Hightstown-East Windsor Historical Society

06/17/2026

The Peddie Lake pedestrian bridge also depicts the John Bull locomotive. The John Bull, was the first passenger locomotive to operate in New Jersey and the third in the United States.

The steam-powered engine made its inaugural run from Bordentown on November 12, 1831, along the Camden & Amboy Railroad. The line was one of the nation’s earliest railroad corridors and passed through Hightstown. The John Bull was built in England, disassembled and transported by ship to NJ where it was reassembled. It ran for 35 years at a speed of 25- 30 miles per hour. The John Bull currently rests in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC ( https://www.si.edu/object/steam-locomotive-john-bull%3Anmah_841968) .

The C&A railway used an early form of rail-tie that was carved from stone or marble and called a “sleeper.” You can see rails and sleeper stones next to the Ely House Museum (164 North Main Street).

06/17/2026

Did you know that you can also follow us on Instagram !

06/15/2026

Did you know you can see Hightstown History on the Peddie Lake pedestrian bridge? In addition to the H for Hightstown you can find the Hight Family cabin. Hightstown's origins are traditionally traced to 1721, when John and Mary Hight acquired approximately 3,000 acres from the British Crown. They established a homestead that included a log cabin and gristmill

06/12/2026

Excited to see the new park design includes tying in the John Bull and the importance of the railroad to Hightstown. The Society’s Camden Amboy Freight station (built in 1869) has many artifacts related to the John Bull. Learn more about the railroad on our website - hewhs.com .

Aug 2026: Hightstown’s Dawes Park (Railroad Ave) gets $505K train-themed playground, ADA paths & drainage fix. Click for project details!

06/02/2026

Open House this Sunday June 7th from 1-3pm. Come visit the Ely House in Hightstown and say hello to George and Martha!

The Hightstown East Windsor Historical Society recently examined its portraits of George and Martha Washington, donated through the estate of Catherine Curtis (1907–1980). Although similar to the well‑known 1796 portraits by Gilbert Stuart, these works are 19th‑century chromolithographs produced by Cincinnati printer Elijah C. Middleton in 1861 and 1863. Chromolithography was an early color‑printing method that allowed affordable reproductions of popular images. Curtis, a friend of longtime Hightstown resident Sarah Brooks Smith, bequeathed the portraits to the Society. They are now displayed at the Ely House in recognition of America’s 250th anniversary.

05/24/2026

Going to be at the Memorial Day Parade stop by the Ely House and Freight Station 9-11am.

🇺🇸🇺🇸Hightstown Residents and Friends!

This Monday will be hosting its 104th Annual Hightstown Memorial Day Parade. 🥁

The parade will begin at 9am at the GNR Elementary School on Stockton Street and make its way through our downtown and quaint neighborhoods. (See map)
A grandstand will be featured downtown on Main Street and Franklin.

Grab some chairs and find a spot along the parade route to see the 104th Hightstown Memorial Day Parade 🇺🇸

After the parade, the Hightstown VFW 5700 welcomes everyone to attend their Memorial Day Picnic!

For a complete look at the event program, please visit hightstownborough.org

05/02/2026

A nice mention of our town and the HIghtstown East Windsor Historical Society.

You'll need a second trip just to blink. This New Jersey town has secrets.

03/07/2026

In our 250 years, New Jersey created three constitutions. Learn more about our state history through the constitutional eras.

01/24/2026

Snow day!

01/22/2026