Aycrigg Mansion

The Aycrigg Mansion is a historic structure displaying Italian Palazzo architecture in the Renaissance Revival style, located at the intersection of Main Avenue and Temple Place. The building exhibits elaborate decorative details that showcase the craftsmanship of its era.

The mansion was built in 1848 by Dr. John Bancker Aycrigg, a physician who later served as a New Jersey representative in the United States House of Representatives. The property began its institutional transition in 1899 when it became the Passaic Collegiate School, followed by decades of use as a Masonic meeting space.

The mansion served different communities over time, shifting from a private home to an educational institution and then to a gathering place for fraternal organizations. This evolution reflects how the building became woven into the social fabric of Passaic across generations.

The site currently houses Mesivta Tiferes R' Tzvi Aryeh Zemel, a religious high school serving boys in the Passaic community. As an active educational facility, the building may have limited public access, so visitors should inquire about visiting options beforehand.

The property served as a station on the Underground Railroad during the era of slavery, providing shelter and passage for people seeking freedom. This lesser-known aspect of the mansion reveals its role in a vital network of resistance and humanitarian aid.

Location: Passaic

GPS coordinates: 40.85060,-74.12500

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:16