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: 12/01/2023 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
- Location: Monument Square Park
2 Livingston Ave
New Brunswick, New Jersey
The Arts Institute of Middlesex County’s First Fridays - December is going to be LIT!
Join us on Friday, December 1st from 3:30- 5:30pm in Monument Square Park for a Holiday celebration that is all about our Littles!! Young performers from the New Brunswick Public Schools (Elementary to High School) will be lighting up our hearts with their energetic Holiday Concerts. We are also excited to welcome a festive holiday mural, created and installed by the New Brunswick High School Art Honor Society!
Other creative amenities including: Face painting by JazzyJ, Caricatures by Matt Many, delicious treats from Food Architects, a Live ice sculpture demonstration courtesy of New Brunswick City Center, and more, will help you get in the holiday spirit! Miss Audi, from the Community Food Bank of New Jersey will be joining us to share valuable information about their programs.
This First Friday event will be followed by the City of New Brunswick’s Annual Tree Lighting from 5 to 9 pm!
All events are FREE and we welcome guests of ALL ages!
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: 12/01/2023 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
- Location: Monument Square Park
2 Livingston Ave
New Brunswick, New Jersey
The Arts Institute of Middlesex County’s First Fridays - December is going to be LIT!
Join us on Friday, December 1st from 3:30- 5:30pm in Monument Square Park for a Holiday celebration that is all about our Littles!! Young performers from the New Brunswick Public Schools (Elementary to High School) will be lighting up our hearts with their energetic Holiday Concerts. We are also excited to welcome a festive holiday mural, created and installed by the New Brunswick High School Art Honor Society!
Other creative amenities including: Face painting by JazzyJ, Caricatures by Matt Many, delicious treats from Food Architects, a Live ice sculpture demonstration courtesy of New Brunswick City Center, and more, will help you get in the holiday spirit! Miss Audi, from the Community Food Bank of New Jersey will be joining us to share valuable information about their programs.
This First Friday event will be followed by the City of New Brunswick’s Annual Tree Lighting from 5 to 9 pm!
All events are FREE and we welcome guests of ALL ages!
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.