Official Site of The State of New Jersey

Oakes Estate was constructed in 1895 by New York City architect Charles Granville Jones for Thomas Oakes— the owner of a local woolen mill known for producing the dark blue uniforms for the military during the Civil War. The mill continued to be a major economic mainstay of Bloomfield for many years. The house is a great example of turn-of-the twentieth-century residential architecture featuring Colonial Revival and Queen Anne stylistic details. The property includes a carriage house and formal garden. In 1948, the construction of the New Jersey State Parkway called for the demolition of nearly every home designed by Jones in Bloomfield, so Oakes Estate is the only remaining building designed by Jones in Bloomfield.

Thomas Oakes’ youngest son George Oakes first occupied the house, but Thomas’ older son David moved into the house with his wife Jean sometime after their marriage in 1906. In 1928, David expanded the house by adding a Solarium, leaving the remaining house untouched. David and Jean Oakes continued to live in the residence until their deaths in 1947 and 1980, respectively. Prior to her death, Jean Oakes negotiated with the city of Bloomfield to turn the property over to the city and develop it into a cultural center—the building’s current use.  

The 2025 Trust grant will help fund exterior restoration, including repair and restoration of wood elements, door replacement, installation of a roof drainage system, roof replacement and repair, and cornice repairs. This project will also include updates to planning documents, creation of design documents for the proposed work, and address ADA accessibility.

A 2001 historic site management grant helped fund preparation of a maintenance plan for the restored landscape, creation of horticultural workshops to foster community involvement in the gardens, and school-appropriate interpretive materials about the history of the gardens. As the garden's plant materials and period ornamentation were restored, a capital preservation grant helped fund rehabilitation of the Carriage House into a horticultural learning center, expanding the interpretation possibilities for the gardens at the site. The original 1992 Trust grant helped fund the restoration of the exterior of the main house, the rose garden and kitchen garden.

For more information, visit: http://oakeside.org/