Hobart Manor is the nearly 150-year-old gem of the William Paterson University campus. Built in 1877 by Scottish immigrant John McCullough, the property was known as Ailsa Farms until the estate was purchased in 1902 by Paterson resident Jennie Tuttle Hobart, the widow of former Vice President Garret A. Hobart deeded the property to her son Garret, Jr. as a Christmas gift that year. In 1915, Garre
t, Jr. hired Paterson architects Fred Wentworth and Frederick Vreeland to expand and remodel the castle. At that time, a 40-room wing was added to the east side of the Manor, the façade was updated, and the curving staircase was added to the foyer. The Hobart family lived in the Manor until 1948, when the property was sold to the state of New Jersey. The estate became the new location of William Paterson University, then known as Paterson State Teachers’ College, in 1951. During the next few decades, the Manor housed administrative offices, the library, classrooms, and even the mailroom. The building was listed on the New Jersey and National Registers for Historic places and restoration of the Manor began in 1985. Today, the Manor houses the offices of the President, Development, and Alumni Relations.
