Let me just say first of all - I support 1st Amendment rights.
So, while I believe programs such as The Sopranos (HBO), Jersey Shore (MTV), and The Real Housewives of New Jersey (Bravo) can and should be produced, they definitely depict New Jersey in a rather unflattering light, especially given the State's venerable history.
New Jersey dates back to the early 1500s.
Its involvement as a prime location for which Patriots fought valiantly during the American Revolution, as well as the fact that it is one of the original Colonies in America, are what make New Jersey an extremely important state in the birth of our Nation.
Snooki, Jwoww!, and Tony may reign supreme on the airwaves, but they are not much more than debris on the Atlantic City Boardwalk when compared to the rich history of their home state.
When I started to research New Jersey and to absorb its significance to American history, I was struck by the many historical societies available in the state, as well as the plethora of historical locations that are open to the public - museums, battlegrounds, farms, gardens, mills, churches, cemeteries, Underground Railroad stops, and a number of 18th and 19th century homes.
I discovered that several of these homes are owned or maintained by the New Jersey State Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NJDAR), which is part of the National Society DAR (NSDAR).
In some cases, NJDAR owns the properties; in others, individual chapters within NJDAR are the owners and/or curators.
Following its passion for historic preservation, the NJDAR is headquartered in the Watson House, which was built in 1708 by Isaac Watson, the son of Quakers who came to this country from England in 1684.
The NJDAR restored the house in 1964, as part of the New Jersey Tercentenary Celebration.
Located in Hamilton, the Watson house is the oldest house in Mercer County.
It is open to the public for docent-guided tours on certain Sundays, during specific months.
Another of New Jersey's famous homes is the Schuyler-Hamilton House Museum, which was built by Jabez Campfield in 1760 in Morristown.
Dr.
John Cochran, the Surgeon General of the Continental Army and personal physician of George Washington, was quartered in the house during 1779 and 1780.
Cochran's wife's niece, Betsy Schuyler, was courted by Alexander Hamilton in the residence.
Morristown Chapter of the NJDAR owns and maintains the Schuyler-Hamilton House.
The museum is open on Sunday afternoons; tours may be made by appointment.
The DAR Van Bunschooten House was built in 1787 in Wantage and served as the manse for the Reverend Elias Van Bunschooten, a Dutch Reformed Minister.
In 1971 a DAR member donated the house to the Chinkchewunska Chapter (a Native American word for "town on the side of a hill"), which set about to restore, refurbish, and redecorate the home.
The house and outbuildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Sites and Places.
The Bunschooten Museum is open on certain days between May and October.
The James and Ann Whitall House is located on the Delaware River in northern Gloucester County.
The Whitall family built the house in 1748 and lived there for 114 years.
During the Revolution, the house was converted into a hospital where Ann Whitall tended wounded soldiers (from both sides) after the 1777 Continental victory at the Battle of Red Bank.
A DAR chapter was named for Ann Whitall; it along with the Red Bank Chapter donated antiques, and continues to maintain rooms in the house and serve as docents.
Last, but not least, the Buccleuch Mansion (also known as the White House Farm) was built around 1740 by Anthony White, and was occupied by the British during the war, due to its owners' sentiments.
Following the Revolution, Colonel Charles Stewart owned the house and played host to such prominent visitors as George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, General Kosciusko, General Gates, and John Hancock.
Jersey Blue Chapter maintains the interior and furnishings of the Museum.
In addition to maintaining the furnishing of the Buccleuch Mansion, Jersey Blue Chapter is assisting the New Brunswick Free Public Library to locate descendants of the five New Jersey signers of the Declaration of Independence: Abraham Clark, Francis Hopkinson, John Witherspoon, John Hart, and Richard Stockton.
For those who believe they are related to one of the five signers, the Jersey Blue Chapter has offered to assist with their research and to help complete the required paperwork to join DAR and Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR) or Sons of the Revolution (SR), if they wish.
For those of you who are interested in tracing your lineage to a Revolutionary War Patriot (visit the NJDAR site), or just want to know more about your family with New Jersey ties, here is a list of research resources to help you start the process.
While there are many more historical societies in New Jersey, I selected ones that include one or more research resources such as libraries, archives, genealogies, local histories, ledgers, and maps, etc.
Atlantic County Historical Society Avalon Museum and Historical Society Beavertown Historical Society Borough of Kinnelon Historical Commission Denville Historical Society and Museum Discover New Jersey History (online pamphlet) Egg Harbor Historical Society Ellis Island Friends Meeting House and Cemetery Association of Randolph Township Gloucester County Historical Society in Woodbury Jewish Historical Society of Metrowest Margate Historical Society Monmouth County Historical Association Montville Historical Society Museum Newark Public Library New Jersey Cemetery Records New Jersey Historical Society New Jersey Historical Commission New Jersey State Archives Ocean County Historical Society Museum Sussex County Historical Society Vital Records in New Jersey Warren County Historical Society Museum