Bernardsville’s Boylan House on New Jersey’s 10 Most Historic Endangered List

NOTE: The Mr Local History Team was asked by a Bernardsville business owner to weigh in on the controversial Palmer Development project, which jeopardizes a historic home now known as the “Boylan House,” possibly the 2nd oldest standing home in Bernardsville that stands near the Parker Tavern across the street. While not a preservation organization, our efforts are to raise awareness of the project and provide historical perspectives of the Boylan family and the home. The final determination of the Boylan House is up to the Bernardsville Town Council, Mayor, Planning Board, the Developer, and the Palmer family, who owns the buildings.

Update:
July 31, 2025

To respect Bville News and subscribers, here’s the heading and part of the story shared with subscribers on Thursday, July 31, 2025, summarizing the public hearing held on July 24 and stating that the Palmer Project is a train. It’s moving forward with a slight modification that reduces the number of living spaces from 68 to 67. The project was previously denied by the board last August after seven hearings. The applicant, AR at Bernardsville, LLC, which Advance Realty Developers of Bedminster control, then challenged the denial in a lawsuit filed in state Superior Court in Somerville.

When the board deliberated, board member Marc Walden said that while he did not think some of the developer’s decisions would benefit downtown Bernardsville, the concessions “are going to be the best we can expect within the constraints we were put under by the development agreement.”

Walden expressed hope that with any future development agreements, the council “will take a little bit more interest” in public feedback and “pay a bit more attention to some details.” The board approved the site plan in an 8-0 vote. vote, with board member Hal Simoff abstaining.

Variance question: With parts of the proposed building having an exposed lower floor, it would have five stories and does not conform to the town’s four-story limit.

Residents, current and former, continue to post their comments on our personal Mr. Local History local profile, and The Bubble, a Facebook Group dedicated to Bernardsville community updates. We’ll share this there as well. Gerry Boylan of Lebanon, a descendant of the original owner, noted that the house was recently included in Preservation New Jersey’s 2025 list of the 10 Most Endangered Historic Places.

Update:
July 24, 2025

Kelly Ruffel, Executive Director of Preservation New Jersey, weighed in again with a Letter to the Editor at the Bernardsville News July 24, 2025

February 7, 2025

UPDATE:
August 22,2024

The Planning Board determined that the project had five deviations from the zoning standards. It rejected the proposal in a 4-4 vote on Aug. 15, 2024.

Preservation New Jersey announced the 2025 list of the 10 Most Endangered Historic Places, highlighting places across New Jersey that are at risk of being lost due to neglect, development pressures, lack of funding, or natural threats. For Bernardsville’s Boylan House, being one of the ten most endangered, as noted by Preservation New Jersey, recognizes that the Bernardsville historic property may be lost forever.

“July 10, 2024 – Pressure continues to mount as residents voice their opposition in local newspapers.

These places matter,” said President of Preservation New Jersey, Paul Muir. “They tell the stories of who we are and where we’ve been. By bringing attention to these threatened sites, we hope to inspire action, partnerships, and solutions that can save them.”

New Jersey’s 2025 10 Most Endangered Historic Sites include:

Boylan House – Bernardsville (Somerset County)
The Universal Building – Jersey City (Hudson County)
Cornelius Doremus House – Montville (Morris County)
202 & 210 West Main Street – Moorestown (Burlington County)
Van Houten House – City of Paterson (Passaic County)
Perth Amboy Police Headquarters – Perth Amboy (Middlesex County)
Abbot Manor – Plainfield (Union County)
Monmouth Boat Club – Red Bank (Monmouth County)
Washington Wells Farm – Skillman (Somerset County)
Andrew Mershon Tavern – Titusville (Mercer County)

Preservation New Jersey 10 Most Endangered Program

Now in its 30th year, the “10 Most” initiative spotlights cultural landmarks that face threats from neglect, development pressures, insufficient funding, or natural hazards. These sites, nominated by the public and selected by Preservation New Jersey’s board based on historical significance, urgency of threat, and community impact, serve as tangible links to New Jersey’s heritage.

The controversial Palmer Square Project plans to redevelop what might be the busiest corner in Bernardsville, New Jersey.

The Boylan House is listed explicitly in Bernardsville’s Master Plan and the Somerset County Cultural Resource Survey as a historic building. Except for the Old Library Building, the Boylan House is far and away the oldest standing landmark structure in the borough’s downtown. The other historic building, Manker’s Hall, was built in 1895 and was the site of a reputed prohibition-era speakeasy and gambling hall, which was brazenly robbed at gunpoint by mobsters in the 1930s. (LTTE- Bville News Feb. 6, 2024)

The Boylans – One of Bville’s First Families

The Boylans, who built one of the three structures around 1751, were among the founding settlers of what was then known as Vealtown, located at the base of Bernardsville Mountain. For your information, many have stated that the Boylan name is pronounced “Bullion.”

Did you know that before the Old Stone Hotel was built, another tavern existed on the site known as Bullion’s or Boylan’s Tavern? During the American Revolution, John Boylan, also known as “Captain Bullion,” kept or owned it. John Beck, the first owner of the Old Stone Hotel, died in 1850, just one year after the Hotel opened.

The Boylans American Journey to Build Liberty Corner, Pluckemin and Bernardsville

In addition to raising awareness, Preservation New Jersey works with local advocates, property owners, and community leaders to help develop strategies for preservation and reuse.

About Preservation New Jersey

Founded in 1978, Preservation New Jersey is a statewide nonprofit organization that promotes the economic vitality, sustainability, and heritage of New Jersey’s diverse communities through advocacy and education. In addition to other advocacy programs, Preservation New Jersey produces this annual list of New Jersey’s 10 Most Endangered Historic Places, provides educational workshops, publishes an interactive website, serves as a resource for technical assistance and general advice for the public, and addresses legislation and public policies that impact New Jersey’s historic places and communities.

Visit Preservation New Jersey’s website at www.preservationnj.org/blog for more information regarding the organization and the 10 Most Endangered program.

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