Bridgeton Historic District

Bridgeton-Cumberland Tourist Association
50 East Broad St.
Bridgeton, NJ 08302
(856) 451-4802 • 455-3230
Internet: http://cityofbridgeton.com/TnR.htm

New Jersey's largest historic district, Bridgeton offers visitors a chance to walk through Colonial, Federalist, and Victorian history. Richard Hancock began this settlement when he built a sawmill and workmen's houses here in 1686. In 1716 a bridge was built across the Cohansey River and the settlement became known as Chansey Bridge.

By the time of the Revolution, Bridgetown, as it was then known, had 200 inhabitants. Potter's Tavern is among the structures that remain from those days. And by 1838 the population had expanded to 2387, and with 475 buildings Bridgeton offered its residents a full range of products and services, needing to import little.

Today the city is committed to restoring its heritage, and visitors can enjoy this unique environment. As well as touring the town and its more than 2,000 buildings in their old-world setting, visitors can tour a number of small museums:

Potter's Tavern (856) 453-2180
Once the popular retreat of citizens who called for independence, this historic landmark is also the home of New Jersey's first newspaper, The Plain Dealer. Hours: Sat.urday and Sunday, 1 - 5pm. Admission: $1.00 per person.

Bridgeton Hall of Fame All Sports Museum (856) 451-7300
Features memorabilia of many famous professional and amateur athletes such as Rocky Graziano, "King of Softball," Eddie Feigner, Willie Mays' Golden Glove, Bernice Gera (first female umpire), and the Cincinnati Reds Bat Collection. Hours: Spring-Summer Tues. - Sat. 10 - 3 (closed 12 - 1), Fall-Winter Mon. - Fri. 10 - 3 (closed 12 - 1). Admission: FREE.

Nail Mill Museum (856) 455-4100
Once the office of the Cumberland Nail and Iron Co., this museum includes a collection of artifacts from the early days of the Industrial Revolution. Hours: Tues. - Fri. 10:30 - 3:30, Sat. & Sun. 11 - 4. Admission: FREE.

George Woodruff Indian Museum (856) 451-2620
Contains more than 20,000 artifacts related to the Lenni-Lenape Tribe that inhabited this region for many centuries. One of the largest and finest collections of its type. Hours: Mon. - Sat. 1 - 4 . (closed Sat. June - Aug.). Admission: FREE.

New Sweden Farmstead Museum

Bridgeton is also home to the Cohanzik Zoo and Sunset Lake Amphitheatre, which offers children's and family productions. Throughout the year, Bridgeton offers a number of special events such as concerts and celebrations.

Individuals and families can tour Bridgeton for free, using a self-guided pamphlet. An audio tour is available for a small fee. Groups of any age (at least 25 people) can take a Guided Tour which includes several of the above sites. Cost is $6.50 per person for up to 35 people, and $5.50 for 35 - 50. Lunch can be taken at one of several fine restaurants or picnic sites.