In celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary, Environmental Protection Acting Commissioner Ed Potosnak today highlighted more than $130 million in ongoing restoration and visitor improvement projects at state-owned historic sites that have had pivotal roles in New Jersey and American history, spanning from the American Revolution through the Industrial Revolution and beyond.
Acting Commissioner Potosnak discussed the investments today at the Wallace House Historic Site in Somerville, Somerset County, which is undergoing a $4.3 million restoration and served as General George Washington’s headquarters when the Continental Army encamped at Middlebrook during the winter of 1778-1779. He emphasized the Sherrill Administration’s commitment to ensure visitors are inspired by elements of American history that are uniquely New Jersey. “The determination and resilience of America and her people can be found in the pivotal actions of New Jersey’s contributions from 250 years ago to today,”
Governor Mikie Sherrill said. “As we welcome the world to our state this year, our state historic sites are testament to New Jersey’s crucial role in the creation of our country.” “The Sherrill Administration is on a mission to deliver a government that works for people and is proud to expand services that all residents and visitors can enjoy, including protection of historic and natural resources,” said Acting Commissioner Potosnak. “The ongoing projects across our state historic sites, including the Washington Crossing Visitor Center — New Jersey’s gift to America in celebration of the 250th, will ensure a safe, educational, enjoyable, and welcoming experience for the many visitors we expect to have this year from around the country and world for this milestone anniversary, and in the future.” Works In Progress Statewide, more than 30 projects are in various stages of work, from initial design to construction and final completion, with many expected to be ready this summer. Funding has been provided by several federal and state administrations, and some projects are years in the making, all to maintain and elevate New Jersey’s historic resources.
“These state-owned historic sites tell the story of the critical role that New Jersey played in shaping the nation,” said John Cecil, Assistant Commissioner for State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites. “As we celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary, these investments enhance the visitor experience and ensure that New Jersey’s historic places continue to educate and inspire visitors for generations to come.” Funding for the projects comes from multiple sources, including constitutionally dedicated Corporate Business Tax revenue in accordance with the Preserve New Jersey Act, the New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund, the New Jersey Historic Trust, the federal American Rescue Plan, the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, as well as the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Fund. New Jersey saw nearly 600 battles and skirmishes during the War of Independence, far more than any of the other colonies, and became known as the “Crossroads of the American Revolution.” Washington Crossing State Park Museum & Visitor Center: A Gift to America New Jersey’s gift to the nation for its 250th anniversary this year is construction of an approximately $25 million Museum & Visitor Center at Washington Crossing State Park in Mercer County, where General Washington and the Continental Army landed after crossing the nearby Delaware River late on Christmas night, 1776. A highlight of the museum is the Crossing Theater, an immersive 4-D experience where visitors can stand on a replica ferry boat immersed in a video re-enacting the famous crossing of the Delaware. The building will also have a separate 125-seat multipurpose theater, a gallery for temporary exhibits, a welcome lobby with a terrazzo floor depicting a historic map of the crossing, and a covered outdoor terrace. Exhibits throughout take visitors through a timeline of the Revolutionary War starting in 1775, to the Ten Crucial Days, Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas night, the first and second battles of Trenton, the Battle of Princeton and concluding in 1783.
The Museum & Visitor Center is anticipated to open later this year. “Adding state-of-the-art technology to the state’s Revolutionary War historic sites allow visitors of all ages and future generations to experience history in new ways,” said Mark Texel, Administrator for State Historic Sites. “New Jersey’s role as the Crossroads of the American Revolution is unmatched, and these investments will help ensure the legacy that is our American story.” Longer-Term Historic Sites Improvements The Walt Whitman House Historic Site in Camden, Camden County, is undergoing a transformative $13 million visitor improvement project creating a new Visitor & Interpretive Center, along with an exterior restoration of Whitman’s historic home. Constructed in 1848, this modest wood-frame house in the Greek Revival style was the only home ever owned by Whitman. Here, he rose to international fame as the author of “Leaves of Grass,” welcomed visitors from around the world, and completed his final comprehensive volume of poetry before his death in 1892. The Visitor & Interpretive Center will be ADA-accessible, with exhibits on the life and work of the “Poet of Democracy,” and interpretive experiences that allow visitors with mobility disabilities to experience the historic site for the first time. The property is closed to the public for the duration of the project and is expected to reopen in 2027.
The Historic Train Shed at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, Hudson County, has sat in ruins, off limits to park visitors since the park opened in 1976 as New Jersey’s bicentennial gift to the nation. Designed by architect A. Lincoln Bush and constructed between 1912 and 1914, it is the largest Bush-type train shed ever built and served as a debarkation point for immigrants who arrived in the United States via Ellis Island. Through the Liberty State Park Revitalization Program, a portion of the structure will be restored to create flexible gathering and event space, including seating and interpretive programming. Restoration of the train shed is anticipated to begin later this year with the removal of the concrete roof, asbestos abatement and stabilization of the structure. Many structural elements will be replaced, including historic cast-iron columns, which will be substituted with new steel supports. Remaining historic features, both structural and decorative, will be restored, reused or replicated as needed. Site Enhancements Around New Jersey Multiple projects are in progress around the state, with many in early design stages. Atlantic County Absecon Lighthouse, commissioned in 1855, is undergoing a full exterior restoration in partnership with the Inlet Public/Private Association. Camden County Interior and exterior restorations including replacement of the climate control system are underway at the Indian King Tavern in Haddonfield, where the Declaration of Independence was first read into the minutes of the New Jersey General Assembly.
Mercer County In Princeton, the roof of the Clarke House Historic Site at Princeton Battlefield State Park and the park’s historic colonnade have been restored, and bathrooms have been refurbished. Paths have been updated with a pervious surface to improve stormwater management, and roads as well as parking areas have been resurfaced. Through an ongoing collaboration with the American Battlefield Trust and the Princeton Battlefield Society, the park has added upgraded interpretive signage, launched an augmented reality mobile tour app, and begun development of a multiyear landscape restoration plan, along with early visioning for a future visitor center. In Trenton, the base of the Trenton Battle Monument in the state’s capital is being made ADA-compliant. Landscaping and lighting improvements are also underway. Middlesex County The Proprietary House Historic Site in Perth Amboy, the preserved residence of the Colonial-era Royal Governor, is receiving upgrades to its fire suppression system, installation of new fireproof doors, egress improvements, along with repaved parking lots, improved ADA accessibility, outdoor interpretive signage, lighting upgrades, and deck repairs. Monmouth County A new entrance sign, wayfinding signs and interpretive signage are being installed at Monmouth Battlefield State Park in Manalapan to educate visitors about one of the longest battles of the American Revolution. A preservation and interpretation plan was developed for the Craig House Historic Site, along with lighting improvements throughout parking areas. Passaic County Ringwood Manor in Ringwood State Park, home to a succession of ironmasters from the colonial period through the early 20th century, is receiving a complete exterior restoration, including windows. The work compliments a roof restoration project completed in 2022. Salem County Windows and doors of the Hancock House Historic Site in Lower Alloways Creek Township have been restored. The Swedish Cabin at the historic site will receive roof and siding repairs, an interior restoration, ADA accessibility upgrades, lighting improvements, and a new climate control system. Somerset County In Franklin Township, Rockingham Historic Site, which was General Washington’s final wartime headquarters, has had a complete exterior restoration, structural improvements to the front porch, new pathways, as well as updated wayfinding and interpretive signage. Additional structural repairs to the structure are underway.
In Somerville, The Wallace House Historic Site exterior restoration includes repairing the roof, chimneys, clapboard, framing, windows and foundation, improving drainage and ADA accessibility, and restoring the structure’s historic linseed oil paint finish. An exterior restoration including landscape restoration, installation of stormwater drainage, and ADA access are planned at The Old Dutch Parsonage Historic Site, which is adjacent to The Wallace House. Sussex County Cabins at Stokes State Forest in Sandyston Township are being restored. The Civilian Conservation Corps built the cabins under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. Union County An ADA accessible ramp and restroom are being added at Boxwood Hall Historic Site in Elizabeth. Warren County A historic structure is being restored at Waterloo Village Historic Site in Byram Township, and both the Iron Masters House and the historic Inclined Plane on the Morris Canal are being stabilized. To learn more about New Jersey’s State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites, visit stateparks.nj.gov. Like New Jersey’s State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites page on Facebook at facebook.com/newjerseystateparks. Follow the New Jersey State Parks on Instagram @newjerseystateparks