Middlesex County Revolutionary War site eyed for America's 250th birthday
PERTH AMBOY – When the U.S. marks its 250th birthday in 2026, local and state officials want the Proprietary House to play a key role in the celebration.
Local officials say the Georgian mansion at 149 Kearny Ave. is the last-standing mansion of a royal governor among the 13 colonies. The site is well maintained and showcases late 18th century living as the home of a loyalist royal governor, William Franklin, from 1764 to 1766.
“The historical significance of Perth Amboy during the Revolutionary War rivals any city in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania or Virginia,” said Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin. “As America prepares for celebrations in 2026, it is vital that Perth Amboy’s history play an integral role, as well as a top tourism site.”
Coughlin and fellow 19th District Democratic lawmakers, state Sen. Joe Vitale and Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez, led the charge for state funding to support needed renovations at the Proprietary House and secured $3 million in the state's fiscal 2019 budget to support the building’s rehabilitation.
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“Revolution NJ,” through the nonprofit Crossroads of the American Revolution, was established in 2018 as the state's planning entity for the upcoming anniversary. The group is now conducting planning studies to establish New Jersey as a major Revolutionary War Heritage Tourism destination. Investments in state-owned Revolutionary War sites over the next few years are aimed at creating eight to 12 visitor sites.
“Urban areas are typically overlooked for heritage tourism potential but are precisely the types of places that stand to benefit enormously,” Lopez said. “We need more grants to make the Proprietary House ready to accommodate many more visitors, while further boosting its historical and heritage identity in Middlesex County.”
Vitale said about 6 percent of New Jersey’s tourism dollars are generated from heritage tourism, amounting to just under $400 million in state and local tax revenues and $3 billion in economic impact. He said that's about half of the average activity generated by heritage tourism nationally.
During the Revolutionary War, the Proprietary House was occupied by both Patriot and British troops and, for a time, served as headquarters for both American Gen. Hugh Mercer and British Gen. Sir William Howe.
After the war, Proprietary House was abandoned, vandalized and nearly destroyed by fire. The building also served as a hotel, private home, run-down boarding house and now a museum, operated by the nonprofit Proprietary House Association. It is open for guided tours, lectures, concerts, storytelling, ghost tours and teas, as well as for weddings, dinners, meetings and luncheons.
The ground and first floors of the original mansion are leased to the association, charged with raising funds for programs, interpretation and restoration.
Email: srussell@gannettnj.com
Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Perth Amboy NJ Revolutionary War site eyed for USA's 250th birthday
