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East Jersey Old Town Village

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A Collection of 16 Historic Buildings From the Revolutionary War and Beyond

This special historic village has delighted visitors with a glimpse into the past since its opening in 1978.

East Jersey Old Town Aerial (2)

The Village features historic structures from the 1700s and 1800s, reloca­ted to its site within Johnson Pa­rk. They represent different architecture styles found throughout Middlesex County’s Rarita­n Valley. The Village’s founder, Dr. Joseph Kler, and a group of local residents saved most of the buildings from demolition and transported them to the Village where they were reassembled and restored to reflect how they would have looked way back when.

Now you can explore these buildings of early residents and the archaeological discoveries from the long-vanished port community of Raritan Landing, which was located in the same area as East Jersey Old Town Village, on the Raritan River.

Check out our calendar of upcoming special events, programs, and exhibits.

An Outing Adults, Kids, and History Buffs Will Love

EJOT_MapWander through time with indoor and outdoor experiences. Visit a tavern, traditional schoolhouse, chapel, blacksmith shop, and more. See a stone carver, printer, Revolutionary War soldiers, and other historical interpreters in action. The kids can relax in our children’s room with crafts and movies, too. Then enjoy the lovely nature in Johnson Park, including picnic tables for lunch.

Explore a gateway site for the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area, situated along the Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail, where Continental, British, French, and Hessian troops, passed through and encamped. Stop by the General Store and purchase postcards, books, t-shirts, teas, and honey from our beehives.

 

Liberty Base Ball

The Village grounds also host the Liberty Base Ball Club, an amateur team that plays in the style of the original Liberty Base Ball Club of New Brunswick, founded in 1857. The current team uses replica uniforms, equipment, and rules from the 1850s!

Revolutionary Celebration at EJOTV

Join George Washington and the Continental Army on the banks of the Raritan River for a live reenactment with cannon fire and a musket salute just like the one that took place nearby on July 4th 1778, in celebration of the second anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

FREE FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!
To view the flyer, click here.

July 4 schedule and information

12pm

Fife & Drum

1pm

Von Steuben

2pm

George Washington

3pm

Cannon Demonstration

3-5pm

Mark Heter Band

4pm

Cannon Demonstration

5pm

Fue de joie

 

Fife & Drum music

Friedrich Wilhelm August Heinrich Ferdinand von Steuben, also referred to as Baron von Steuben, was a Prussian military officer who played a leading role in the American Revolutionary War by reforming the Continental Army into a disciplined and professional fighting force.  Hear him speak about his life and coming to America and molding the Continental Army into a formidable force.

George Washington spent more time in New Jersey than in any other state, establishing dozens of headquarters here during the course of the war.  In fact, New Jersey saw nearly 600 battles and skirmishes, which involved both soldier and citizen in a daily struggle to survive.  Join General Washington as he reminisces about his brightest and darkest moments in the fight for independence.

 Patriotic Music by the Mark Heter Band

Feu de Joie (Fire of Joy) - Excerpt of “General Orders, 4 July 1778,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-16-02-0020. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 16, 1 July–14 September 1778, ed. David R. Hoth. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2006, pp. 19–20.]

At 3 pm a Cannon will fire at the Park as a signal for the troops to be put under Arms and formed ready to march

At 4 pm another signal Cannon for the Right to march by the Right over the Bridge to the Ground which shall be shewn them to form on—At 4:30 pm  a third signal Cannon for the Left Wing to march by the Right and follow the Right Wing.

At 5 pm a signal for the second Line to form. Afterwards, upon a signal by order of the Commander in Chief, thirteen Pieces of Cannon will be discharged, after which a single Cannon which will be a signal for a runing fire to begin on the right of the Army and be continued to the left with Musquetry and Cannon. At the Conclusion of which, on a signal three Cheers will be given, “Perpetual and undisturbed Independence to the United States of America.”

 

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Liberty BBC teamLiberty BBC hit

The History of East Jersey Old Town Village

In the 1970s, Dr. Joseph Kler saved historic buildings from demolition and relocated them to Johnson Park. East Jersey Old Town Village would grow to become a center where the public could learn about the important history of central New Jersey. The family continued to remain active in the village for many years and contributed financially to the growth of the reading room.

East Jersey Old Town Aerial

East Jersey Old Town Village Events

Revolutionary Celebration at EJOTV

Join George Washington and the Continental Army on the banks of the Raritan River for a live reenactment with cannon fire and a musket salute just like the one that took place nearby on July 4th 1778, in celebration of the second anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

FREE FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!
To view the flyer, click here.

July 4 schedule and information

12pm

Fife & Drum

1pm

Von Steuben

2pm

George Washington

3pm

Cannon Demonstration

3-5pm

Mark Heter Band

4pm

Cannon Demonstration

5pm

Fue de joie

 

Fife & Drum music

Friedrich Wilhelm August Heinrich Ferdinand von Steuben, also referred to as Baron von Steuben, was a Prussian military officer who played a leading role in the American Revolutionary War by reforming the Continental Army into a disciplined and professional fighting force.  Hear him speak about his life and coming to America and molding the Continental Army into a formidable force.

George Washington spent more time in New Jersey than in any other state, establishing dozens of headquarters here during the course of the war.  In fact, New Jersey saw nearly 600 battles and skirmishes, which involved both soldier and citizen in a daily struggle to survive.  Join General Washington as he reminisces about his brightest and darkest moments in the fight for independence.

 Patriotic Music by the Mark Heter Band

Feu de Joie (Fire of Joy) - Excerpt of “General Orders, 4 July 1778,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-16-02-0020. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 16, 1 July–14 September 1778, ed. David R. Hoth. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2006, pp. 19–20.]

At 3 pm a Cannon will fire at the Park as a signal for the troops to be put under Arms and formed ready to march

At 4 pm another signal Cannon for the Right to march by the Right over the Bridge to the Ground which shall be shewn them to form on—At 4:30 pm  a third signal Cannon for the Left Wing to march by the Right and follow the Right Wing.

At 5 pm a signal for the second Line to form. Afterwards, upon a signal by order of the Commander in Chief, thirteen Pieces of Cannon will be discharged, after which a single Cannon which will be a signal for a runing fire to begin on the right of the Army and be continued to the left with Musquetry and Cannon. At the Conclusion of which, on a signal three Cheers will be given, “Perpetual and undisturbed Independence to the United States of America.”

 

Return to full list >>

American Revolution Watch a “battle” between the American patriots and the British redcoats. Historical Figures Visit the tavern and stand in the spot where George Washington was honored after the Revolution. Augmented Reality “Meet” the first president in our augmented reality tour. Architecture Check out different architectural styles of the Raritan Valley. Historic Technology Watch a colonial printing press in action. Liberty Base Ball Take in all the action at a vintage baseball game, 1857 style.