As one of the original 13 colonies, New Jersey has seen a wealth of history come its way. Here is just a sampling of the many historically-significant sites and landmarks within our borders.
To highlight the history found along the entire coastline, the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail (NJCHT) (609-447-0103) guides visitors along scenic back roads starting in Perth Amboy and following the coast south to Cape May before winding north and up the Delaware River.
New Jersey's best-known hero may very well be George Washington. You can retrace his footsteps in the Skylands Region at Morristown National Historic Park, the first historical park established by the Federal government. Tour Washington's headquarters in Ford Mansion, the Wick Farm House, and the soldier huts in Jockey Hollow.

At Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville in the Delaware River Region, Washington and his army entered New Jersey after crossing the Delaware River on Christmas night 1776, and the subsequent Battle of Trenton took place. Washington's crossing will be re-enacted in 1998 on December 26th.
Princeton Battlefield State Park (609-737-0623) was the site of Washington's 1777 victory over the British. After touring the battlefields, visit Rockingham Historic Site (609-921-8835) in Rocky Hill.
Further east in Manalapan stands the Monmouth Battlefield State Park (732-462-9616), which chronicles the June 28, 1778 Battle of Monmouth.
At Red Bank Battlefield in Gloucester County (609-853-5120), tour the remains of Fort Mercer and the restored Whitall House.

Historic Villages And Sites

New Jersey's centuries-old history is preserved in our many villages and towns. The Historic Village of Waterloo (973-347-0900) in Stanhope in the Skylands Region was first settled in the 1750s. Today, some of the buildings are house museums, and others are used for demonstrations by craftspeople.

Millbrook Village (908-841-9531) in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is a re-created 19th-century village where artisans demonstrate their crafts.

Once a flourishing part of New Jersey's bog-iron industry, Historic Allaire Village (732-938-2371) within Allaire State Park, is now a living history museum that recreates life in the 19th century. In the Delaware River Region,historic Batsto Village sits along the majestic Batona Trail which runs through Wharton State Forest. Also, throughout the Salem Historic District, you'll find unique 18th-century buildings, museums, and homes.

New Jersey's largest historic district is in Cumberland County in the town of Bridgeton (609-451-4802) where 2,200 buildings are listed on the National Historic Register.
Historic Cold Spring Village (609-898-2300) in Cape May is a typical 19th-century South Jersey farm village. Cape May is one of only a handful of American cities designated a National Historic District.

In the Greater Atlantic City Region, the Atlantic City Boardwalk is a world-wide landmark as it was the first boardwalk ever constructed, in 1870.

Landmark Parks

The Great Falls National Historic Landmark District in Paterson (973-279-9587) in the Gateway Region has exhibits which depict how Paterson became the home of the Colt revolver and the Holland submarine. It was also a leading producer of cotton and silk, and a major producer of locomotives and airplanes.

While in the region, also be sure to make time to visit the reconstructed Revolutionary War fort at Fort Lee Historic Park (201-461-3856).

At the 1,114-acre Liberty State Park (201-915-3400) in Jersey City, 12 million immigrants entered the United States. While a climb to the top of Statue of Liberty (212-363-3200) is a must, be sure to take the ferry to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum (212-363-7620), where the arriving immigrants' stories are documented. Back at the park, walk through the Central Railroad of NJ Terminal (201-915-3400).

Soak in some more historical lore in the Delaware River Region, at Fort Mott State Park (609-935-3218), a 104-acre waterfront park with buildings and gun embattlements from the Spanish-American war. The park is next to Finn's Point National Cemetery (609-935-3628) where 2,500 Confederate and 300 Union soldiers are buried.

Famous Historic Houses

New Jersey has hundreds of historical structures, each with their own unique story. A visit to any of these houses leaves us saying to ourselves, "If only these walls could talk!"

In Morristown in the Skylands Region, Historic Speedwell (973-540-0211), a national historic site, was the site of the 1838 first demonstration of Telegraph Morse Code.

In Somerville stands the Old Dutch Parsonage and Wallace House (908-725-1015), a state historic museum which was Washington's 1779 headquarters while his troops camped at Middlebrook. The first American flag sewn by Betsy Ross was flown here.

If you want to wrap yourself in luxury, visit Hermitage (201-445-8311), a gracious 1847 Gothic Revival house in Ho-Ho-Kus in the Gateway Region. Hermitage holds Victorian events throughout the year including elaborate Christmas festivities. Nearby in New Bridge Landing Historic Park, tour the Steuben House (201-487-1739) and the Campbell-Christie House (201-646-2780).

Edison National Historic Site in West Orange (973-736-0550) was the home and laboratory of Thomas Edison from 1887 until his death in 1931. While there, visit Glenmont, Edison's 29-room Victorian mansion.

In Princeton, Drumthwacket (609-683-0057), the official residence of New Jersey's governors, is a beautiful Greek Revival mansion built in 1834 for Charles S. Olden, Governor of New Jersey during the Civil War.

Immerse yourself in colonial history with a tour of the William Trent House (609-989-3027), the oldest house in Trenton and a National Historic Landmark. Also visit the New Jersey State House in Trenton (609-633-2709), America's second-oldest state capitol building in continuous use.

A leisurely stroll through the streets of Mount Holly (609-267-0170) will give you a greater appreciation of the area's historical significance, and a clear understanding of our country's early years. In addition to the Old School House, tour the 1796 Burlington County Olde Courthouse, the Historic Burlington County Prison Museum, the Woolman House, the Stephen Girard House, and the Friends Meeting House.

In the Greater Atlantic City Region, Somers Mansion (609-927-2212), built in 1725, is the oldest house in Atlantic County and was the home of John Somers, the town's founder.

From our National Historic Parks and Sites, to our 18th-and 19th-century villages, to our historic homes of famous Americans, New Jersey is a rich, interactive lesson in history just waiting to be explored.