Middlesex County’s Maritime History

In 2020, Middlesex County Division of History and Historic Preservation began to explore the County’s maritime history and surviving resources. It was during this period that the catboat “Kitty,” one of the oldest catboats in New Jersey, was found and acquired. Additional artifacts including historic documents dating back to the 1700s were also added to the collection. In 2021, a drone survey was conducted on seven vessels in Raritan Bay that are visible at low tide. Learn more here.

Washington Monumental Cemetery 

The Division conducted a non-intrusive Ground Penetrating Radar survey conducted at Washington Monumental Cemetery in South River that had long been reputed to contain victims of the 1918 Influenza Pandemic.

The results showed rows and rows of almost 400 unmarked graves. The find was covered by major news organizations in the New York, New Jersey region, and the Division continues to research the site and tell the story. 

Thomas Edison’s Family Home

Image of Thomas Edison's home at Menlo Park. Thomas Edison and his family lived in the house from 1876 until 1884. The family continued to own the home until 1903. The house was destroyed by fire in the 1920s and for the next 95 years the exact location of the home was lost over time. In partnership with the Archaeological Society of New Jersey, Middlesex County sponsored an open house archaeology program on the property where the house was located. The foundation of the kitchen wing was uncovered as well as artifacts dating from the period that Thomas Edison lived in the home. 

Indian Queen Tavern Dig

The dig site was in the vicinity of Albany and Water Streets. The findings were remarkable and included artifacts from The Indian Queen/Bell Tavern, the Van Dyke property, the “Dutch” House, the Parker House and six more lots or parcels on Water Street.