Step inside the third-oldest Capitol building in the United States and explore where New Jersey’s leaders have shaped history since 1792. From soaring architecture and vibrant art to behind-the-scenes insights into how laws are made, every tour brings the State House’s stories to life.
Place Category: General
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Tulpehaking Nature Center
Tulpehaking Nature Center is the gateway to exploring the Abbott Marshlands, with rotating exhibits and public programs that feature the nature and archaeology of this wonderful place, coordinated with hands-on activities, live turtles and snakes, artifacts on display, and the work of local artists inspired by nature. Open Wednesday-Saturdays 10am-4pm and Sundays 1-4pm. Admission to the nature center is free.
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Ellarslie Mansion
Though Ellarslie Mansion was built in 1848—decades after the Revolutionary War—it now serves as the Trenton City Museum and plays a key role in preserving the city’s Revolutionary heritage. Inside, visitors can explore exhibits that highlight Trenton’s pivotal role in the war, including the Battles of Trenton, local patriot leadership, and the city’s transformation during the fight for independence. As the cultural heart of Cadwalader Park, Ellarslie connects modern-day audiences with the spirit of 1776 through art, artifacts, and immersive storytelling rooted in Trenton’s Revolutionary past.
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Morven Museum & Garden
Morven was once the home of Richard Stockton, a New Jersey signer of the Declaration of Independence who was imprisoned by the British for his patriotism. The mansion reflects both the prosperity and the sacrifice of America’s Revolutionary-era elite. Today, the museum showcases exhibits on the Revolutionary period and beyond, surrounded by beautifully restored gardens once enjoyed by New Jersey’s founding families.
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Johnson Ferry House
Situated within the area of Washington’s daring Delaware River crossing, the Johnson Ferry House played a quiet yet vital role in one of the Revolution’s most defining moments. Believed to have sheltered troops or stored supplies on that frigid December night in 1776, the house stands as a tangible link to the strategy and sacrifice behind the surprise attack on Trenton. Today, its preserved colonial architecture and period furnishings immerse visitors in the tense, determined atmosphere of that pivotal turning point in America’s fight for independence.
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Isaac Watson Home
Built in 1708 by Isaac Watson, the Isaac Watson House is believed to be the oldest home in Mercer County and a rare survivor from the early 18th century. Though not the site of direct conflict, its preservation offers a window into colonial life and the resilience of those who lived through the Revolutionary era. Today, it serves as the headquarters of the New Jersey Daughters of the American Revolution, continuing its legacy as a steward of New Jersey’s history.
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Howell Living History Farm
Howell Living History Farm, located in Hopewell Township, NJ, is a working farm that authentically recreates rural life from the late 18th to early 19th centuries. While its educational programs focus on agriculture around the year 1900, the land itself lies within a region deeply involved in the Revolutionary War. Farms like Howell’s were vital to sustaining the Continental Army—supplying food, materials, and horses—and embody the essential role agrarian communities played in the fight for independence. Though not the site of a specific battle, Howell Farm preserves the everyday experiences of farmers and families who endured wartime sacrifice and uncertainty, offering a powerful glimpse into how local life fueled the Revolution behind the scenes.
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First Presbyterian Church of Trenton
Founded in 1712, this church served as a spiritual cornerstone for Trenton’s early settlers during the colonial era. Throughout the Revolutionary War, it became a vital gathering place where patriots united to organize efforts in support of independence. Its enduring presence stands today as a powerful reminder of faith, resilience, and the birth of the United States.
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Drumthwacket
Drumthwacket, now the official residence of the Governor of New Jersey, originated as an 18th-century colonial farmhouse once owned by Charles Smith Olden, whose family lived through the Revolutionary War. The estate embodies the architecture, landownership, and political influence of New Jersey’s Revolutionary-era elite. Today, its preserved grounds and historic structure provide a window into the lives of colonial patriots and the state’s early leaders.
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Clarke House Museum
Thomas Clarke acquired 200 acres from his older brother, William, and built this home in 1772. He lived here with his sisters, Sarah and Hannah, and an enslaved woman named Susannah. During the Battle of Princeton, the Clarke House was converted into a field hospital where both American and British soldiers received care — a poignant reminder of the war’s human cost. Today, the home displays period furnishings and authentic medical instruments from the Revolutionary era, offering a powerful glimpse into the realities of wartime medicine.
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Bainbridge House
Built in 1766, Bainbridge House stands as one of Princeton’s oldest and most historically significant landmarks. During the Revolutionary War, it served both civic and residential roles before becoming the birthplace of Commodore William Bainbridge, a celebrated naval hero of the early American republic. Today, the house is home to the Historical Society of Princeton, continuing its legacy as a cornerstone for preserving and sharing the town’s Revolutionary heritage.
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Alexander Douglass House
Built around 1760, this historic home once hosted General George Washington and his officers as they planned the counterattack leading to the Second Battle of Trenton. Its close proximity to the Assunpink Creek battlefield makes it a key site in the story of Washington’s strategic brilliance. Today, the preserved home invites visitors to step into the heart of Revolutionary-era decision-making.