The Old Dutch Parsonage, located near the Wallace House, was built in 1751 for the Reverend John Frelinghuysen with funds from three Dutch Reformed congregations in the Raritan Valley. This Georgian-style structure served not only as a minister’s home but also as a place of theological instruction. Reverend Frelinghuysen tutored several students in the parsonage, including Jacob Rutsen Hardenbergh, who would go on to become a leading figure in the founding of Queen’s College (now Rutgers University) in 1766. The house remained a parsonage until 1810 before passing into private ownership, eventually becoming the residence of a local physician.
The State of New Jersey acquired the building in 1947, and it is now operated in tandem with the Wallace House. Visitors today can explore the Parsonage to learn about early Dutch Reformed religious life, the roots of higher education in New Jersey, and the broader cultural and intellectual history of the colonial period.
What's Nearby
Explore more of The Liberty Trail by visiting these nearby attractions.
Stories from Old Dutch Parsonage
The home of a prominent Philadelphia merchant, this was the largest home built in New Jersey during the Revolution. During the Continental Army's encampment at Middleburg, it served as George Washington's Headquarters.
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.
The Cornelius Low House, constructed in 1741, stands today as one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in New Jersey.