Historic Eberhardt Hall

Eberhardt Hall, built in 1857,  was restored and rededicated six years ago to house  the univerity’s alumni center. The restoration took great care to ensure period authenticity. While no information was available about the exact appearance of the building’s interior, the colors are very typical of the era. Further, the wall and ceiling coverings reproduce patterns introduced by Christopher Dresser, arguably the 19th century’s foremost designer of residential and industrial environments. With the goal of furnishing ordinary people with well-made, efficient and engaging goods, Dresser championed design reform in 19th century Britain while embracing modern manufacturing in the development of wallpaper, textiles, ceramics, glass, furniture and metal ware.

 

Some other interesting Eberhardt facts:

 

Eberhardt Hall is a rare example of the Gothic architecture of the mid-19th century, built in the Elizabethan style with turret and battlements reminiscent of 15th and 16th century castles. There is only one other Elizabethan Gothic in New Jersey and fewer than ten on the entire Eastern Seaboard.

The most notable architectural artifact of Eberhardt Hall is the low, black walnut railing of the grand staircase. The railing, which is original, was designed to accommodate some 150 small children, the charges of the Newark Orphan Asylum.  The commodious landing beneath the first floor stairway, now a spacious rear entryway leading to a narrow courtyard, was a large pantry.  The courtyard was the kitchen, which was considered modern for its time.   

When it was first opened, the building that is now Eberhardt Hall was a technology marvel of its time. Opened in 1857 at the Newark Orphans Asylum, the building was equipped with modern conveniences including gaslight, steam heat and hot-and-cold running water, amenities that were rare even in the most affluent homes of the period. Contemporary records show that were also unusual safety features including an early fire-extinguishing system and emergency exits.

Eberhardt Hall architect John Welch (1824-1894), enjoyed a wide reputation as one of this nation’s most important church architects.  In 1850, Welsh designed what is today St. James AME Church, 588 Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard.  The church, considered one of Newark’s last remaining architectural gems, features 16 stained glass windows, one of which was designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Welch was a founding member of the American Institute of Architects.

Eberhardt Hall was named for Fred Eberhardt (in the portrait), a graduate of one of the very first classes of Newark Technical School, the predecessor of NJIT.  A member of the Board of Trustees for 36 years, he was in many ways the embodiment of the NJIT spirit. He became president of his family’s company Gould & Eberhardt, a Newark-based manufacturer of gear cutters and shapers, and led the firm’s growth into a major supplier to the auto industry as well as the military during World War II.  He helped shape the development of Newark Technical School and spearheaded its evolution into a full-fledged, degree granting engineering school—Newark College of Engineering—by 1919. 

His granddaughter, Nancy Eberhardt Bonneville (in photo) and her husband William Bonneville have endowed a fund for the upkeep of the building.