Plainfield, New Jersey

Step back in time at Liberty Hall, home to New Jersey's first governor and a gathering place for influential figures throughout history. William Livingston, the first governor of New Jersey, built this fourteen-room…

Step into Willow Grove Cemetery, where New Brunswick's past whispers from beneath the headstones. This seemingly quiet place holds stories of lives lived, lost, and legacies left behind. Originally a burial ground for…

Stand here a moment and imagine the clatter of steam engines and the bustle of passengers eager to reach their destinations. This disused station is a relic of the Central Railroad of New Jersey. Built in 1893, this…

Look up! That Art Deco tower piercing the Elizabeth skyline? It's Hersch Tower, a symbol of ambition built during the Great Depression. In 1931, local businessman Louis Hersh commissioned Nathan Myers and Joseph Shanley…

Get ready to be transported back to the roaring twenties! This spot, the Ritz Theatre, was once *the* place to be in Elizabeth. Built in 1926 on the site of an older opera house, the Ritz was designed by architect Fred…

Elizabeth, New Jersey, owes its existence to geography and a bit of historical luck. Situated on the Arthur Kill, a narrow tidal strait separating New Jersey from Staten Island, it offered a sheltered harbor close to…

Pull over a second, you're passing a real piece of New Jersey history! This is the Woodruff House, built way back in 1735. It’s a tangible link to the lives of early settlers in this area. The Woodruff family were among…

Imagine a time when this land was brand new, claimed but not yet tamed. That's the era of the Stone House by the Stone House Brook, one of the oldest buildings still standing in New Jersey. Built before 1680, this house…

Imagine the harsh conditions faced by Continental Army soldiers as you stand on the site where the New Jersey Brigade encamped during the Revolutionary War. During the winter of 1779-1780, approximately 1,300 men of the…

Pull over here for a sec; this old house has stories etched into its very foundation. It's the Jacob Vosseller House, built around 1753. For a long time, it wasn't just a house. It was Castner's Tavern, and later…

The Continental Army's winter encampment at Morristown in 1779-1780 was harder than Valley Forge, with record snowfall and near-mutiny.

Imagine enduring a winter so brutal it's still talked about today. That's what Continental Army soldiers faced right here at Jockey Hollow. During the Revolutionary War, Jockey Hollow served as a winter encampment for…

Get ready for a chilling tale – this is the Kreischer House, a place synonymous with tragedy and whispers of the paranormal. Built in the 1880s, it was intended as a symbol of success for the Kreischer family, German…

Pull over for a minute and imagine the pen that shaped American politics and our holidays! This is where Thomas Nast, the legendary political cartoonist, lived for many years. Nast moved into this house on MacCulloch…

You're passing the only proprietary governor's mansion from the original Thirteen Colonies still standing! It's called Proprietary House. Construction started in 1762 and wrapped up in 1764. Initially, it wasn't even…

Imagine the biting wind and the gnawing hunger – this very ground was once a crucial winter encampment for George Washington's Continental Army. Twice, in the winters of 1777 and 1779-1780, Washington chose Morristown…

Imagine being at the heart of a revolution – that's essentially what Morristown was during the fight for American independence. During the Revolutionary War, General George Washington and the Continental Army 1777 and…

Step back in time as you approach the Whippany Burying Yard, the oldest cemetery in northwest New Jersey. This isn't just a place of rest; it's a tangible link to the earliest settlers of this region. Dating back to…

This courthouse, built in 1827, has witnessed countless legal battles and historical moments in Morris County. It stands proudly on Washington Street in Morristown, a silent observer to the ebb and flow of justice.…

Imagine George Washington pacing these very floors, wrestling with the fate of a nation! This is the Wallace House, and it was Washington's headquarters during the second Middlebrook encampment. From 1778 to 1779,…

Imagine a last-ditch effort to avoid war, right here on Staten Island. In 1776, as the Revolutionary War raged, representatives of the British Crown and the American colonies met at the Conference House, then owned by…

Believe it or not, this quiet stretch of road played a part in the Revolutionary War! The Tempe Wick Road–Washington Corners Historic District reminds us of rural life centuries ago. The road is named for Temperance…

Right up ahead, you're near a place that was once a doorway to another world: the Stanley Theater. For decades, this building offered Newark residents an escape into the magic of the movies. Opened on May 26, 1927, the…

This VA hospital complex has been serving veterans since 1952. It was built to provide medical care and support to veterans, particularly those returning from World War II and the Korean War. Over the years, it has…

This isn't just another old farm; it's a portal to a simpler time. Fosterfields, as it's known today, shows what life was like on a working farm back around 1920. Before it was Fosterfields, it was owned by Joseph…

Ever imagine a world without instant communication? You're about to see where that world changed forever. This is Speedwell Ironworks, where the electric telegraph was perfected. Back in the 1830s, Samuel Morse and…

That lonely sentinel out on Raritan Bay? That's the Great Beds Light, and it's more than just a pretty picture. It's a symbol of resilience. The Great Beds Light Station was built to mark a large shoal, known as the…

Imagine a world powered by steam, where trains were vital to national defense. That's the story of U.S. Army 4039, a locomotive built right here in 1942 for World War II. ALCO, the American Locomotive Company, churned…

This century-old water tank stands as a reminder of the vital role railroads played in the industrial development of northern New Jersey. Back in 1904, the Morristown and Erie Railroad built this water tank right here…

Ever wonder where commercial aviation really took off in the United States? It was right here at Newark Metropolitan Airport, the nation's first major airport.Opened in 1928, Newark Metropolitan quickly became a hub for…

Imagine a time when Black doctors struggled to find places to treat their patients. That's why this spot is so important. Dr. John A. Kenney Sr. founded Kenney Memorial Hospital right here in 1927. It was located at 130…

Ever wonder about the grand estates that once dotted Newark? You're near the former site of Glencoe, also known as the Coe Mansion. Built in 1871, Glencoe was a significant example of late 19th-century architecture in…

Pull over here in Millstone, it was once the bustling heart of Somerset County. Back then, it was known as Somerset Courthouse, and it served as the county seat. Important decisions were made right here. But things…

Thomas Edison's West Orange laboratory complex was the world's first industrial research facility, producing over half of his 1,093 patents.

Pull over for a second, and picture this: a grand theater, once known as The Mosque, buzzing with music and life. Newark Symphony Hall was built in 1925, quickly becoming a cultural hub. For years, this was home to the…

Pull over for a second and imagine a Staten Island far removed from the city – a place of sprawling farms and elegant estates. This is the Seguine Mansion, a window into that bygone era. Joseph H. Seguine built this…

Ever wonder where the first batteries for electric vehicles were mass-produced? You're near the Edison Storage Battery Company Building. Thomas Edison, yes, *that* Edison, developed a nickel-iron battery in 1901. This…

Did you know this unassuming corner holds a story of faith, resilience, and community? St. James' A.M.E. Church, originally built in 1850, has been a landmark here for over a century. Designed by architect John Welch,…

Get ready to step back in time to the place where innovation was practically a daily event! This is Thomas Edison's laboratory and estate, a hub of invention for over 40 years. In 1887, Edison moved his operations here…

You're near a place that marks the beginning of a powerful community. Bethany Baptist Church started with just a handful of people who wanted a place to call their own. In 1870, a group of about 26 African Americans,…

Did you know this area was once home to the oldest social organization in New Jersey? The Newark Female Charitable Society, later known as the Newark Day Center, was founded by prominent women of Newark in 1803. These…

Believe it or not, this area was once dominated by varnish! In 1865, Franklin Murphy founded Murphy Varnish Works, which became the largest varnish producer in Newark. Murphy himself went on to become a New Jersey…

Ever wonder what life was like behind bars over a century ago? This spot marks the location of the old Essex County Jail, a place that witnessed over a century of American prison history. Construction on the complex…

These grounds whisper tales of Newark's earliest settlers and their unwavering faith. The First Presbyterian Church, now known as First Church Newark, has stood here for centuries, witnessing the city's growth and…

Newark, a vibrant city built on a relatively flat landscape only 54 feet above sea level, has always hummed with a particular energy. Established in 1666 and named for Newark-on-Trent, England, its strategic location…

This unassuming building has sheltered generations of Newark's children, from orphans to college students. Originally the Newark Orphan Asylum, it was built in 1856 and 1857 to provide a home for children in need. For…

This spot whispers of early 20th-century grandeur, a time when banks built cathedrals to commerce. Designed by the renowned architect Cass Gilbert, the First National State Bank Building rose here in 1912. Gilbert,…

Step inside what was once believed to be the oldest schoolhouse in the United States, a testament to early education. This unassuming clapboard house in Historic Richmond Town was once thought to be the Voorlezer's…

Founded in 1708, St. Andrew's Church has witnessed centuries of Staten Island history. The congregation was established way back in 1708. They built their first church between 1708 and 1712, then expanded it around…

Dominating the Newark skyline, this neo-classical skyscraper was once the tallest building in the city. Built in 1931, the National Newark Building, formerly the National Newark and Essex Bank Building, quickly became a…

Founded way back in 1660, this spot has been a center of community on Staten Island for centuries. It's more than just a building; it's a living timeline. This Reformed Church's story really starts with the early Dutch…

Once the tallest building in Newark, the Military Park Building offers a glimpse into the city's architectural past. Designed by Polhemus & Coffin, the Military Park Building was completed in 1926. It stood as the…

Imagine living in the lap of luxury, fueled by the success of a brewing empire. That's exactly what the John Ballantine House represents. Built in 1884, this stunning mansion was home to John Holme Ballantine, son of…

Check it out, that's the old American Insurance Company Building! It was once a shining symbol of Newark's powerful insurance industry. Built in 1925, this neo-classical skyscraper at 15 Washington Street served as the…

Did you know that the sculptor of Mount Rushmore also created this monument right here? It's called Indian and the Puritan, and it stands in Harriet Tubman Square in Newark.The monument, crafted by Gutzon Borglum,…

This statue of George Washington marks the spot where history and art converged. Crafted by Scottish-American sculptor J. Massey Rhind, the equestrian statue portrays General Washington bidding farewell to his…

Once the largest and most costly municipal tuberculosis hospital in the US, this complex has a fascinating and somewhat eerie history. Seaview Hospital was built between 1905 and 1938 to combat the devastating…

Newark's Ironbound district, named for the railroad tracks that bound it, has been a gateway neighborhood for immigrant communities since the 1830s.

If houses could talk, this one would whisper tales of Staten Island's evolution. The Scott-Edwards House, right here in West New Brighton, is a fascinating blend of architectural styles, a visual timeline frozen in…

Get ready to glimpse a bygone era of industrial dominance! This spot was once the beating heart of the Clark Thread Company, the undisputed king of sewing thread worldwide. Construction began here in 1875. The Clark…

Pull over for a second – this unassuming fieldstone house has a surprisingly rebellious past. Built around 1722, it started as a simple one-room cottage. Fast forward to the American Revolution. This quiet house became…

This unassuming lighthouse was once crucial for navigating ships through the tricky waters just off Staten Island. Back in 1852, Congress approved funds to build the New Dorp Light. It was finished in 1856 by Richard…

Ever wonder where one of America's only two-time presidents got his start? This unassuming house is it. Stephen Grover Cleveland was born right here in Caldwell on March 18, 1837. His father, Richard Falley Cleveland,…

Grover Cleveland is the answer to one of the best presidential trivia questions: who served two non-consecutive terms? Born in this modest Presbyterian manse in Caldwell on March 18, 1837, Cleveland remains the only…

Imagine the bustling train travel of the early 1900s at this beautifully preserved terminal. This is Lackawanna Terminal, built in 1913. It served as the western end of the Montclair Branch for the Delaware, Lackawanna…

These weathered stones whisper tales of a community often overlooked: the African Americans of Lamington. This small cemetery, also known as the Cowperthwaite African American Cemetery, offers a glimpse into their lives…

This unassuming building holds a story of ambition, philanthropy, and access to knowledge. In 1904, this structure opened as the Montclair Public Library, funded in part by a grant from Andrew Carnegie. Carnegie, a…

Imagine a safe harbor for sailors, built with a pirate's fortune! That's Sailors' Snug Harbor. Captain Robert Richard Randall, a privateer's son, left his estate in 1801 to build a home for aged, decrepit, and worn-out…

Imagine a place dedicated to art, open to everyone, way back when that wasn't the norm. That's the Montclair Art Museum. This museum opened in 1914 as the very first in New Jersey specifically dedicated to art and…

Holsten's Brookdale Confectionery sits at 1063 Broad Street in Bloomfield, an old-fashioned ice cream parlor and candy shop that has been making its own chocolate and ice cream since 1939 (and is still open). It earned…

Imagine stepping back in time to the elegance of early 20th-century Staten Island. Casa Belvedere stands as a testament to Italian culture and refined architecture. Built in 1908, this mansion, originally the Louis A.…

This unassuming farmhouse has a powerful story to tell. The Grimes Homestead, built in the late 1700s, wasn't just a home; it served as a crucial stop on the Underground Railroad. Runaway slaves seeking freedom found…

Imagine a humble cottage hosting two giants: a revolutionary fighting for Italy's freedom and an inventor tinkering with a device that would connect the world. This is the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum on Staten Island.…

Imagine relying on horses and hand-pulled equipment to fight fires! That was the reality when the Cliffside Hose Company No. 4 was built. Back in 1901, this firehouse was constructed to protect the northern part of…

Imagine learning your ABCs in a building that's stood for generations – that's the story of the Church Street School. Built in 1875, this one-room schoolhouse served the children of Nutley for many years. It's a simple…

These walls have seen centuries of change. This is the Davenport–Demarest House, a testament to early Dutch settlement in New Jersey. Built in stages, the oldest section of this stone farmhouse dates back to sometime…

Pull over for a sec – this statue shows a side of Lincoln you don't usually see in history books. It's called 'Lincoln the Mystic' and it makes you wonder what was going on in his head.James Earle Fraser created this…

Pull over for a sec, because this unassuming church tells a story of early settlers in New Jersey. The Fairfield Dutch Reformed Church congregation was established way back in 1720 by Dutch families who'd made their…

Ever wonder what helped build early America? Look around, because right here, the Boonton Iron Works forged the very nails and bars that shaped a young nation. Around 1770, Samuel Ogden and his family set up shop along…

You're near the Old Bergen Church, a spot that's been a center of faith in this area since before New Jersey was even New Jersey! Back in 1660, when this was still the Dutch colony of New Netherland, settlers…

Standing here, you're near a hilltop that has witnessed Jersey City's evolution. The Beacon, that impressive complex you see, wasn't always luxury apartments. It began as the Jersey City Medical Center, moving to this…

Imagine a night out in Dover in the late 1880s, gas lamps flickering, the excitement of live performance filling the air. This is the Baker Building, once known as Baker's Opera House, a grand vaudeville theater built…

Pull over here for a second. This spot, the Bridgepoint Historic District, was once a bustling agricultural hub. From about 1730 to 1850, this area thrived on agriculture and commerce. Farmers brought their goods here…

Prepare to be amazed! This isn't just any building; it's the Loew's Jersey Theatre, a stunning survivor from the golden age of movie palaces. Imagine it's 1929. The Loew's Jersey opens its doors, one of five "Wonder…

Pull over here – this old mill tells a story of early industry in New Jersey. Built around 1828 by Nathan Cooper, this gristmill used the power of the Black River to grind grain into flour. For decades, local farmers…

Pull over for a sec - this old stone house has seen some things! It's the Van Duyne–Jacobus House, dating back to the mid-1700s. The oldest part of the house was built sometime between 1761 and 1778. It was a working…

Give me your tired your poor. 305 feet of copper freedom since 1886.

You are at the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center on the campus of Montclair State University in Little Falls, New Jersey. Yogi Berra played eighteen seasons with the New York Yankees, caught Don Larsen's perfect…

From 1892 to 1954, over twelve million immigrants entered the United States through Ellis Island in New York Harbor.

In 1998, the Supreme Court ruled that most of Ellis Island's landmass belongs to New Jersey, not New York.