The Division of History and Historic Preservation interprets the history of Middlesex County and the Raritan Valley* from the settlement period to the early twentieth century. Objects and artifacts that help tell this story are displayed at both East Jersey Old Town Village and the Cornelius Low House/Middlesex County Museum.

We are seeking items that encompass the area of human activity within the Raritan Valley and the County of Middlesex, and where appropriate elsewhere as it relates to Raritan Valley’s history, from the earliest times to the present day. Items fall into the following categories:

• Community Life – cultural traditions, belief, organizations,  welfare, education, amenities, sports, warfare, and defense.

• Domestic Family Life – domestic and family administration, housing, furnishings and fittings, household management, food, drink, hobbies, crafts, and pastimes.

• Personal Life – personal administration, mementos, memorials, costume, and personal well-being.

• Working Life – agriculture, energy and water supply, minerals and chemicals, metals and metal goods, engineering, etc., construction, transport, and communications, distribution, hotels, and catering.

If you have items that you would like to donate that you think fit into these criteria please contact: Katie Zavoski, Senior Curator at 732.745.4177 or email  Katie.Zavoski@co.middlesex.nj.us 

*The Raritan Valley is the region along the middle reaches of the Raritan River and its North Branch and South Branch. The Raritan Valley includes the communities of Branchburg, Bridgewater, Somerville, Raritan, Hillsborough, Franklin, Green Brook, North Plainfield, Bound Brook, and South Bound Brook, all in Somerset County; Piscataway, South Plainfield, New Brunswick, Highland Park, Edison, Middlesex, Dunellen, and Metuchen, all in the northern and central portions of Middlesex County; and Plainfield in southwestern Union County.