The Miller-Cory House (1740)
Nestled on the leafy outskirts of Westfield, the Miller-Cory House stands as a testament to pre-Revolutionary life. Built by Samuel Miller in 1740, this preserved farmhouse is named after its first two owners, Miller and Joseph Cory. It’s now a living museum, where visitors can experience 18th-century farm life through period furniture, cooking demonstrations, and well-curated exhibits. The house’s clapboard exterior and stone foundation transport visitors to a time when Union County was largely agrarian, offering a tangible connection to the Colonial era.
The Drake House Museum (1746)
The Drake House in Plainfield is famous not just for its architecture but also for its role during the Revolutionary War. George Washington used this house as his headquarters in 1777, making it a site of great historical significance. With its Georgian-style architecture and period antiques, the Drake House Museum now serves as a repository of local history. Each room is a chapter in a story, telling of the area’s development from a colonial settlement to a modern community.
Liberty Hall (1772)
Kean University is the steward of Liberty Hall, a 50-room mansion in Union that chronicles 240 years of American history. Built just before the American Revolution by New Jersey’s first governor, William Livingston, the mansion has witnessed America’s journey from colonial times to the 21st century. Its occupants have included signers of the Constitution and Alexander Hamilton’s children. The gardens are a living palette of history, with plantings that date back to the country’s beginnings.
Oswald J. Nitschke House (1880)
Kenilworth’s Oswald J. Nitschke House stands as a vibrant representation of late 19th-century life. This restored Victorian Italianate home, built by town founder Oswald Nitschke, now operates as a “living history” museum and cultural arts center. The Nitschke House celebrates not only the architecture of the period but also the spirit of innovation and community that characterized the era.
The Reeve History & Cultural Resource Center (1883)
In Westfield, the Reeve History & Cultural Resource Center, which began its story as a family home in 1883, now serves as a hub for local history and cultural activities. It showcases a well-preserved Victorian interior, complete with original woodwork, stained glass, and furnishings that evoke the Gilded Age’s opulence and attention to detail.
Crane-Phillips House Museum (1845)
This museum is located in Cranford and is a prime example of Federal-style architecture. It was built in 1845 and has been restored to its original condition. Visitors can take a guided tour of the house and learn about the history of the area
Caldwell Parsonage (1782)
The Caldwell Parsonage in Union, built in 1782, tells a tragic tale from the Revolutionary War. The original parsonage was burned down by Loyalists, and Rev. James Caldwell’s wife, Hannah, was killed by British soldiers in the home. Caldwell himself was later killed by an American sentry. The house now operates as a historical museum, providing visitors with a poignant glimpse into the past
Deacon Andrew Hetfield House (1760)
Mountainside is home to the Deacon Andrew Hetfield House, also known as Hetfield House or the Dutch Oven House, built around 1763. It has been moved twice due to infrastructure developments but remains a well-preserved example of a Georgian residence
The Woodruff House (1722)
Woodruff House in Hillside, constructed around 1735, offers a historical narrative spanning over two centuries. It resides on land from the original Elizabethtown Land Grants of 1664 and has seen generations of the Woodruff family within its walls. Despite debates over which part of the house is the oldest, it’s agreed that the western section, built on brick and exterior field stone, likely dates back to around 1735. The house is listed on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places
