Neen O'Malley Real Estate, Basking Ridge New Jersey

Somerset County is filled with sites of historic interest dating from the Revolutionary War. Come explore the county’s historic churches and canals, graveyards and gardens.

The Middlebrook Encampment This historic site, listed on the National & State registries, is significant as a Revolutionary War campground. General George Washington was here when "Old Glory-the Stars & Stripes" was adopted by the Continental Congress in 1777. As such, the flag of our struggling nation was delivered by horseman and displayed proudly above the General’s army encamped here. In tribute, the Declaration of Independence is read every 4^th of July with military and civilian ceremony. It is located on Middlebrook Road, between Vosseller and Mountain Avenues in Bound Brook, just north of Rt. 22.

The Wallace House - A National & State Historic Site.
The Wallace House is significant as a Revolutionary War Headquarters for General George Washington in 1778 and 1779. It was the largest house in the area during this time, so an agreement was struck with John Wallace to share almost half his house with the General and his staff. Used as the site for planning strategy for the military campaign, the Wallace House was also kept busy hosting dinner parties and entertaining foreign dignitaries. It is maintained today as a New Jersey State Museum. Open Wed.-Sun. 38 Washington Street, one block from Somerset Street in Somerville.

The Meadows Foundation
The Meadows Foundation is headquartered at the Van Wickle House located at 1289 Easton Avenue, Somerset, a section of Franklin Township. The foundation oversees six historic properties. The Meadows Foundation and properties are listed on the New Jersey Historic Registry.

The Van Wickle House was built Dutch-solid by Symen Van Wickle in 1722; it has stood like a rock for over 250 years, and has been farmhouse, colonial showplace, and home for generations of owners. The house and grounds may be rented for weddings, social, business and corporate functions.
The Wyckoff-Garretson House is on land bought by John Wyckoff’s family in 1701. Originally, John built and occupied a log cabin on this South Middlebush Road site. Then, around 1710, he added a house which is probably the oldest township building still standing.
The Franklin Inn was a tavern on the stagecoach route from New York to Philadelphia. The 259 year old building was then known as Annie Van Liew’s Tavern.

The Hageman Farm is a beautifully restored Victorian Farmhouse which fronts on So. Middlebush Road. Downstairs are roomy, high-ceilinged parlors perfect for meetings, dinners, exhibits and musical events, along with a Victorian Gift shop. At the rear are two magnificent, century-old barns, now being restored as a center for the arts and community.
Blackwells Mills is a picturesque old home bordering the Delaware and Raritan Canal at Blackwells Mills. Built in the 1830’s, it was home for a century of bridgetenders.

The Foundation also holds special holiday events, including costumed balls at Victorian estates, and historical plays.

Rockingham Museum
After spending much of the Revolutionary War in and around Somerset County, George Washington revisited in August of 1788. He had returned to attend a meeting of Congress in Princeton to help define the terms of the peace settlement. All suitable accommodations were taken by members of Congress, so General and Mrs. Washington took up residence at the home of Widow Berrien, in a 20-room farm mansion known as Rockingham, named after Charles Watson-Wentworth Rockingham, 2^nd marquis during 1780-82. Washington issued his formal farewells, with his famous "Farewell to the army" address delivered from Rockingham’s stately, white balcony. The General also wrote a special commendation of the Somerset Militia. Open to the public Wed. through Sun. Call for hours. School groups welcome by appointment. Route 518 Kingston-Rocky Hill Road, Somerset, New Jersey. 609-921-8835.

Other Sites of Interest

Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church, 6 East Oak St., Bernards Township, 1839.
Bridgepoint Historic District, includes Mill Pond Road, Mill Pond Stream, Dead Tree Road, Bridgepoint Road and Montgomery Township, 18^th-19^thcenturies.
Cat Tail Brook Bridge, Montgomery Road over the Cat Tail Brook, Hillsborough Township, 1825.
Delaware and Raritan Canal, stretching from Trenton to New Brunswick, paralleling the Millstone and Raritan Rivers, 1834.
Franklin Corners Historic District, Hardscrabble and Childs Roads, Bernards Township, 18^th-19^th centuries.
Gen. John Frelinghuysen House (Raritan Public Library), Somerset Street and Wyckoff Avenue, Raritan Borough, 18^th-19^th century.
John Parker Tavern (Bernardsville Library), 2 Morristown Rd., Bernardsville.
Kirch Ford House, 1 Reinman Road, Warren, 18^th century.
Kingston Mill Historic District, Franklin Township, 18^th and 19^thcenturies. (The four-arch stone bridge, constructed in 1798, is the oldest bridge in the county.)
Lord Stirling Manor Site, 96 Lord Stirling Rd., Bernards Township, 18^th century.
Millstone Historic District, includes Ann Street, Alley Way, Amwell Road, West Street, North and South River Streets, Main Street and Millstone Borough, 19^th century. The blacksmith shop (1740) is open to the public.
Mount Bethel Baptist Meeting House, Mount Bethel and Mountainview Roads, Warren Township, 1761, 1785.
Neshanic Mills Historic District, Main Road and Mill Lane, Hillsborough Township, 19^th century.
Nevius Street Bridge, Raritan Borough/Hillsborough Twp., 1886. Oldest actively used metal truss bridge in the county.
Old Dutch Parsonage, 65 Washington Pl., Somerville Borough, 1751.
Rockingham, Route 518 east of Rocky Hill, Franklin Township, 1783.
Somerset Court House on the Green, Main Street, Somerville, 1909.
The Academy (The Brick Academy-Basking Ridge Classical School), 15 West Oak St., Bernards Township, 19^th century.
Van Veghten House, Van Veghten Road (near Finderne Avenue), Bridgewater Township, 1700’s.
Washington Park Historic District, 19^th century Victorian-era architecture, North Plainfield.