Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage

THE EXPLORER★★★★★a year ago

Last summer, we went on a driving trip around New Jersey to visit the historic sites. One stop was the village of Somerville and visit to the Wallace House. We were there on a week day and the buildings were closed but we could at least look through the windows. The buildings seem to be very well preserved So I wish we could have gone inside. Maybe another trip.

Chris Yoman★★★★★3 years ago

Excellent historic houses to visit. The Wallace house is very well done with furnishings. I do have to say I've been disappointed with their journey through the past days...this year the focus was on bees and trees rather than on the houses themselves. Nothing wrong with them as sidebars but the focus should be on the houses not anything else. Nobody was leading tours so looking around is fine but you learn nothing about the house. Very disappointing that the Old Dutch Parsonage isn't open and is so badly deteriorating. I've been in it in the past and it's a cool old building. If I remember correctly it's actually where Rutgers university started so it holds much significance. I realize funding is always an issue but the state should kick in more funding and I think Rutgers should even take an interest in it as it's part of their history. The tour is free which is excellent as most houses on tours have less and charge. Maybe consider doing special events where you charge a fee for something special related to colonial times. That could help towards your fundraising. All in all I highly recommend a visit. Only reason I didn't give 5 stars was due to the parsonage as well as the history days.

L R★★★★★3 years ago

I didn't get to enter the house, but they had a re-enactment and life story accounting of Phillis Wheatley which was pretty good. If history was taught like this, it would have caught my attention more in school. Parking lot is limited but street parking shouldn't be a problem.

vijay kaushik★★★★★3 months ago

Nice place but they are rebuilding it again.

Erin Nichols★★★★★5 years ago

Sad to see it not maintained as well as it could be. It was closed when we visited but lovely to walk the grounds and read the history. In the back and to the side of the parsonage is a small cemetery.