East Jersey Old Towne, a fine collection of early American architecture and history

Dr. Joseph Kler loved American history with a passion and was fired with the spirit of preserving the tangible aspects of our country's past so that future generations would have a visual image of their heritage. Dr. Kler's dream was to develop a village of structures which reflected the diverse history of central New Jersey.

In 1971, East Jersey Olde Towne was incorporated as a non-profit organization, and Dr. Kler's vision became a reality. Located on River Road in Piscataway, this town is one of the largest collections of original and replica structures in the state. Situated on 12 acres of Johnson Park, Olde Towne is comprised of 15 structures, many of which were transported from their original sites in New Jersey.

The Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission assumed responsibility of the Towne in May of 1989, working in tandem with the non-profit to chart the village's future. What you will see on the following pages are some insights into the buildings and their heritage.

The pictures below will give you some idea of what the Town looks like today, however pictures cannot do justice to what the society has done here. It is truly a remarkable site to visit. Take the tour, whatever it takes. Our guide kept us interested for the whole 2 hours we attended. There is a lot of history behind these old homes and buildings.

Vanderveer House is named after Cornelis Janse Vanderveer, an emigrant from Alkamaar,Holland. There is a superb herb garden growing in the back yard of this house.

	New Brunswick Barracks During the winters of 1756 and 1757, colonists were required to house British troops. Through petitions to the colonial assembly, citizens objected to the inconvenience and personal cost of housing troops. www.lincolnbittner.com/new_brunswick_barracks.html
	Indian Queen Tavern The Indian Queen Tavern stood at its waterfront location on the Northwest corner of Albany and Water Streets in New Brunswick for over 200 years www.lincolnbittner.com/indian_queen_tavern.html
	Williamson Wheelwright Shop The Williamson Wheelwright shop was originally located along the busy Brunswick-Princeton Turnpike, now Route 27, in Franklin Township. The building received its name from the Williamson family ... www.lincolnbittner.com/williamson_wheelwright_shop.html
	Six Mile Run House The Six Mile Run House represents a combination vernacular architecture from both the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Originally located on the busy New Brunswick to Princetn turnpike, the house was moved to Old Towne in 1979. www.lincolnbittner.com/six_mile_run_house.html
	Church of the Three Mile Run For most of its fifty year history, the Church at Three Mile Run was surrounded in controversy. What began as a gathering of settlers for religious worship, soon became part of the growing changes in attitudes and beliefs that altered religion in America. www.lincolnbittner.com/church_of_the_three_mile_run.html
	Jeremiah Dunn House The Jeremiah Dunn House is an important contribution to East Jersey Old Towne, representing both a family residence, common to the area during the 18th and 19th centuries, and a family of significant local ad state influence. www.lincolnbittner.com/dunn_houes.html
	Runyon House The Runyon House represents the wealth and changing needs of Piscataway's settling families. A typical 18th century Middlesex County home of an established family, it originally stood at 175 Possumtown Road www.lincolnbittner.com/runyon_house.html
	Fitzrandolph House The Fitzrandolph House, located in East Jersey Old Towne, is typical of a very early Piscataway farmhouse. It represents some of the first small shelters built during the mid-1700's on the highlands surrounding the Raritan River... www.lincolnbittner.com/fitzrandolph_house.html