These Historic Towns in New Jersey Are Worth Exploring
Like its neighboring states in the mid-Atlantic region, New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, New Jersey has a long history reflected in many of its small towns. Despite being the eleventh most populous state (and highest in population density), New Jersey still has beach towns and rural villages full of historic charm, and several of its suburban communities have retained their distinctive character. So check out these seven great historic towns in the "Garden State" worth exploring.
Cranbury
Cranbury is about halfway between New York City and Philadelphia, so it is a warehousing and logistics hub today. In the late 1700s, however, this prime location made Cranbury a key stopover point for luminaries of the American Revolution, such as George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and the Marquis de Lafayette. Around 200 buildings from the 1700s and 1800s are preserved in the Cranbury Historic District, and some of the town's historic highlights include the Old Cranbury School, Silvers Mansion, and Cranbury Inn. The Cranbury History Center is a great starting point for a walking tour of this lovely old town.
Morristown
Even more so than the nearby town of Cranbury, Morristown has strong ties to the Revolutionary War, earning the nickname "Crossroads of the American Revolution." Visitors can check out the 1774 Ford Mansion, where General George Washington spent two wartime winters, and the field (at Morristown National Historic Park), where his troops struggled through the cold. The Washington's Headquarters Museum nicely explores this historic period. Other Morristown historic highlights include Campfield House, the site of Alexander Hamilton's wedding, and Speedwell Ironworks, the location of the first successful telegraph system in 1838.
South Orange
South Orange can claim one of the oldest existing structures in New Jersey, the 1680 Old Stone House, which is unfortunately in poor condition and desperate need of restoration. Other parts of town, however, especially the Montrose Street Historic Districts, showcase well-kept gems from the 1700s and 1800s, such as the 1894 Village Hall. The downtown area's gaslamp-illuminated streets only add to the historic feel. South Orange is also known for having one of the best live entertainment venues in northern New Jersey, the South Orange Performing Arts Center.
Swedesboro
Swedesboro was (not surprisingly) founded by Swedish settlers and is the best-preserved remnant of the short-lived and mostly-forgotten New Sweden colony of the mid-1600s. The Swedes brought their log-building skills with them, and the circa 1640 Nothnagle House may be America's oldest existing log structure. Though it is nearly 150 years younger than the log house, the 1784 "Old Swedes" Church is another must-see piece of town history. The Swedesboro-Woolrich Historical Museum, found on the town hall's second floor, is a great starting point for learning about and exploring the unique town of Swedesboro.
Burlington
Established by Quaker settlers in 1677, Burlington was the capital of the colony of West Jersey until 1702, when the New Jersey colony was established. The town is home to many colonial-era structures, including the 1685 Hutchinson-Revell House that Benjamin Franklin visited as a young man. Other historic homes include author James Fenimore Cooper's childhood home (built in 1780) and General Ulysses S. Grant's family home at the end of the Civil War. In addition to admiring historic homes, visitors can shop in historic buildings along the lovely High Street business district.
Cape May
Cape May sits at New Jersey's southernmost tip, at the meeting point of Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The town has managed to maintain its historic character from the 1840s more effectively than other Jersey Shore destinations, eschewing oceanfront highrises for tree-lined streets with 19th-century Victorian homes. Cape May also has a classic beach promenade that offers excellent views of the ocean and the town and is only steps away from the quaint shops of the pedestrian-friendly Washington Street Mall. In addition, Cape May Point offers some of the best birdwatching along the East Coast.
Chatham
Chatham, founded in 1710, is today one of the most well-to-do communities in New Jersey. Fortunately, many residents have used that wealth to restore and preserve the town's impressive collection of stately Victorian homes from the 1800s. Going back another century from the Victorian era, the 1780 William Day House stands as another historic highlight, as does the Jacob Morrell House. The Morrell House, now a classy Italian restaurant, was General George Washington's headquarters in 1781. For those who enjoy nature sightseeing as much as historic home sightseeing, the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is less than 10 miles away.
If you think New Jersey is just endless, interchangeable suburbs of New York City and Philadelphia, think again! New Jersey's long history, stretching into the 1600s, and compact size make the Garden State perfect for a road trip tour of multiple historic small towns. Uncover gems in these seven great towns to start but seize the opportunity to explore and add more New Jersey towns to your list.
