Lambert Castle in Paterson, New Jersey

Lambert Castle is the former home of a wealthy manufacturer, Catholina Lambert (1834-1923). The grounds are now part of Garret Mountain Reservation in Paterson, Passaic County, New Jersey. Catholina made his fortune in the production of silk. The geography of mountains and rivers created water falls that powered local mills.

Me outside Lambert's Castle
March 14, 2026

Map showing the location of the castle, tower, and welcome center

In addition to the castle structure, Catholina built a tower atop First Watchung Mountain.

Tower structure. Part of Belle Vista built by Catholina Lambert.
Now part of Garret Mountain Reservation.

Catholina named his home Belle Vista. This name is written on the line for the street name in the 1900 census. Catholina and his first wife, Isabella Eldredge Shattuck (1837-1901), resided there with servants. Other people were also listed as renting Belle Vista. Maybe they were also members of Catholina's staff.

1900 United States Federal Census
Belle Vista, Paterson, Passaic County, New Jersey

After Catholina's death in 1923, his son sold the buildings and land to the City of Paterson. The Passaic County Park Commission now oversees the conglomerate. The Passaic County Historical Society is housed on the grounds.

Renovations are ongoing. The surrounding land needs landscaping and could look gorgeous with flowers and shrubs in full bloom. You can walk around the grounds for free. According to this website, you can access the tower from May through October.

You cannot enter the home on your own. You must purchase tickets for a guided tour. As of this writing, adults are $10 and children are $5.

I took a tour in March. Photographs are prohibited inside. Shoe coverings must be worn. The house is furnished with items that would have been found in such a home in the early 1900s. Artwork adorns the walls of the main room, just as Catholina displayed his collection. The shear size of the home demonstrates Catholina's fortune. Additional historical items from the area are also on display, similar to a museum motif.

Historic Martin Berry House of Pequannock

Martin Berry House in Pequannock, New Jersey.
Picture taken January 11, 2026.

Step back into history at the Martin Berry House in Pompton Plains, Pequannock Township, Morris County, New Jersey. This structure is approximately 300 years old and was modified over time to accommodate the needs of its inhabitants and the local community. In the 1930s, some of the land was taken by the State of New Jersey to move State Route 23, now a busy thoroughfare. In response to this traffic flow, the owners created a restaurant and inn within the house.

Current map of the area of the Martin Berry House.
Pequannock, Morris County, New Jersey.
Google maps.

The Stone House Inn was once the name of the accommodations available
at what we now call the Martin Berry House.

The house is listed on the National and New Jersey Registers of Historic Places. (National 73001129 and State 2220.)

The last private owner, Mrs Eleanor Stockton Bogert (1918-2017), a researcher of local history, transferred the property to Pequannock Township around 2017. Renovations are ongoing. The house is an example of early Dutch architecture in northern New Jersey.

A comprehensive survey of the house, land, and owners was compiled for the transition to Pequannock Township. You can read this report at this link. Originally constructed by the Berry family, the house and adjacent lands passed through generations of Berrys until around 1862, when the Grahams purchased the house and lands.

Parlor set up to reflect Victorian motifs

View of Route 23 from the east side of the house

Me on the east side of the house

The Pequannock Township Historical Society helps preserve this house and offers tours. Check out their FaceBook page for up-to-date information on when the next tours are scheduled.

Pending Orders

Below is the list of records not available online that were ordered and not yet fulfilled.

The last published list was November 4, 2025.

Death certificate of James Cummings, 1912

Requested of the New York State Department of Health. Form DOH-4384 mailed February 9, 2024.

$22 check. (Died in Catskill, Greene County, New York March 11, 1912.) Check cleared July 30, 2024.

Death certificate of Jane Cummings, 1899

Requested of the New York State Department of Health. Form DOH-4384 mailed February 9, 2024.
$22 check. (Died in Catskill, Greene County, New York July 7, 1899.) Check cleared July 30, 2024.

Death certificate of John Grant, 1882
Requested of the New York State Department of Health. Form DOH-4384 mailed February 9, 2024.
$22 check. (Died in Catskill, Greene County, New York December 27, 1882.) Check cleared July 30, 2024.

Death certificate of Edward Sheeby [Edmond Sheehy], 1893

Requested of the New York State Department of Health. Form DOH-4384 mailed March 1, 2022.
$22 check cleared April 2, 2022.
Originally requested in 2015.
Town of Amenia provided an obscure ledger entry in 2023.