THE FRAZEE HOUSE

Historic Restoration Project

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18th Century Architecture at its Finest

The Frazee House is reported to have been constructed circa 1720-1740 by Gershom Frazee, husband of Elizabeth (Betty) Frazee. According to local legend Betty turned away British General Conwallis, who sought to plunder fresh baked bread from her oven. Gershom was a prolific and well-documented 18th-century carpenter and joiner. 


The Frazee House is a central New Jersey architectural gem because of its age and its ordinariness. It is a farmhouse that dates to 1720-1740. “Ordinariness” is also its claim to fame because it is an example of the kind of building that never survives the centuries. It is vernacular architecture — that is, built with skill, with local materials and in a local style — to be a typical residence without pretension in its day.  Today the Frazee House is approaching its fourth century.  


The Frazee House received official recognition on the National Register of Historic Places and the New Jersey Register of Historic Places. In 2000, it was placed on PreservationNJ.org's list of top ten endangered historic places in New Jersey.  

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Our Mission

Rotary

The renovation of the historic Frazee House is sponsored by the Fanwood -Scotch Plains Rotary Club.  They took on the challenge in 2004 and formed  the Frazee House Board to oversee the renovation. Through a partnership with the Township of Scotch Plains, the Board leased a one acre parcel of land which includes the Frazee House. 

Our Vision

The goal of this renovation, is to preserve the historic Frazee House, a significant property located on Raritan Road in Scotch Plains. The house is important for its place in local Revolutionary war history and for its 18th Century timber construction. This will further distinguish New Jersey as a key location in the American Revolutionary War. 

Frazee House History: Two Lords and a Lady

This film by John Fazio recounts the revolutionary war Battle of The Short Hills (not to be confused with Short Hills, NJ). The battle brought British troops to the Frazee House, located on Raritan Road at Terrill Road in Scotch Plains, and tells the story of the legendary confrontation with Betty Frazee over baking bread. 

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