Museum Layout
-First Floor-
Washington Township Room
The Washington Township Historic Preservation Commission has spent the last 30 years documenting our local history. Learn about the people, stories and events that make up our interesting past including this historic property.
Morris Canal Room
The Morris Canal (1824-1924) provided an outlet to markets for farms, manufactures and mines and so helped to fuel the industrial revolution. The canal linked Pennsylvania’s coal fields with New Jersey’s iron industry and New York’s commercial markets.
The Morris Canal was an engineering marvel and champion mountain climber that passed through our backyard on its 102-mile journey from Phillipsburg to Jersey City. Construction tools and methods were primitive; the pick, shovel and wheelbarrow, with horse and wagon, were the main tools. Find out what made our canal unique in the world.
Our Transportation History Room
Within a short distance of this museum, there was an amazing number of aspects of transportation history; planes, trains, trolleys, canals and an early turnpike. Be sure to read about all this incredible history and enjoy the electric map, historic photos and displays that tell the stories.
-Second Floor-
The Oxford Furnace and Shippen Manor Room
The site of this colonial era iron furnace is located 3 miles from our museum. It was established in 1741, 35 years before the representatives from the original 13 colonies signed the Declaration of Independence. Shippen Manor, the iron master’s home and center for business was constructed in 1754.
Find out how iron was produced from locally mined iron ore and what “first in America” method was used at the Oxford Furnace.
Early Inhabitants: Lenape Culture Room
Lenape tribes had several villages and encampments in Washington Township and nearby area. Their culture was sophisticated and interesting.
View original artifacts and recreations that supported Lenape life. Learn how they used natural materials to make tools and instruments that helped them survive.
The Organ and Piano Capital of the World Room
Tens of thousands of high-quality organs and pianos were produced in Washington in the late 19th and early 20th century. They were shipped all around the world and United States. Over the years, numerous companies had organ/piano businesses in Washington.
Take a look at the beautiful organs and piano at the front door that were made less than 2 miles from here in Washington, NJ.
More Amazing History Room
Find out how America’s consumer testing and reporting movement started 1 mile from here.
Learn about Thomas Edison establishing a huge cement company 4.5 miles from here making all the cement for the original Yankee Stadium.
Within 2 miles from here Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama and Jean Shepard (A Christmas Story) helped to add to the story of our amazing history.