Middlesex County NJ
Home MenuEast Jersey Old Town Village
1050 River Road
Piscataway, NJ 08854
732-745-3030
FREE ADMISSION and Open Year Round Historical Interpreters Onsite from April–October
Hours:
Wednesday–Friday: 10 am–4 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 12–4 pm
Parking: It’s free and easy: Here’s a map of the Village, including our accessible parking area.
Accessibility: East Jersey Old Town Village is accessible to wheelchair users. Please call us at 732-745-3030 for further information or questions about accommodations you would need in order to visit the Village.
East Jersey Old Town Village
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.
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
Wander 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!
First Fridays
- Date: 08/04/2023 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
- Location: Monument Square Park
2 Livingston Avenue
New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
On Friday, August 4th from 3:00-5:00 pm, join the Arts Institute for their next First Fridays event on Livingston Ave in Monument Square Park! This month we encourage you to “Show us what you love!” with heart centric activities in anticipation of the 4th Annual Heart Festival! DJ Derrick and DJ Wes will be spinning our favorite tunes, join in Above Arts Studio’s community “HEART” project, pamper your furry loved one with pup themed giveaways, and pick the complimentary patty that you love from the Jamaican Patty Wagon. Show your appreciation during a step performance by New Jersey’s own “Steppaz With Attitude”! JazzyJ Face and Body Art will create a beautiful design of a heart or something else you love! Share the love by bringing school supplies for our local community! Donations will be given away at local school supply give-away events. In the event of rain, all activities move inside the lobby New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (11 Livingston Ave). First Fridays are open to all! Invite your friends, colleagues, and family!
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 Village Events
First Fridays
- Date: 08/04/2023 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
- Location: Monument Square Park
2 Livingston Avenue
New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
On Friday, August 4th from 3:00-5:00 pm, join the Arts Institute for their next First Fridays event on Livingston Ave in Monument Square Park! This month we encourage you to “Show us what you love!” with heart centric activities in anticipation of the 4th Annual Heart Festival! DJ Derrick and DJ Wes will be spinning our favorite tunes, join in Above Arts Studio’s community “HEART” project, pamper your furry loved one with pup themed giveaways, and pick the complimentary patty that you love from the Jamaican Patty Wagon. Show your appreciation during a step performance by New Jersey’s own “Steppaz With Attitude”! JazzyJ Face and Body Art will create a beautiful design of a heart or something else you love! Share the love by bringing school supplies for our local community! Donations will be given away at local school supply give-away events. In the event of rain, all activities move inside the lobby New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (11 Livingston Ave). First Fridays are open to all! Invite your friends, colleagues, and family!
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.