Peoples Bank, Passaic, NJ

Brig. General Bird W. Spencer of Passaic, New Jersey had a remarkable career in the late Nineteenth Century. He was the leading officer of the New Jersey National Guard, a business associate and friend of Elihu Root, Secretary of War, President of Peoples Bank of Passaic, leader of the Republican Party, four term Mayor of Passaic, an advocate of Firefighters and last, but not least, early leader of the National Rifle Association. He firmly believed that every American boy should learn how to shoot straight.

Sea Girt Pabillion, Sea Girt, NJ

Spencer commissioned Wentworth to design the headquarters for the Peoples Bank of Passaic shown on the left when built around 1900 and as it appears today (vacant) on Main Avenue in Passaic.

Spencer had Wentworth design several buildings in Sea Girt for the National Rifle Association. These buildings were so important to Spencer that he was there at the time of his death and requested to have much of his funeral service there.

Finally, Wentworth designed a home for Spencer on Lafayette Avenue in Passaic.  Unfortunately, the home has been demolished. However, local historian Mark Auerbach has located a photo of President Teddy Roosevelt visiting Spencer at his home in Passaic.