Historic Sites

Proprietary House
Proprietary House

Proprietary House  Located in Perth Amboy at 149 Kearny Ave, Proprietary House is a state owned Revolutionary War site. It is the last-standing mansion of a royal governor from the original 13 colonies, where the last royal governor William Franklin (son of Benjamin Franklin) was arrested in June 1776. Proprietary House holds re-enactments and tours and hosts live music events. The long history of the house is a fascinating story to hear on a tour. The site was often featured on the popular program Ghost Hunters and annually the Proprietary House Association hosts a haunted tour. Proprietary House is on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and National Register of Historic Places. Proprietary House was recently in the new Ken Burns documentary on Benjamin Franklin. The Proprietary House historic restoration was recently profiled in Architect Magazine. Check out www.theproprietaryhouse.org

Perth Amboy Ferry Slip

Perth Amboy Ferry Slip  The Perth Amboy Ferry Slip at 300 Front St has been used as a venue for music, special events and weddings. There is a cozy Ferry Slip Museum with a great exhibit. The Ferry Slip is on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and National Register of Historic Places. Ferry service on the site dates back to 1684 and regular ferry service crossing the Arthur Kill lasted from 1709 to 1963.

Perth Amboy City Hall

Perth Amboy City Hall  Perth Amboy City Hall is the oldest operating municipal building in the country located at 260 High St. The Perth Amboy City Hall is on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and National Register of Historic Places. In 1789, Perth Amboy was the State Capital and City Hall is where New Jersey ratified the Bill of Rights, becoming the first state to do so.

Surveyor General’s Museum- Next to City Hall at 260 High St, this museum celebrates the historical and archaeological heritage of Perth Amboy,  the first incorporated municipality in New Jersey. The museum has hosted art and cultural events. The Surveyor General’s Museum is on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and National Register of Historic Places.

Perth Amboy Train Station

Perth Amboy Train Station– The Perth Amboy Train Station was built in 1927 and is on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places. The Perth Amboy Train Station is going through a $45.5 million renovated. Gov Murphy said the architectural significance of the 95 year old Perth Amboy Train Station structure will be respected, “honoring the stations history while looking towards the future.” The Perth Amboy Train Station is at 249 Smith St, Perth Amboy, NJ

Perth Amboy Public Library

Perth Amboy Public Library  The Perth Amboy Public Library, built in 1903, is a Carnegie Library located at 196 Jefferson St in Perth Amboy, NJ. It is eligible for designation for the state and national registers of historic places but has not yet been listed.

Raritan Yacht Club– One of the oldest yacht clubs in the country founded in 1865 at 160 Water St on Raritan Bay in Perth Amboy, NJ. The club hosts the annual Red Grant Regatta which is going into its 77th year. The Raritan Yacht Club hosts Wednesday Race Nights with many beautiful sailboats out on Raritan Bay.

St Peter’s Church and Cemetery This pre-revoluionary war church was founded in 1698 at 188 Rector St. It is the oldest Episcopal parish in New Jersey and contains the oldest extant gravestone in New Jersey.  Famous Perth Amboy resident Thomas Mundy Peterson is buried in the church cemetary. St Peter’s Church is on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places. 183 Rector Street, Perth Amboy NJ 08861

Middle Passage Marker– Located on Front St on the Waterfront next to the Ferry Slip, Perth Amboy hosts a historic Middle Passage Port Marker for the City’s designation as a “Site of Memory” associated with the Slave Trade. The marker honors the lives of African ancestors and their descendants who were enslaved in NJ. Perth Amboy is one of 52 locations across the continental US and one of 2 sites in NJ identified as being a Middle Passage port of entry.

Historic Markers along the Waterfront– You can learn about the history of Perth Amboy at stops along the waterfront.

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