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                                              -- Historic Sites

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Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal Image: Wikimedia Commons/Ingfbruno; cropped by Beyond My Ken (talk) CC by SA 3.0

 
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Allaire Village, Allaire State Park
Farmingdale
Early 19th-century ironmaking town with general store, blacksmith shop, carpenter's shop, owner's house, foreman's house, church, and museum. Hosts more than 40 programs and events annually, including living history events, antique shows, arts and craft shows, and flea markets.

Batsto Village, Wharton State Forest
Hammonton

Built originally in 1766 by Charles Read as Batsto Iron Works along Batsto River in Pinelands, used bog ore from river banks and wood from forests for smelting, acquired 1773 by Philadelphia business man John Cox, produced cannons during Revolutionary War for Continental Army, later household items such as cooking pots and kettles. In 19th century, shifted to glassmaking until abandonment in 1867. Land and buildings purchased out of bankruptcy in 1876 by Joseph Wharton, Philadelphia businessman and namesake for Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania, acquired by state government in 1950s. Current village comprises 33 buildings and structures, including Batsto Mansion, gristmill, sawmill, general store, workers' homes and post office (opened 1852, one of four oldest post offices currently operating in US).
Batsto Mansion and Village video produced by Wanda Kaluza

 
Boxwood Hall
Elizabeth

Built about 1750, Boxwood Hall became the residence of Elias Boudinot, president of the College of New Jersey and later president of the Continental Congress that ratified the Peace Treaty with Great Britain. On way to New York for his first inauguration in April 1789, George Washington stopped at home for lunch, then was escorted by Boudinot and others to Manhattan for inauguration. Boudinot sold home in 1795 to Jonathan Dayton, one of four men from New jersey to sign Declaration of Independence and later Speaker of House of Representatives and US Senator, who hosted Marquis de Lafayette at house shortly before Dayton's death in 1824.
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Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal Image: Wikimedia Commons/Ingfbruno; cropped by Beyond My Ken (talk) CC by SA 3.0
Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal, Liberty State Park
Jersey City

​Located within Liberty State Park on Jersey City waterfront near Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, served from opening of Ellis Island in 1892 as one of major points for immigrants processed at Ellis Island to take ferries from Island to board trains to other destinations in New Jersey and other states.  By 1900, Terminal serviced between 30,000-50,000 people per day on 128 ferry runs and 300 trains.​ Ceased passenger operations in 1967, structure deteriorated until acquired by state government and renovated as part of development of Liberty State Park opened to public in 1975, added to both state and national Register of Historic Places. Terminal currently includes Liberty House restaurant, serves as ticket and dispatch center for ferries to Statue of Liberty. Adjacent to Liberty Science Center technology museum with IMAX theater.
PictureMarker of graves of British and Colonial soldiers in Battle of Princeton. Image: NewJerseyAlmanac.com
Princeton Battlefield State Park
Princeton 













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​Site of Battle of Princeton on January 3, 1777, ten days after Washington's crossing of Delaware to attack Hessians at Trenton and following subsequent successful defense by Washington of counter-attacks in Trenton by Lord Cornwallis. Continental General Hugh Mercer commanded during first phase of battle until arrival from Trenton of Washington and his troops, Mercer wounded in bayonet assault, carried to farmhouse at edge of field built by Thomas Clarke in 1772, died in house nine days after battle.
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Monument to General Hugh Mercer and Clarke House, where he died on January 12, 1777, of wounds suffered at Battle of Princeton. Image: Wikimedia Commons/Ekem
PicturePrint by Currier & Ives depicting "Molly Pitcher" at Battle of Monmouth published in 19th century. Image: Library of Congress

Monmouth Battlefield State Park
Manalapan

Site of June 28, 1778, Battle of Monmouth (or Monmouth Courthouse, then name of current Freehold Borough) between 10,000 British soldiers under Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton and 11,000 Continental troops commanded by George Washington as Washington pursued British on their way across New Jersey to New York. Advance Continental force under Major General Charles Lee retreated upon assault by British rear guard, as Washington came from behind ordered their return to attack British, Lee later court martialed for insubordination in disobeying Washington orders. Battle took place in intense heat, scene of legendary story of "Molly Pitcher" (Mary Ludwig Hays), wife of American soldier who carried water to troops, then took husband's place after he collapsed at cannon from wounds or thirst. Battle ended in draw with British during night resuming march to Sandy Hook and New York, but demonstrated Washington's ability to engage British regulars in large-scale traditional confrontation. Park includes farmhouse home of John and Ann Craig and their three children used as hospital by British, hiking and horseback riding trails, picnic areas and visitors center. Battle re-enacted annually at Park.  

Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park - Blackwells Mills Canal House,
Mule Tenders Barracks, Port Mercer Canal House, Prallsville Mills
Somerset 
Most of the old canal system remains intact today, reflecting when the delivery of freight depended upon a team of mules or steam tugboats. Nearly 36 miles of the main canal and 22 miles of the feeder canal still exist, with many historic structures along the canal.

​Double Trouble Village, Double Trouble State Park
Administered by Island Beach State Park
Seaside Park 
Fourteen original historic structures dating from the late 19th century through the early 20th century include a general store, a schoolhouse and cottages. The sawmill was restored in 1995, and the cranberry sorting and packing house was completed in 1996.

Edison Memorial Tower and Museum
Menlo Park
The art deco memorial tower was constructed in 1937 as a tribute to Thomas Alva Edison. The tower marks the location of Edison’s early experiments critical to the development of the electric light and other major inventions. The site includes a museum that focuses on Edison and his work. The Township of Edison, the nonprofit Edison Memorial Tower Corporation and the DEP jointly administer the tower and the museum in Edison State Park.

Fort Mott, Fort Mott State Park
Pennsville
Fort Mott was part of a coastal defense system designed for the Delaware River in the late 1800's. The fortifications seen today at Fort Mott were erected in 1896 in anticipation of the Spanish-American War.

Indian King Tavern
Haddonfield
On March 10, 1777, the New Jersey Assembly met at the Indian King Tavern and approved the adoption of the Great Seal of New Jersey. Six months later, the Assembly met again at the tavern and enacted a law substituting the word "state" for "colony" in all commissions, writs and indictments.

Long Pond Ironworks Historic District Long Pond Ironworks State Park
Ringwood
Long Pond Ironworks was founded in 1766 and operated continually until 1882, making iron for a wide range of purposes. Today, the ruins of three furnaces and other unique structures remain within the State Park near the New York border

Washington Crossing, Washington Crossing State Park
Titusville
​After crossing the Delaware River on December 25, 1776, General George Washington and the Continental Army landed at Johnson's Ferry, at the site now within Washington Crossing State Park.

Waterloo Village, Allamuchy Mountain State Park
Stanhope
(administered by Kittatinny Valley State Park)
19th-century village contains a working gristmill, a general store, blacksmith shop, a canal museum and several historic houses. The village is located on the banks of the Morris Canal.  An early 19th-century log cabin farmsite and 17th-century Lenape Indian Village exhibit are also located at the site.  

Whitesbog Village
Administered by Brendan T. Byrne State Forest (formerly Lebanon)
New Lisbon
Whitesbog was an active 19th- and 20th-century cranberry and blueberry producing community, founded in the 1870's by Joseph J. White. The commercial high-bush blueberry was developed here by Elizabeth White. The site is undergoing restoration and is leased to the Whitesbog Preservation Trust.

Grover Cleveland Birthplace 
Caldwell 
1837 birthplace of Grover Cleveland while his father, the Reverend Richard Falley Cleveland, was the minister to the First Presbyterian Church of Caldwell. Most of the first floor rooms portray the house as it was in 1837.

Hancock House
Hancock's Bridge 
Judge William Hancock built this brick house in 1734. A notable feature is the decorative patterned brickwork on the end wall of the house.

The Hermitage
Ho-Ho-Kus
The original section of the Hermitage House was built in the mid-18th century and visited by George Washington and his staff during the Revolutionary War. In 1845, the house was transformed by architect William Ranlett into one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in North America. The Hermitage is leased by the Friends of the Hermitage, Inc.

High Point Monument, High Point State Park
Sussex 
Built in 1930 with donations from the Kuser family of Trenton, the monument was built on the highest point in New Jersey and was erected in honor of the American servicemen who served in World War I.