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All the United States New Jersey Piscataway East Jersey Old Town Village

East Jersey Old Town Village

A historic town sits upon the site of a long-lost 18th-century trading community.

Piscataway, New Jersey

Added By
Middlesex County Divison of Historic Sites History Services
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Historical interpreters in action.   Middlesex County Divison of Historic Sites History Services / Atlas Obscura User
Historical interpreters in action.   Middlesex County Divison of Historic Sites History Services / Atlas Obscura User
  Middlesex County Divison of Historic Sites History Services / Atlas Obscura User
Cherry   johnmeegan / Atlas Obscura User
  Middlesex County Divison of Historic Sites History Services / Atlas Obscura User
  Middlesex County Divison of Historic Sites History Services / Atlas Obscura User
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About

East Jersey Old Town Village features reconstructed and replica 18th-and 19th-century buildings that showcase the architecture of farm and merchant communities once found in New Jersey's Raritan Valley. The historic structures were moved from their original locations to Johnson Park in Piscataway. 

The village was intentionally established near the ruins of Raritan Landing, a trade center in the 1700s. For a long time, much about Raritan Landing remained a mystery, as most of the town was torn down and turned into farmland by the 1870s and there were no photographs, paintings, or original maps of the community. But archaeologists have unearthed artifacts from the area that provide glimpses into the old town. Some remnants of the settlement are still buried under Johnson Park, and there's an on-site exhibit devoted to archeological excavations. 

Historical interpreters breathe life into the hamlet, including a blacksmith, a tailor, a farmer, a stone carver, and the Liberty Base Ball Club.  The Liberty team plays baseball games utilizing authentic uniforms, equipment, and rules from the 1800s against other historically accurate opponents hailing from Maine to Maryland.

Related Tags

History 19th Century 18th Century Villages

Know Before You Go

Parking and admission are free. The village is a gateway site for the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area and situated along the Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail. It's open 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday to Friday, and 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The historical interpreters are on-site April 1 to October 31.

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Added By

Middlesex County Divison of Historic Sites History Services

Edited By

johnmeegan

  • johnmeegan

Published

August 11, 2020

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  • https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/works/environment/pdf/rediscoveringraritanlanding.PDF
  • https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-jersey/nj-ghost-towns/
East Jersey Old Town Village
1050 River Rd
Piscataway, New Jersey, 08854
United States
40.511707, -74.471446
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Cornelius Low House

Piscataway, New Jersey

miles away

Japanese Giant Spider Crab

New Brunswick, New Jersey

miles away

Evans/Ellis Cemetery

New Brunswick, New Jersey

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Piscataway

Piscataway

New Jersey

Places 2

Nearby Places

Cornelius Low House

Piscataway, New Jersey

miles away

Japanese Giant Spider Crab

New Brunswick, New Jersey

miles away

Evans/Ellis Cemetery

New Brunswick, New Jersey

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Piscataway

Piscataway

New Jersey

Places 2

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