As one of the original 13 colonies, New Jersey is a state with a rich history because it is one of the oldest provinces. While there’s plenty of interesting history to unearth in Hoboken and Jersey City alone, the northern NJ region is full of sites and areas with even stronger remnants of the “olden days’ ‘ that offer a glimpse into NJ and US history. To get you started on a historical tour of the state, Hoboken Girl has rounded up 17 places to visit in northern New Jersey to learn more about the Garden State’s history.
Central Railroad of New Jersey
Location: 1 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City
The Central Railroad of New Jersey was once the gateway to America for many immigrants entering the United States through Ellis Island. The train station used to have routes that ran throughout New Jersey and beyond – to neighboring states Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Washington DC. Now, the train station is a small, free museum highlighting the station’s history and the history of Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and the Hudson River. From the train station, you can get ferry service to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty for an even deeper dive into history.
Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty
Location: Jersey City
Visit both Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty on the same day to immerse yourself in not just the history of New Jersey but the history of the United States of America. Once an active immigration center, Ellis Island was the greeting point for millions of men, women, and children traveling to the U.S. for freedom and shelter. Visiting the Statue of Liberty is an unforgettable experience, as well. Travel to the top of Lady Liberty and take in breathtaking views of the Hudson River, New York, Jersey City, and beyond.
Weehawken Dueling Grounds
Location: Hamilton Avenue / Hamilton Park, Weehawken
Back in the 1800s, problems weren’t solved over texts and sealed with a hug. “Dueling” was the primary way for men to settle differences. Seriously, it was normal to travel by foot or boat {from NYC} to Weehawken for a dueling match. This space, now a park, was even home to a historic fight between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr {we got you, Hamilton fans} that led to Hamilton’s death the following day. Modern-day, a positive perk of visiting this site: great views of NYC!
Boxwood Hall
Location: 1073 East Jersey Street, Elizabeth
Initially, home to Elias Boudinot, {president of the Continental Congress who signed the peace treaty to end the Revolutionary War}, Boxwood Hall is a residence that George Washington once visited on his way to his inauguration as the first-ever President of the United States. The house was later sold and became home to the youngest signer of the Constitution, Jonathan Dayton. Now, the home and historic site is open for informational tours by reservation {call 908-232-3194}.
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
Location: 211 Main Street, West Orange
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The Thomas Edison National Historical Park, located in West Orange, is home to America’s greatest inventor’s house and laboratory, which are restored to their original condition and available for the public to visit. These labs are where motion picture cameras, sound recordings, silent and sound movies, and many more incredible inventions were developed by Thomas Edison. Check out the Thomas Edison National Historical Park website for visiting information.
Read More: 11 National Parks to Visit in New Jersey
Eagle Rock Reservation Conservancy
Location: Eagle Rock Avenue at Prospect Avenue {Route.577}, West Orange
(Photo credit: Eagle Rock Reservation Conservancy)
In an elevated land area in West Orange, George Washington and his troops once strategized how to win our country’s independence during the Revolutionary War. The location made a perfect overlook spot and allowed the U.S. troops to spy over British camps. Years later, the land gained the nickname “Eagle Rock Park” as a large boulder atop the reservation was a popular perch for eagles. Fast forward to 1903. The park was a backdrop for the first-ever motion picture, The Great Train Robbery, filmed by Thomas Edison. Eagle Rock Park was later developed in the early 1900s, and in 1911, construction finished on the building atop the land. It was built in the “casino” style, meaning the first floor was an open-air room. Now, the building is home to the Highlawn Pavilion, a popular venue and restaurant.
Historic New Bridge Landing and the Steuben House
Location: 1209 Main Street, River Edge
Originally built in 1752, the Steuben House is a five-room stone cottage situated in the “New Bridge” area which was an important battleground, military headquarters, and intel-gathering post during the Revolutionary War. It became a short-term headquarters for George Washington and his troops after its owners showed their loyalty to Britain and fled to British-held Manhattan. The house gained its name after the State of New Jersey presented the abandoned house to Major-General Baron von Steuben in 1783. The State of New Jersey bought the house in 1928. The Bergen County Historical Society opens the house for special events.
Paterson Great Falls National Historic Site
Location: Paterson
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Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury, was adamant about the United States building industry after the Revolutionary War ended. He co-founded the Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures (S.U.M.), a manufacturing group operated by individuals with backing from the government. In 1792, this organization purchased over 700 acres of land above and below the Great Falls and established Paterson, named after NJ Governor William Paterson. S.U.M. was responsible for the early development of water power systems for industrial use, thanks to the Paterson Great Falls’ power. Now, the area is a beautiful place to walk around and explore.
Lambert Castle
Location: Paterson
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The Lambert Castle introduces some art history to this list of historical places to visit in northern New Jersey. Catholina Lambert, a wealthy English immigrant and silk entrepreneur, built the house in the fashion of an old English castle and named it “Belle Vista.” The luxurious interior of the home and Lambert’s ever-growing, impressive collection of paintings and sculptures drew many famous visitors, including former presidents. In 1925, the City of Paterson bought the building from Lambert’s son and later in 1934, established a museum and library, which is still accessible to the public, in the building.
The Dey Manor
Location: 199 Totowa Road, Wayne
George Washington made his way around northern New Jersey during the Revolutionary War. The Dey Manor was another place that he and his troops called their headquarters for a short period {3 months} in 1780. Theunis and Hester Dey built the mansion in 1770, and the home remained in the family until 1801. Varying constituents owned the house until 1930, when restoration of the property and building began by Charles Over Cornelius, an architect and former decorative arts curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Today, you can visit the home and explore the beautifully furnished interior filled with antiques from the 18th century. It is operated by the Passaic County Department of Parks and Recreation.
Historic Speedwell
Location: 333 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown
It was at this seven-acre property, now a National Historic Landmark, that Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail introduced the telegraph to the public. The Historic Speedwell which boasts a three-story telecommunications museum. Along with the museum, the area to explore includes 18th-century buildings with exhibits and a park featuring ironworks, a walking trail, a waterfall, and a lake.
Ringwood Manor
Location: 1304 Sloatsburg Road, Ringwood
Another National Historic Landmark to visit on our list, Ringwood Manor, has historical importance for various reasons. According to the website, the land on which the manor sits is confirmed to have been commonplace for a diverse mix of Native American Indians. The Ringwood Manor became a large estate where NJ families spent their summers and was eventually donated to the State of New Jersey as a museum and a state park. According to its website, the “original historical structures, gardens, and landscapes on 582 acres and extensive historical collections illustrative of family life, community, industry, and culture are a unique repository of American history.”
Hopatcong State Park
Location: 6 Lakeside Boulevard, Landing
Hopatcong State Park is nine miles long, and its focal point, Lake Hopatcong, is a popular New Jersey destination for fishing, boating, and swimming. On land first inhabited by Native Americans far before history was written, the park is historic by way of how early settlers on the land used it. The park was originally developed for practical purposes – to support the Morris Canal waterway that acted as a primary source of transportation for zinc, coal, and iron across NJ in the mid-late 1800s. When the NJ railroads began development, the waterway {and thus the energy from Lake Hopatcong that fueled the waterway} was less needed. Now, Hopatcong Park is a beautiful place to spend the day. There is a historical museum at the park that highlights the lake’s history, the Morris Canal, and Native American history.
Photo Credit: @delwatergapnps
Delaware Water Gap
Location: Columbia
The Delaware Water Gap is located in western, northern New Jersey, and borders Pennsylvania. The area is now used for recreational activities but has a significant history. Throughout the park are impressive Native American archeological sites, structures that have lasted from early Dutch and colonial settlements remains of rural villages, and landscapes of frontiers from the French and Indian War. Now, the region is a popular destination for vacationers looking for beaches, hiking, and gorgeous landscapes.
See More: Historical Walking Tour: A Guide to Journal Square in Jersey City
Grover Cleveland Birthplace Memorial
Location: 207 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell
Grover Cleveland, the 22nd President of the United States, was born and raised in this house in Caldwell, New Jersey! The first floor still portrays the house as it was laid out in 1837.
Kingsland Manor
Location: 3 Kingsland Street, Nutley
The Kingsland Manor is a museum that showcases life in the 1700s. It is listed on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places and is maintained by the Historic Restoration Trust of Nutley. The manor is named after Major Nathaniel Kingsland of Barbados, who became the landowner of much of northern New Jersey in 1668 — he lived in this house! For visiting hours and more information on the Kingsland Manor and its unique role in NJ history, check out the website.
Waterloo Village
Location: 525 Waterloo Road, Stanhope
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Waterloo Village is a restored, 19th-century village and NJ historical site featuring working sawmills, a general store, iron-working shop, and several historic houses that highlight the life of Lenape Indians {the regions’ earliest settlers} to the establishment of the Andover Mine {the area was rich with iron} in the early 1700s.
