Hightstown-East Windsor Historical Society

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Hightstown-East Windsor Historical Society

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The mission of the Hightstown-East Windsor Historical Society is to: Educate the public about the history of Hightstown and East Windsor Township.

Preserve and share photos, objects, publications, and the Historical Ely House. Monthly meetings are held the second Monday of each month at the headquarters of the Society, Ely House, 164 North Main Street, Hightstown.

11/04/2026

Featured home: Christmas Candlelight House Tour
Sunday, December 13, 3:00-6:00 p.m.

With the Hightstown-East Windsor Historical Society’s Candlelight House Tour just around the corner, we’re sharing a preview of one of the beautiful homes featured on our tour.

Located at 408 South Main Street, this home is a lovely example of the Arts and Crafts and Prairie styles of architecture. Popular in the early 20th century, Arts and Crafts homes are known for their simple stucco exteriors, open interior plans, and rich stained woodwork.

Built in 1915 for Charles Mason, this home has an interesting connection to its neighbor, Forman Updike, who built the house next door. They were partners in the coal business, Mason & Updike, located on Mercer Street, and their wives were sisters.

Come explore this home and many others at the Christmas Candlelight House Tour on Sunday, December 13, 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Purchase tickets at The First Baptist Church of Hightstown from 2:30-4:00 p.m. on the day of the tour. The event will take place rain, snow, or shine. $30 per person (day-of sales only; cash or checks). $10 for children under 12.

We look forward to welcoming you for a festive afternoon of beautiful homes, local history, and holiday spirit! For more information, please email [email protected].

11/02/2026

Halloween Kids’ Coloring Contest Winners Announced!

The Hightstown-East Windsor Historical Society was delighted to recognize the winners of its first-ever Halloween Kids’ Coloring Contest at a November 1 awards ceremony.

We were thrilled to receive more than 40 entries! Many thanks to our Mercer County library partners – the Hightstown, Hickory Corner, and Twin Rivers branches -- for helping distribute and collect contest entries and making our inaugural contest a success.

Congratulations to our First Place and Runners-Up winners in each age category!
Ages 3-5
• Caroline Smith, First Place
• Vanessa Guiracocha, Runner-Up
Ages 6-8
• Sienna Illuminate, First Place
• Anaya Coles, Runner-Up
Ages 9-11
• Natalie Kassim, First Place
• Parnika Singh, Runner-Up

Winners received certificates of achievement and prizes in recognition of their creativity and artistic talent.

Pictured below are five of our six winners with their entries. From left: Vanessa Guiracocha, Anaya Coles, Parnika Singh, Sienna Illuminate, and Caroline Smith. Missing from the photo: Natalie Kassim.

It was a heartwarming occasion celebrating the young artists, their families, and everyone who helped make this first contest such a success. Congratulations to all!

11/01/2026

Did you know Trenton was once the nation's capital?

On Nov. 1, 1784, the Continental Congress started meeting at the French Arms Tavern in Trenton and stayed until Dec. 24 before moving on to New York City. Jersey was running the country for almost two months!

https://www.newjerseyalmanac.com/njhistorynovember.html

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10/27/2026

You don't want to miss this month's Open House! Be sure to move your clock back one hour.
We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, November 1st from 1-3 pm .

10/26/2026

SAVE THE DATE! Join the Hightstown-East Windsor Historical Society's Christmas Candlelight House Tour on Sunday, December 13, 2026, from 3-6 PM.

10/22/2026

We're pleased to announce a collaboration between the Lawrence Historical Society and the Hightstown-East Windsor Historical Society for a special presentation on "Colonial Bank Notes." Join HEWHS member A. Chris Gould for a lively, illustrated talk exploring the history of colonial notes and how they helped facilitate trade in early America.

We hope you'll join us on Sunday, November 15th at the Brearley House in Lawrence Township. Register at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/colonial-bank-note-talk-tickets-2003641395350?aff=oddtdtcreator

10/17/2026

Yesterday afternoon, more than 35 members of the Hightstown-East Windsor Historical Society, The Friday Club, and the public gathered to hear author Nancy B. Kennedy’s presentation, “This Sacred Soil: The Surprising Stories of Revolutionary Women,” as part of the Society’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
Inspired by Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s words, “On the sacred soil of New Jersey,” the presentation explored New Jersey’s unique voting history from 1776 to 1807, when its Constitution allowed “all inhabitants” of the colony to vote, including some women and free Black people. It also traced the fight for women’s suffrage, culminating in the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920.
The program celebrated the courage and patriotism of women who contributed to the American Revolution, including New Jersey women whom George Washington praised as among the nation’s most devoted patriots.
Thank you to Nancy B. Kennedy for sharing these fascinating stories! This program was co-sponsored by the Hightstown-East Windsor Historical Society and The Friday Club. Friday Club of Hightstown

10/14/2026

SOLD OUT! A big thank-you to everyone who registered for Nancy B. Kennedy’s presentation, “This Sacred Soil: The Surprising Stories of Revolutionary Women.”
We’re thrilled by the enthusiastic response and look forward to welcoming our guests on Friday, October 16, at 3:30 pm at the Hightstown-East Windsor Historical Society.
We look forward to seeing you there! The Friday Club of Hightstown

10/14/2026

It is never to early to mark your calendar for the next Hightstown-East Windsor Historical Society's Open House on Sunday November 1st. Our docents are ready to guide you through Ely house and the Freight Station exhibits.

10/04/2026

What a fabulous day for the Hightstown Harvest Festival! Thank you to everyone who stopped by our table to learn more about the Society, the history of Hightstown - East Windsor and to guess the name of the three museum items on display. We stumped everyone when it came to the rug mill boat loom shuttle - although boat was a top guess. Many table visitors were able to guess the boot jack and the torch. Can't wait to stump everyone at next year's Harvest Fest. Thanks and our Society volunteers who made the day a success.

Address

164 N Main Street
Hightstown, NJ
08520

Telephone

+16093719580

Website

https://www.hewhistoricalsociety.org/

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