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estled along Park Street, just steps from Applegate Farm, stands the Tinkham-Volcker house, a six-bedroom Colonial Revival listed for $3.5 million by Saritte Harel of Keller Williams Realty. Built between 1890 and 1906, this roughly 125-year-old home has undergone some alterations in the 1940s but retains much of its original charm. From the classic stone wall along Park Street to the detached terra cotta garage built in 1914, the property's historical roots are evident.
A recent renovation by Adriana Smyth Interiors has transformed the 9,000-square-foot home into a showcase for clean modern luxury. The chef's kitchen features premium appliances, including a La Cornue gas range and quartz countertops, seamlessly connecting to the formal dining room with picturesque views of the property's grounds.
The Tinkham-Volcker house gets its second half from Paul Volcker, the former chairman of the United States Federal Reserve Board who owned the home in the 1980s. A deeply rooted New Jerseyan, Volcker was born in Cape May and raised in Teaneck before attending Princeton University. He spent a quarter century in domestic and international finance before serving two terms as chairman under Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.
The property now boasts a spacious family room, fully finished basement, and built-out mudroom. The second-floor primary suite includes a sitting area, walk-in closet, and en-suite bathroom, while additional bedrooms on the second and third floors offer en-suite or shared bathrooms.
Built by Julian R. Tinkham, a New York City brokerage partner who moved to Montclair around the turn of the century, 509 Park was originally the home of a small dairy farm under Tinkham's ownership, which exists today as an ice cream stand hemmed in by tarmac and backyards off Grove Street.
Tinkham's gardens were the site of high-profile gatherings for the Montclair League of Women Voters and the Women's Club of Montclair starting in the early 1900s. In June 1925, Tinkham opened the grounds to the public, serving tea daily from 3 to 5 p.m., except on Mondays.
Today, the property features manicured grounds with a heated Gunite pool, reflecting the community's commitment to preserving its beauty and character.
