch Homestead the Architecture and CAD students will be given the opportunity to have a classroom visit by the Engineering firm also working with the Friends of Wallisch Homestead.   Representatives of the company  will soon be coming to the high school to showcase new laser technology to the students, which will further enhance their education in this field.

It is truly great that projects such as this and the soon to be new library, are taking place in West Milford. Because of these projects,  West Milford will now have an engaging area for literature and a historical center for culture, which will bring new subjects for education to the people of this town. The renovated Wallisch Homestead will be a great addition to the community that surrounds West Milford.