About the Ridgewood Historical Society & Museum
Our Mission
The mission of the Ridgewood Historical Society, which operates the historic Schoolhouse Museum building, formerly one of the first public schools in Ridgewood, is to preserve the building, as well as maintain, interpret, and exhibit the collection of artifacts representing the history, culture, and lives of ordinary people from the Ridgewood area from the period of Native America.
The Ridgewood Historical Society is the parent organization of the Schoolhouse Museum which annually presents a themed exhibit featuring artifacts from the collection, and presents educational programs featuring local people with knowledge and/or skills that pertain to the collection.
Our Story
History of the Schoolhouse
Tradition has it that the original 18th-century land grant given to the Dutch Reformed congregation from Pierre Fauconier and his daughter Magdalena Valleau stated that a school should always be provided on the property. The consistory assumed responsibility for education, and a number of different school buildings occupied the site since the first church was erected in 1735.
This one-room schoolhouse, built in 1872, operated as a public school until 1905. It was then part of the district school system which formed around 1864 and operated as School District No. 45. When the towns incorporated in 1894, the district system was dissolved and the schoolhouse became part of the Ridgewood school system.
“The schoolhouse was built at a cost of $4,600.”
The original building was divided into separate entrances with cloakrooms for boys and girls in grades 1 through 8. The potbellied stove is original, as are the windows and two central lamps. The blackboards around the room have been removed except for one behind the teacher's platform. A large bell once summoned children from miles away each morning.
The original belfry is gone, and the bell was used in other schools and a church after the schoolhouse closed in 1905, but was returned to the Historical Society in 1977. Outdoor privies were later attached to the main building to create additional display space.
The schoolhouse is on the National Register of Historic Places, as is the bordering Old Paramus Church and Valleau Cemetery. It remains the property of the Dutch Reformed Church, but is maintained by the Ridgewood Historical Society, where it houses the collection and operates the Schoolhouse Museum.
Leadership
Board of Trustees
Officers
President
Jim Diorio & Genny Allard
Vice President
Jeanne Johnson
Treasurer
Hal Maxwell
Secretary
Jeanne Potter
Trustees
Sergio Alegre
Susan Amsterdam
Anthony Cavo
Dan Fishbein
Janis Fuhrman
Jordan Kender
Candace Latham
Stephen Raclis
Ann Spalckhaver
Jeff Summerville
Joe Suplicki
Michael Yannone
Liaison
Old Paramus Reformed Church Liaison
Arlene Berlamino
The Ridgewood Historical Society is governed by a volunteer board of trustees dedicated to preserving local history and maintaining the Schoolhouse Museum for future generations.
Photographs from the Collection
Historical Archive
The Ridgewood Historical Society maintains an extensive archive of photographs, documents, and artifacts that chronicle the life of the Ridgewood community from its earliest days. These images offer a window into the daily lives, landmarks, and events that shaped our village.
From the original schoolhouse and local businesses to community gatherings and notable figures, the archive preserves stories that might otherwise be lost to time. The Society continues to actively collect and digitize materials to make this history accessible to all.
Schoolhouse #45
Inside Schoolhouse #45
First National Bank, Ridgewood 1912
Ridgewood Motor Co. on North Maple Ave.
Old Paramus Reformed Church
Ridgewood High School Girl's Basketball Team, 1912
Bolger Heritage Center: For an even deeper dive into Bergen County's history, visit the Bolger Heritage Center — a resource for genealogical research, local records, and historical documents from across the region.
Support Our Work
Your donation supports the preservation of our collection, the maintenance of the historic Schoolhouse Museum, and the educational programs that bring Ridgewood's story to life for generations to come.