Living historians posing for a photo in front of the East Jersey Old Town Village
Historic Site | State/County Park

East Jersey Old Town Village

The East Jersey Old Town Village is a collection of historic structures dating the 18th century. Today, living historians walk the grounds, bringing the Revolution and the Colonial Era to life.

  • Parking
  • Accessible Parking
  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Restrooms

East Jersey Old Town Village offers a glimpse into the past with its collection of historic buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, many of which were relocated from Raritan Landing, once a bustling colonial port along the Raritan River. In the 1700s, Raritan Landing was a vital hub for trade and commerce, home to merchants, artisans, and farmers who helped supply goods to the larger Atlantic economy. While the original town gradually faded away, its structures have been preserved at East Jersey Old Town Village, allowing visitors to step into the world of New Jersey colonists.

The village isn't just about looking—it's about experiencing. Living historians demonstrate traditional trades like blacksmithing, woodworking, and weaving, giving visitors a hands-on sense of daily life centuries ago. Interactive exhibits highlight the cultural influences of Dutch, English, and Native American heritage in the region. Whether you're watching an artisan at work, stepping inside a colonial-era home, or exploring the grounds, East Jersey Old Town Village makes history feel real, tangible, and alive.

What's Nearby

Explore more of The Liberty Trail by visiting these nearby attractions.

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Abraham Staats House, located in South Bound Brook, NJ

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Von Steuben's Middlebrook HQ that hosted Washington

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The Van Veghten House, Greene's Headquarters at Middlebrook

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Greene's Headquarters at Middlebrook

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Nathaniel Drake House Exterior

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Washington's HQ prior to the battle of Short Hills

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Exterior of the Wallace House

Somerville, NJ 08876

Washington's HQ at the Middlebrook encampment

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Washington's Headquarters at Rockingham

Franklin Township, NJ 08528

Where Washington penned his Farewell Orders

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Nassau Hall, Princeton University

Princeton, NJ 08542

Defensive British position at the Battle of Princeton

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The Village Inn in Englishtown, New Jersey

Englishtown, NJ 07726

Washington orders Lee to begin the Battle of Monmouth

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A painting illustrating British grenadiers bayoneting Gen. Hugh Mercer.

Princeton, NJ 08540

Final, decisive battle of the Ten Crucial Days

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View of the encampment area at Jockey Hollow area of Morristown NPS

Morristown, NJ 07960

Site of two Continental winter encampments

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The Wick House at Jockey Hollow in Morristown

Morristown, NJ 07960

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Craig House, Located on the Monmouth Battlefield

Freehold, NJ 07728

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Washington at Monmouth

Manalapan, NJ 07726

Continental generals attack the British rear guard

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View from a gun position at Fort Nonsense, Morristown NPS

Morristown, NJ 07960

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Washington's Headquarters at Morristown photographed in the winter

Morristown, NJ 07960

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Historic Depiction of Arnold's Tavern in Morristown New Jersey

Morristown, NJ 07960

Washington's HQ for the first Morristown encampment

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Stories from East Jersey Old Town Village

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The Royal Governor's Mansion of New Jersey is the only remaining proprietary governor's mansion of the original Thirteen Colonies still standing today. Built in the 1760s, it served as the residence gubernatorial residence of William Franklin, Benjamin Franklin's Loyalist son.

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Reposted from battlefields.org As night fell on January 2, 1777 both armies took a breath after the daylong fighting on the King’s Highway and at Assunpink Creek. Washington had a critical decision to...
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