new jersey history tour

THE 10 BEST New Jersey Historical & Heritage Tours

Historical & heritage tours in new jersey.

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1. 1 Day Tour to Philadelphia and Hershey's Chocolate World

2. Grand Lighthouse Tour from Cape May

3. Go City: Philadelphia All-Inclusive Pass with 30+ Attractions

4. Private Central Park Pedicab Tour

5. 5 Star Shameless Name Dropping Walking Tour of Campus & Einstein's Neighborhood

6. Private Walking Tour of Hoboken, Only Half a Mile from Manhattan!

7. Atlantic City Ghosts: Banshees of the Boardwalk

8. 7-Day Philadelphia, D.C, Niagara Falls, Boston Tour from New York

9. BEST Washington D.C.& Philadelphia 2-Day Tour from New York City

10. New York and Jersey City on Private Tour American Revolution

11. Washington D.C. ,Niagara Falls 5-Day Tour from New York

12. 8-day Tour to Visit Nine Top Schools in the East Coast from NYC

13. Private Night in New York

14. Historical Walking Tour in Mount Holly

15. Princeton Walking Tour of Campus & Mansions - hidden history locals don't know!

16. Wild West Heist Interactive Escape Room in Northfield, New Jersey

17. The Philadelphia Sightseeing Day Pass: 35+ Historic Attractions & Tours

18. Jog the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and Enjoy Historic Sightseeing

19. New York City Downtown & Hoboken NJ Walking Tour - Two Cities Two States

20. Statue of Liberty Ferry & 9/11 Museum Ticket From New Jersey Shared Tour

21. Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City 7-day Tour

22. See NYC Across the Hudson from NJ

23. Trenton Scavenger Hunt: Patriots & Politics

24. Half Day New York City Private Tour

25. Private 4Days Taj Mahal Tour from NewYork Including Visa & Flight

26. New York, Washington D.C., Niagara Falls 6-Day Tour from NY

What travelers are saying.

These eight stately New Jersey mansions let the public play house

• The mansions' owners range from state governors to African kings.
• Public tours or open houses are typically available at least once per month.

New Jersey has no shortage of stately manors, but few let the public trample through.

Owned by the state, education centers and nonprofits, the ones that do often come steeped in history. From summer retreats to governor’s mansions, these manors tell the story of the political and industrial forces that shaped their creation and renovation.

The official residence of the governor of New Jersey, Drumthwacket has a large central portico with six frontal columns, reminiscent of the White House.

The Greek revival home with the silly-sounding name was built by Charles Smith Olden in 1835 and housed its first governor when Olden himself took office in 1860. Officially, Drumthwacket has been the official governor's residence only since the 1980s, though it has been owned by the state since 1966.

Drumthwacket was owned and upgraded around the turn of the 20th century by industrialist and banker Moses Taylor Pyne, a Princeton University graduate and trustee. The upgrade included the construction of the Italianate gardens. Now restored, the terraced landscape draws many to the grounds today.

Go: The home itself is open most Wednesdays from September through July for guided tours; 354 Stockton St., Princeton;  drumthwacket.org/visit .

The headquarters of the Passaic County Historical Society, Lambert Castle is open for midday tours from Wednesdays to Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

The stone-clad, Victorian-era castle was built in 1892 on 53 acres by Catholina Lambert. The onetime president of the Silk Association of America, Lambert built and owned Paterson’s Dexter Mill, and his wealth grew off the mill’s government contracts.

Lambert was also an art lover. He expanded the mansion in 1896 by adding a 150-foot-long art gallery that he opened to the public on Saturdays starting in 1900. (The gallery is no longer there.)

Lambert’s son sold the site to the city of Paterson in 1925, two years after his father's death. The city restored the four-story structure in 2000. Another restoration project is in the works , as the building has some water damage to interior plaster and exterior sandstone. 

Go: The castle hosts a holiday boutique  from early November through early December. This year is the 31st annual boutique, which runs through Dec. 2 (Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.); 3 Valley Road, Paterson;  lambertcastleweb.wordpress.com .

Set in Ringwood State Park is Ringwood Manor, a grand summer estate once owned by the Cooper-Hewitt family. Now owned by the state of New Jersey, the lavishly decorated home provides visitors with the chance to set foot inside a 100-year-old time capsule.

The manor started life in 1807 as a 10-room, Federal-style home to serve the owner of the local ironworks. Today it stands as a 51-room Victorian mansion thanks to Sarah Amelia Cooper Hewitt. She led renovations in 1864, 1875, 1900 and 1910 and placed deed restrictions on the property to ensure its preservation.

Hewitt's son Erksine Hewitt, who served as a captain in the Spanish-American War before developing much of modern Ringwood, donated the site to the state in 1938.

Go: The home is generally open for guided tours Wednesday through Sunday , every hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is closed most of November to prepare for the December “Victorian Christmas” events;  ringwoodmanor.org .

TEMPORARY CLOSURES: Ringwood's historic state-owned manors closed ahead of holiday events

Built over the course of 12 years starting in 1760, Liberty Hall was to be the retirement home for attorney William Livingston. The first Continental Congress in 1774 and ensuing Revolution-era events, including his election as New Jersey’s first governor in 1776, ended those plans.

Constructed as a 14-room, Georgian-style home, Liberty Hall was later transformed into a 50-room Victorian-style mansion and now museum by subsequent generations of the politically connected Kean family. The Keans first arrived in 1811 and by the late 1970s had converted the property into a museum.

Today, the exterior of the museum at Kean University stands out, with pale yellow paint and black shutters above first-floor white detailing. In the past, presidents Ulysses S. Grant, William Howard Taft and Herbert Hoover walked its halls.

Go: Tours and museum hours typically run from Tuesday through Saturday each week from April to December starting at 10 a.m.; 1003 Morris Ave., Union;  kean.edu/libertyhall .

Built by the son of a railroad tycoon in 1896 to house theatrical productions, polo horses and masquerade balls, Gould Mansion served as the summer retreat for George Jay Gould and family.

The 200-acre estate now serves the academic crowd as part of Georgian Court University in Lakewood. Four gardens, including Japanese and Italian gardens, adorn the site.

The estate, known as Georgian Court under the ownership of the Goulds, also features a rare court tennis facility. Restored roughly a dozen years ago, the facility helped Gould’s son, Jay, become the game’s world and Olympic champion in the early 1900s.

After Gould’s death in 1923, the home was sold to the Sisters of Mercy as the next home of the College of Mount St. Mary. Georgian Court College, as it was renamed to appease its former owner's estate, opened in 1924.

Go: Tours are available today by appointment; 517 Ninth St., Lakewood; georgian.edu/venue/georgian-court-university-mansion .

A villa-style home constructed by glass-making magnate Thomas Whitney in 1849, Hollybush was made more famous by its visitors than its owners.

The home has been a center of education in Glassboro since 1923, when the Glassboro Normal School opened to train teachers on a then-subdivided Whitney estate. The manor served as dorms for students. Later, it was reserved for school presidents.

For one day in 1967, the image of Hollybush was plastered on newspapers worldwide as President Lyndon Johnson and Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin met in its library for Cold War talks.

Now part of the campus known as Rowan University, the Italian-style manor underwent a $3 million renovation starting in 2003. Hollybush is used today as a meeting venue and reception area for school and community functions.

Go:  Tours available by appointment; 501 Whitney Ave., Glassboro;  sites.rowan.edu/hollybush .

Set amid the New Jersey Botanical Garden, Skylands Manor is a Tudor-style mansion built by Jersey City engineer and inventor turned investment banker Clarence McKenzie Lewis.

The lavish home features a marble-lined breakfast room, a Venetian wash basin and a five-sided study covered in oak panels carved with a mythical animal motif from the German Renaissance. Stained glass, marble and woodwork assembled from historic estates in England and New England adorn the structure.

The home was designed by John Russell Pope, famous for the National Gallery of Art and the Jefferson Memorial. The builder, Elliot C. Brown, counted Franklin D. Roosevelt among his clients. Each room has a garden view.

Lewis was a New York Botanical Garden trustee. He sold the property in 1953 but once had 60 full-time gardeners tending the grounds.

The state bought 1,117 acres of the property from Shelton College in 1966, marking its inaugural Green Acres purchase. In 1984, Gov. Thomas Kean designated the 96 acres surrounding the manor house New Jersey’s botanical garden.

Go: 45-minute tours of the house are available at 1 p.m. on selected Sundays; 2 Morris Road, Ringwood;  njbg.org/skylandsmanor.shtml .

Completed in 1912 on 1,000 acres, Natirar is a slate-roofed, limestone-trimmed, 33,000-square-foot Tudor mansion. Its name is the reverse of the nearby river: the Raritan.

Whaling heiress Kate Macy Ladd and her husband, Walter Ladd, built the manor. Rather than throw parties in it, as was the wont of many of their Gilded Age contemporaries, the couple opened a nearby convalescence center for ill women. After Walter Ladd’s 1933 death, the center moved into the mansion, where it stayed for 50 years.

Natirar and its 500-acre surroundings were then sold to the king of Morocco for use by family while his sons attended Princeton University. The king, Hassan II, owned Natirar from 1983 to 2003, when Somerset County bought it and 90 surrounding acres for $22 million.

Today, it operates as a cooking school, corporate retreat and wedding venue under a public-private partnership designed to fund restoration work. Residential units, hotel suites and a spa are all in development for club members, who are invited to join by invitation only.

Go: Membership in Natirar is by invitation only, but it can be booked for events; 2 Main St., Peapack-Gladstone;  natirar.com .

Ringling Manor: The story of 10 Capuchin friars who went from a Nazi concentration camp to Morris

Nostalgia: New Jersey's iconic Fairy Tale Forest to re-awaken

EXHIBITIONS

Ebb and Flow: New Jersey and Its Rivers

Send the Word: New Jersey During the Great War

The Long March Home: An American Soldier’s Life as a Nazi Slave Laborer

“Meet Me under Bamberger’s Clock”: A Celebration of the Life and Contributions of Louis Bamberger

Stronger Than Steel: The Senator Wynona Lipman Story 

Family Programs

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Education Programs

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NEWS & EVENTS

Stronger Than Steel: The Senator Wynona Lipman Story

(Closing June 29th)

Admission to the museum is $3.00 per person. Admission to the library is $5.00 per person.

Members always free with Membership Card.

Museum Hours 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Tuesday – Saturday

Library Hours 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm Tuesday- Saturday Please schedule an appointment

The New Jersey Historical Society

52 Park Place Newark, NJ 07102 (973) 596-8500 Fax: (973) 596-6957

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Historical Attractions

A world of historical discovery awaits visitors in New Jersey. See why the state's reputation as the "Crossroads of the American Revolution" is well deserved. From those Revolutionary Days to recent times, New Jersey has played a prominent role in our nation's history.

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Visitor Information

Closed for tours as the battleship prepares for dry dock.

The Battleship is closed for tours in order to prepare for dry dock.

The Battleship will depart for dry dock on March 21.  A free Departure Celebration will take place at 11am on the Battleship’s pier on March 21.  The Pier will open at 10am for this event, which will include dignitaries, entertainment, food and bar concessions and more as we wish a bon voyage to the Battleship.

The Battleship is expected to be in dry dock for 60 days.  We hope to re-open it for tours in June.

Parking    Hours     Directions    Public Transportation     Faq

Our crew is confident you’ll be amazed at the areas available to explore and the ongoing efforts to preserve and maintain this iconic national treasure. We’re ready for your family and friends to share the history and educational experiences offered at The Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial. We look forward to your visit!

Visitors Center

Upon arrival, guests are advised to stop in the Visitors Center located land-side across from the Battleship. Our Ticket Office assists individuals, families and groups looking to start their tour.

Visitor Center Amenities:

•  Souvenir shop and Café.
• Educational Videos
• Restrooms (we recommend “hitting the head” before heading to the ship but there are some restrooms aboard)
• Water Fountains

Black Dragon Cafe

Enjoy snacks, coffee, soft drinks and even cold beer — including Battleship Beer, a pilsner brewed by Farmers and Bankers Brewery, Salem County, NJ!     Enjoy something to eat or drink — all with an amazing view of the Battleship!

We also offer a selection of merchandise, including Battleship hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, toys, models,  dog tags, Battleship Cigars and more!

The Black Dragon Cafe, located landside in the Battleship’s Visitors Center, is open every day from 10am to 5pm when the Battleship is open for tours.  The Black Dragon Cafe is currently closed as the Battleship prepares for dry dock.

Entering the Ship

To get on the ship, stay to the right and climb the stairs, or use the elevator behind the stairs. You then cross over a metal brow that rises and lowers with the tide connecting the pier stairs/elevator to the deck of the ship.

Ladders and Knee Knockers

Full tours of the Battleship New Jersey are physical and require climbing and descending steep steps (called ladders by the Navy). You will also be stepping over “knee knockers” or high step openings along the tour.

How to Dress

We advise guests to dress casually and wear comfortable walking or athletic shoes with non-skid soles. It is strongly suggested that high-heeled and open toe shoes or any article of clothing that might compromise safety be avoided while exploring the Big J.

Carrying Infants

Front carriers are required for infants and toddlers. You will have to leave your stroller under a land-side awning or in your car. Carriers are available for purchase in the Visitors Center.

Accessibility

Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any accessibility concerns. [email protected]

• Our main deck tour option that is roughly 45 mins and full of valuable information.
• There are wheelchair accessible elevators under the forward and aft entry stairs to provide access to the battleship.
• Wheelchair accessible restrooms are available as well as gender neutral restrooms with baby changing tables.
• Chairs and benches are located around the ship to allow people to sit and rest.
• Service animals are welcome aboard although it is unlikely that they can negotiate the steep ladders and its recommended they only do the main deck tour.
• Reveille! Sensory Friendly Days . A relaxed opening suitable for families that would benefit from a quieter museum experience. Additional hands-on programs will be going on and a modified tour route will be available to those wishing to avoid the battleship’s stairs. A quiet room will be open to any that wish to use it. Check our calendar for exact days. If your group would benefit from a more relaxed experience on other days, please e-mail [email protected] to set up a special tour.  More Reveille! Information .

Self-guided tours are available every day from 10am to 4pm.  Climb inside the 16-inch gun turret,  walk through the Officers’ Wardroom, see how the sailors and marines lived aboard this floating city and more!

Guided tours launch every day at 12pm.  Let our trained tour guide walk you through our nation’s largest battleship.  Along the way, our guide we’ll explain the areas and amazing history of the Battleship.

Fire Power Self-Guided Tour

This overall view of the Battleship New Jersey takes guests five levels up and two decks below. The Main Deck features an Exhibit/Museum that encompasses the 48 years in and out of service. Guides are available for questions and conversations in the Captain’s Quarters and CEC.

For a limited time, extend your tour with two complimentary extensions found along the route:

Engineering “Steam to Speed” Guided Tour Extension – Walk through both fire room two and engine room two. Learn about the ship’s boilers and turbines. Climb under one of the ship’s massive propeller shafts.

Turret II Guided Tour Extension – An interactive experience that tasks you with loading the powder bags, hoisting a projectile in an elevator, and pulling the trigger to simulate the 16-inch guns firing. Finish with a walk down Broadway.

BUY TICKETS

Want to see more of the ship?  Ask about our Curator’s private tours, where you can do to place aboard ship that only our curatorial staff can take you.  Curator’s Tours with Curator Ryan Szimanski are a $1,200 donation.   For other members of the Curatorial staff, the tour is a $600 donation.  Curator’s Tour can  be for up to 10 guests,   To scheduled a Curator’s Tours, email Educationbattleshipnewjersey.org or call 856-966-1652, ext. 144.

Jason’s Kids Kompartment

Pre-school children can enjoy Jason’s Kids Kompartment, presented by Lockheed-Martin.  This space offers a safe and fun area for younger kids to play.  The space features a small boat for kids to captain, a play galley area, Sixers basketball, blocks, coloring books and more!  The Kids Kompartment is part of the Battleship’s Fire Power tour.

The Battleshop in the Visitors Center offers an assortment of Battleship gifts and merchandise, including USS New Jersey hats, models, books, themed plush animals, dog tags and more. Many of our items are Made in the USA.

The Black Dragon Café is located inside the Visitors Center and is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm when the Battleship is open for tours.  The Black Dragon Cafe is currently closed as the Battleship prepares for dry dock.   When open, the Cafe offers an assortment of cold sandwiches, wraps, chips, candy, sodas and beer.

Ship’s Store

The  Ship’s Store ,    located on the ship and usually open for overnights,   offers an assortment of Battleship gifts and merchandise, including USS New Jersey hats, models, books, themed plush animals, dog tags and more. You can visit the Ship’s Store with or without a tour, inquire at the Visitors Center. Many of our items for sale are made in the USA.

Local Accommodations

Hilton garden inn camden waterfront.

1 Penn St, Camden, NJ 08102 •

(856) 756-0070

The Hilton Garden Inn is located just a 10 minute walk from the Battleship New Jersey,

To find other near by accommodations , visit HotelsCombined .

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Take a step back in time with a visit to n.j.’s beautiful historic homes, like this article share it with your friends.

Posted on May 12, 2022 by Hunter Hulbert - Community

New Jersey is rich in history, and the abundance of historic homes across the state will take you back in time. These structures allow us to relive and experience what life used to be like over the centuries, providing more insight into the beautiful place we call home: the Garden State.

From the northern tip of Passaic and Bergen counties, inland to Morris and Mercer county, all the way down to the southernmost point in Cape May, there is no lack of historic homes to visit — each one distinct in architecture and character. Let’s explore, shall we?

Ringwood Manor. Photo by Anthony Gadaleta

Ringwood Manor, Ringwood

Located within the picturesque natural beauty of the New Jersey Skylands lies Ringwood Manor . Designated as a National Historic Landmark, the home is situated in Ringwood State Park, which is filled with walking and hiking trails waiting to be explored. The manor has roots in Native American history and dates to the early 20th century.

Guided tours of the manor are held Wednesday-Sunday on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. except noon. Admission to the manor costs $10 for adults, $8 for seniors ages 62 and older, $5 for children between 6 to 12 years old and free for children 5 and younger.

When planning your visit, be sure to check the latest updates on the tour schedule and make sure that the manor is open, as that’s subject to change. Starting from Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, a small, per-car parking fee is required to enter the park. New Jersey residents pay $5 and out-of-state residents pay $7.

On Sun., June 5, the manor is having an Antiques and Vintage Marketplace from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the event is free, with only a small parking fee to enter the park. It’s ideal for the collector and enthusiast alike.

For more information on tours, events or other inquiries, be sure to visit the website .

Address: 1304 Sloatsburg Road, Ringwood, N.J. 07456

The Hermitage. Photo by Anthony Gadaleta

The Hermitage, Ho-Ho-Kus

Nestled in the affluent Bergen County town of Ho-Ho-Kus, The Hermitage is truly a hidden gem. A historic home and museum, the home boasts bountiful history and beautiful ornate architecture on the interior and exterior. Covering a multitude of time periods, the home has seen many eras and owners.

You can explore and wander the grounds and gardens of the property daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tours of the home typically run on weekends at 1:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. You can also arrange a tour by appointment on Thursdays and Fridays. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 10 and younger.

On Sat., May 21, The Hermitage hosts Afternoon Tea starting at 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. Tickets cost $60 per person. It’s an excellent way to experience history and indulge in some tea time.

Be sure to visit during the 50th Anniversary Celebration on Sat., June 11 at Sun Valley Farms in Mahwah from 1 to 4 p.m. The fee for the event is $100 per person for general admission, $250 for VIP, $25 for children 12 and younger and $75 for members of The Hermitage. It’s a special way to celebrate the history and legacy of The Hermitage with the local community.

The Hermitage also hosts a number of lectures and seasonal craft shows throughout the year. For more details, visit the website .

Address: 335 Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J. 07423

Macculloch Hall. Photo by Anthony Gadaleta

Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, Morristown

Morristown is synonymous with history, and the Macculloch Hall Historical Museum is just another example of a local piece of it. This Federal-style, brick mansion was the former home of the Macculloch family during the early 19th century and has ties to the American Revolution.

Macculloch is open weekdays by appointment only, and, when visiting, make sure to schedule at least 48 hours or more in advance. You can also choose to roam the gardens of the property as it is open to the public daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For tours of Macculloch, tickets cost $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, $6 for students, $4 for children ages 12 and younger, and free for children ages 5 and younger. Members also have free admission.

The museum also hosts a multitude of events, both in-person and virtually, which is ideal for families with young children. During the months of May and June, there are Growing in the Gardens events from 2 to 2:30 p.m., held on every other Tuesday, and Guess & Go Story Time children’s events held every Wednesday in May at noon (both events are held virtually on Facebook Live).

Be sure to check their full list of events on the website .

Address: 45 MacCulloch Ave., Morristown, N.J. 07960

Morven Museum & Garden. Photo by Anthony Gadaleta

Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton

Known as the former Governor’s Mansion, the Morven Museum & Garden , is a now historic home and museum just steps away from the heart of downtown Princeton. A true historical symbol of the Garden State, it now hosts many special events and exhibitions.

Morven is open Wednesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guided tours of the home are held at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., and at 2 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors ages 60 and older, $8 for students with an ID, $8 for children ages 7 to 18, $8 for individuals that are active military, and free for children ages 6 and younger. Members also have free admission.

Morven also hosts private events for special occasions as well. Visit the website for more information.

Address: 55 Stockton St., Princeton, N.J. 08540

Emlen Physick Estate. Photo by Anthony Gadaleta

Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May

Beautifully situated in the historic town of Cape May on the southernmost tip of the state, the Emlen Physick Estate is perhaps one of the best-known symbols of this seaside community. It’s an iconic example of late 19th century Victorian architecture.

The home is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets for guided tours of the home cost $20 for adults, $15 for children ages 3 to 12, and are at a discounted rate of 25% off for members.

The Emlen Physick Estate also hosts many events throughout the year through the Cape May MAC Association, including seasonal craft shows, festivals and holiday celebrations. For more information on events and other seasonal festivities, be sure to visit the website .

Address: 1048 Washington St., Cape May, N.J. 08204

No matter what season you plan on visiting, from snowy, winter days to hot, summer afternoons, you’ll learn more about the local stories embedded in our state’s history. These historic homes are all a must-visit to experience the splendor of the Garden State.

Anthony Gadaleta is a travel writer and photographer based in New Jersey. He creates curated travel and lifestyle content through Capturing Life’s Moments , a website dedicated to his passion for travel.

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5 comments on “ Take a step back in time with a visit to N.J.’s beautiful historic homes ”

I’m looking forward to visit my home state. I live in PA now and NJ has many things to do and visit. Thank you for the opportunity to do so.

Of course! 🙂

I can’t wait to see these historical homes, anthony is incredibly well spoken and knows what he’s talking about!

Thank you so much for your kind words Eliza! So glad I inspired your next travel adventure. 🙂

How did you manage to neglect to include The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms in Morris Plains, NJ? A true hidden gem.

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Historical Walking Tour

Historical Walking Tour Elizabeth Ave & Broad Street Elizabeth, New Jersey 07201

Elizabeth's Historic Heartline Walking Tour

Are your kids bored with history? Do they have a hard time finding it relevant? If so, Elizabeth's historical city walking tours can help give them a brand new perspective. With smartphone-enabled audio accompanying historical streets and architecture that span over 350 years, even the biggest history detractors will love learning about Elizabeth's rich past.

Walking Tour Highlights There are many historical sites that are part of the Elizabeth's Historic Heartline Walking Tour. The walking tour, for example, includes the Belcher-Ogden Mansion . It also features the Bonnell House , which is one of the oldest residences in the state, built between 1670 and 1685. The walking tour also stops at the Snyder Academy of Elizabethtown , First Presbyterian Church , Elizabeth River Trail , the Elizabeth Public Library , Liberty Hall , Ritz Theater , Minute Man Statue , St. John's Episcopal Church, Veteran's Memorial Waterfront Park , and Boxwood Hall , which hosted George Washington and Alexander Hamilton among others. The walking tour gives visitors an opportunity to explore at their own pace and experience Elizabeth's history as New Jersey's first provincial capital up to the city's current role as the county seat of Union County.

Point of Interest: Elizabeth River Trail The Elizabeth River Trail highlights the history of Elizabeth with artwork from local artists displayed along its path. The trail restores some of the natural beauty of the urban waters that played an important part in Elizabeth’s development as a city.

Point of Interest: Ritz Theatre Built-in 1926 and known for its Art Deco design, the Ritz Theatre is one of the largest and oldest fully operational theaters in New Jersey. Over the years, many legendary performers have graced this majestic theater’s stage, from the Marx Brothers, George Burns, and Jack Benny, Ray Charles, Harry Chapin, Maya Angelou, Chaka Kahn, Rodney Dangerfield, Miles Davis, and many others. The theatre was a cultural landmark through the 1960s.

Point of Interest: St. John's Episcopal Church Founded in 1706, the church is known for its features, including stained glass, rich woodwork and a cemetery. St. John’s Episcopal Church is known as one of the oldest Episcopal Churches in America. Jonathan Dayton, who lived at Boxwood Hall, is buried in an unmarked grave in this church's cemetery. Dayton had served as a lieutenant and paymaster in the Revolutionary War. In 1789, he was one of four signers of the United States Constitution for the state of New Jersey.

How Does Elizabeth's History's Heartline Walking Tour work? Including tours of Elizabeth Ave and Broad Street, the walking tour uses smartphone technology to bring the historic places of Elizabeth to life for visitors. When taking the tour, simply use a QR code reader app to scan the QR code seen at each historical site. Once downloaded, just press play on your smartphone and hear a description of each site as you explore it.

Elizabeth is full of history, beauty, and fun. Explore the city through not only walking tours, but also by public transportation to visit parks, shops, dining, and nightlife opportunities. Walk among history in Elizabeth, NJ.

Download our "Elizabeth's Historic Heartline" Walking Tour Pamphlet Here!

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Historical Sites In NJ: These 16 Places Make Learning Fun

One of the best things about living in The Garden State is showing your kids a real piece of our country’s history at one (or all) of the historical sites in NJ. Of course, we’re lucky to have sites dating back to the Revolutionary War when Washington fought important battles that led to our freedom, but there are lots of other historical spots your family won’t want to miss. See where Thomas Edison invented electricity and motion pictures, the terminal where immigrants first landed on US soil, and some of the oldest iconic landmarks in the country. Ready to step back in time? Scroll down for the historical places in NJ you and your budding history buffs should have on your bucket list. ( featured p hoto credit: @kateystanley )

These are the 16 Best Historical Sites in NJ

Visit one of the 13 original buildings at Allaire State Park, one of the must-see historical sites in NJ. Photo taken at Allaire State Park . 

The Historic Village at Allaire Initially, this historical site in NJ was a thriving, self-sufficient industrial town of 400 people. These days, the original buildings operate as if they were still in the 19th century. You and your crew can swing by the carpenter and blacksmith shops to watch the volunteers at work and then stop by the general store to buy items that they made on-site, like necklaces (blacksmiths), dolls (textile artists), whistles (tinsmiths), and purses (leather smiths). And don’t forget to pop into the bakery for some fresh treats. The town is part of  Allaire State Park , which has many other attractions, including a forest full of dinosaurs and a train. 4263 Atlantic Ave., Farmingdale, NJ 07727 (732) 919-3500

Historic Smithville This charming town gives you a glimpse into what a village looked like back in the 19th century, with cobblestone streets, footbridges, and pretty lake views. Historic Smithville started as a seven-acre stagecoach stop with one building—The Smithville Inn, and grew into a representation of a historic village, with buildings restored and repurposed into stores and eateries over the years. Kids will love riding the train and carousel, visiting the Toy Market, and then stopping by Scoop’s Place for some refreshing ice cream—and don’t forget to swing by Sweet Things to grab some candy before you go. 615 E. Moss Mill Rd., Smithville, NJ 08205 (609) 652-7777 (The Smithville Inn)

Central Railroad of New Jersey (CRRNJ) Train Terminal Most of us can probably trace our US beginnings to the CRRNJ train terminal, where immigrants landed after a stop on Ellis Island. During the time of operation, about two-thirds of immigrants made their way to the terminal and then continued their journey further into the US or settled in NJ or NY. You can make a stop here, too, read about this historical place in NJ with the interpretive displays, and then continue to Liberty State Park, where you can explore the grounds and more on the shores of the Hudson. 1 Audrey Zapp Dr., Jersey City, NJ 07305 (201) 915-0615

Lambert Tower This 70-foot tall tower, built in 1896 by Catholina Lambert, an English immigrant and silk mill entrepreneur, has panoramic views from the top with a nod to British royalty. While the Lambert Castle was built just a few years earlier, in 1892-1893, both the castle and tower were built in the style of the castles in Great Britain (where Catholina was raised). Climb to the top for the most amazing views of the Garret Mountain Reservation at this historical place in NJ. The Tower is open to the public from May-October Wednesdays through Saturdays. Lambert Castle Valley Road, Paterson, NJ 07505 (973) 881-4832

The Sterling Hill Mining Museum This museum was once one of the world’s best sources of zinc ore and is considered one of NJ’s most unusual attractions . The open-pit-turned-underground-mine, which had 35 miles of tunnels, stopped operations in 1986 and has a museum and currently offers tours on the weekends for the mine. There’s also the world’s most extensive collection of colorful fluorescent minerals, which will fascinate big kids and littles (and make time to pan for minerals in the Sluice mining station after). 30 Plant St., Ogdensburg, NJ 07439 (973) 209-7212

Haddonfield’s Dinosaur Discovery Park In 1858, a group of diggers excavated an almost-complete dinosaur skeleton in a Haddonfield farm—up until then, researchers had found only small, seemingly unconnected pieces in Europe and North America, proving dinosaurs were indeed on this continent. While you won’t see the skeleton, you can stand where the dinosaur was discovered and once roamed in this mini-park at the end of a suburban street. You’ll know you’re there when you see a couple of low-key historical plaques and a bench. End of Maple Avenue, Haddonfield, NJ 08033 (609) 313-6648

Weehawken Dueling Grounds If you know, you know—this historical site in NJ is where the famous duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr happened, a key part of history and a pivotal scene in the Broadway hit Hamilton . The duel took place on a ledge on the cliffs, below where a bust of Hamilton sits to commemorate the spot. (The actual dueling ground no longer exists because of a railroad line built-in 1870.) After you and your fam explore the history, relax in the adjacent Hamilton Park and enjoy a picturesque view of the Manhattan skyline—make sure to get some photos of your kiddos for the gram. Hamilton Ave., Weehawken, NJ 07086 (201) 319-6005

Historic Speedwell makes a lovely place to explore— with a park featuring a small waterfall, lake, and walking trail. Photo Credit: @kateystanley

Historic Speedwell   The Industrial Revolution began here when Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail showed people their electromagnetic telegraph in 1838, ushering in a new way to communicate messages across far distances through electric currents known as Morse Code. The 18th-century buildings and interactive museum have re-opened after three years, so it’s worth checking them out and exploring the lovely park that features a small waterfall, lake, and a walking trail. 333 Speedwell Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960 (973) 285-6550

Thomas Edison National Historical Park The father of electricity, Thomas Edison, created many of his groundbreaking inventions in West Orange including the motion picture camera, higher-quality phonograph, sound recordings, silent movies, movies with sound, and an electric storage battery. Stop by the visitor center to see a short film about Edison’s life and work, take a peek into the laboratory where you can see where Edison worked, and then visit the grounds around his estate, Glenmont (tours are available inside the estate for adults only). 211 Main St., West Orange, NJ 07052 (973) 736-0550

Absecon Lighthouse Head to the shore to check out one of the oldest lighthouses in the US, built over 160 years ago in 1857, and the tallest one in NJ. If you and your fam decide to make the trek up the 228 steps, you can see the original Fresnel lens (a classic lighthouse lens), which was first lit in 1857, as well as fantastic views of the Atlantic City skyline—make sure to have your phone at the ready for some great candid shots.  31 S. Rhode Island Ave., Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 449-1360

Lucy the Elephant stands six stories high and was built 140 years ago, in 1881, to attract real estate buyers to the area. Photo taken at Lucy the Elephant

Lucy the Elephant It may be kitschy, but that’s part of the fun—one of the oldest roadside attractions in the US and a National Historic Landmark, Lucy the Elephant , stands at six stories high and was built 140 years ago in 1881 to attract real estate buyers to the area. Lucy recently went through a complete restoration inside and out, so it’s worth a visit again if you’ve been. You can take a guided inside tour before stopping by the gift shop to bring home a souvenir. 9200 Atlantic Ave., Margate, NJ 08402 (609) 823-6473

Revolutionary War Sites 

Stepping back into the 1700s at Jockey Hollow, where soldiers stayed in these log cabins (since re-created). This is one of those must-see historical places in NJ. Photo Credit: @kateystanley

Jockey Hollow Your whole family will be eager to explore the grounds of Jockey Hollow, the area where the Continental Army camped out during the winter of 1779 to 1780 (the coldest winter on record) and chopped down over 600 acres of trees to build shelter and make fires. Kids will love running up the hill to step inside the recreated log cabins where the soldiers and officers lived that winter. Afterward, they can learn the story of Tempe Wick and how she kept a horse in her bedroom at the restored Wick House, located in the lower part of the park. 586 Tempe Wick Rd., Morristown, NJ 07960 (973) 543-4030

Washington Crossing State Park George Washington famously crossed the Delaware River to this side from Pennsylvania on Christmas night, 1776. For almost 10 hours, boats traveled back and forth to bring people, horses, and supplies into NJ. They then marched into Trenton and secured a significant victory (capturing 900 enemy soldiers) on December 26. Have your kids pose to recreate the iconic painting of his crossing on display at the Met—and snap a photo of them for the gram. 355 Washington Crossing-Pennington Rd., Titusville, NJ 08560 (609) 737-0623

Princeton Battlefield State Park After ten days of fighting—and three battles—George Washington led American troops to surprise and defeat a British army in one of the most intense battles of the Revolutionary War. The park is one of the historical sites in NJ with lots of monuments, including the Princeton Battlefield, the Clarke House Museum, the Mercer Oak, the Ionic Colonnade, and the medallion, a stone patio marking the approximate gravesite of 21 British and 15 American soldiers killed in the battle. 500 Mercer Rd., Princeton, NJ 08540 (609) 921-0074

Monmouth Battlefield State Park The battle that took place here was a critical turning point in the Revolution. The American army had experienced many losses in 1777, but in June 1778—after one of the longest battles of the war—they managed to keep the British back and hold the field. Take a history hike to see where Washington’s Army fought the battle and observe the wildlife and meadows along the way. 16 State Route 33, Manalapan, NJ 07726 (732) 462-9616

The Ford Mansion, aka Washington’s Headquarters One of the centerpieces of Revolutionary War historical places in NJ, this Georgian-style mansion was initially owned by Jacob Ford Jr., a prominent Morristown businessman, and served as George Washington’s military headquarters from December 1779 to June 1780. You can visit the mansion and several galleries with military memorabilia from the war, 18th-century artifacts, and notable artworks. Kids will enjoy touring the estate, fully furnished in eighteenth-century style with original pieces to replicate what it looked like while Washington stayed there. 30 Washington Place, Morristown, NJ 07960 (973) 539-2016

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About Author

Caroline is a writer from central Jersey who loves checking out new boardwalks and beach towns (current faves include Long Branch and Ocean Grove), admiring the foliage and walking around downtown Princeton, and singing along to music—often with her younger sister. One of her favorite jobs was being a camp counselor and helping out at local, family-friendly events. She can regularly be found ordering a pie to go from Romeo's in Plainsboro, her favorite pizzeria.

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South Jersey possesses a rich, historic past that unfurls with the events of colonial-era America, and continues to unfold centuries after the state’s founding. With so many eras coming and going since its inception, there are a myriad of events that have influenced New Jersey’s development.

Wander back in time to the birth of our nation with a tour of a Revolutionary War battlefield, board a decorated WWII battleship turned museum, and discover safe havens along the Underground Railroad. Blend history with a nature outing on a visit to a centuries-old village and ironworks predating the industrial revolution. 

Whether you’re a history buff or just looking to get a selfie with Haddy the dinosaur, stumble onto something monumental during your next adventure in South Jersey. 

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The Best New Jersey Mansions Open to the Public

The latest update for New Jersey Mansions Open to the Public is written by  Lindsay Podolak .

D o you ever wonder what it’s like to live in an old mansion? Well, wonder no longer! Many of New Jersey’s sprawling estates are open to the public, offering guided tours and special events. We’ve rounded up the best NJ mansions that welcome visitors. They’re great for exploring with friends and family.

Quick Click Guide : Select an NJ Region below to find a Mansion near you. | North Jersey | Central Jersey | Jersey Shore | South Jersey |

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North Jersey

Lambert Castle

Editor’s Note : Lambert Castle is currently closed due to a planned renovation in 2020. We will update this feature when they reopen. Location: 3 Valley Road, Paterson Details: Located on Garret Mountain overlooking Paterson, this beautiful estate resembles an old English castle. English immigrant Catholina Lambert made his fortune in the silk industry, then built the castle in the late 19th century. The castle houses a large collection of American and European art, much to the delight of his many prominent visitors. Lambert’s son Walter later sold the castle to the city of Paterson in 1925. Since then, extensive renovations have restored the building to its former glory. Every November, you can visit the Lambert Castle Holiday Boutique to shop for festive decor, crafts, jewelry and more. Why I like it: Members of the Passaic County Historical Society receive free admission; otherwise, adults pay just $5 and children ages 5-17 are $3. More info: Visit the website or you can click here to call .

Ringwood Manor

Location: 1304 Sloatsburg Road, Ringwood Details: Ringwood Manor served as a summer home to ironmasters Peter Cooper and Abram S. Hewitt during the Gilded Age. Though building began in 1810, the final phase did not complete until 1910. Inside the manor, you’ll find neo-classical decor along with French designs and furniture. Each December, the estate is open to the public during the Victorian Christmas weekends. It then closes in January and February before opening again with limited hours in March. Meanwhile, you can take a guided tour Wednesdays through Sundays from April to November at select times; of course, it’s best to call ahead to confirm availability. Why I like it: Free, self-guided tours of the the estate’s carriage barn take place every weekend from May – October between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm. More info: Visit the website or you can click here to call .

Shippen Manor

Location: 8 Belvidere Avenue, Oxford Details: The Shippen Manor has over 250 years of history inside its walls. The Georgian-style home is made from local stone and features three chimneys. A tour of the family dining room shows a portrait of original owner Dr. William Shippen II, a famous local surgeon, above the fireplace. You can learn more about Shippen Manor through our Jersey Through History series . Why I like it: Seasonal events such as candlelight tours in the winter and lawn concerts during the summer make Shippen Manor a year-round family destination. More info: Visit the website or you can click here to call .

Skylands Manor

Location: 5 Morris Road, Ringwood Details: Designed in the mid-1920s by American architect John Russell Pope, this Tudor Revival mansion was made to appear centuries old. The building has a weathered stone facade and its slate roof contains ripples and sags. Additionally, the dining room’s oak paneling comes from an English seacoast town and the breakfast room is lined with fine green Italian marble. Skylands Manor also notably sits within the expansive New Jersey Botanical Garden. Guided tours of the manor house are available on select Sundays throughout the year. Why I like it: After your tour of the Manor, visit the free Botanical Garden that’s open all year. More info: Visit the website or you can click here to call .

Central Jersey

Drumthwacket

Location: 354 Stockton Street (Route 206), Princeton Details: Drumthwacket has been the official residence of New Jersey’s governor since 1981. The home was built in 1835 by Charles Smith Olden, who later became the state’s 28th governor. It sits near the site of the Battle of Princeton , a significant battle during the American Revolution. Drumthwacket is open most Wednesdays at 1:00 pm for guided public tours, except during the holidays. The home also hosts an Annual Spring Carnival to provide a day of fun and games for children with special needs and their families. Why I like it: Students can use the online student portal to play games, view an interactive map of New Jersey and learn more about local inventors. More info: Visit the website or you can click here to call .

Liberty Hall Museum

Location: 1003 Morris Avenue, Union Details: Liberty Hall was built in 1772 for William Livingston, New Jersey’s first elected governor. (And also a signer of the Constitution.) Originally a 14-room Georgian-style home, Liberty Hall is now a 50-room Victorian-style mansion. The museum also houses ceramics, textiles, toys, furniture, and tools owned by seven generations of the Kean and Livingston families. They are open Wednesday through Sunday from April to December, with limited hours in March. Liberty Hall closes during January and February, except to group reservations of 10 or more. Check the website calendar for special events such as afternoon tea, a Dr. Seuss birthday celebration and more. Why I like it: You won’t want to miss the museum’s rare 1796 Madeira wine collection. A staff member actually found the collection during a recent renovation. More info: Visit the website or you can click here to call .

Jersey Shore

Emlen Physick Estate

Location: 1048 Washington Street, Cape May Details: The Emlen Physick Estate is a glimpse into New Jersey’s Victorian past, as seen through its design and decor. Emlen Physick Jr., along with his widowed mother and maiden aunt, moved in when it was completed in 1879. The stately grounds include Hill House and the Carriage House, as well as the Carroll Gallery, which often features new art. Special guided tours are available for kids (with an adult present). Families can also explore Physick Estate on a fun and educational scavenger hunt any day of the week! Likewise, spring and summer events include the Sip Into Spring Festival and the Craft Beer, Music & Crab Festival. Why I like it: Into ghosts? The Emlen Physick Estate is Cape May’s original haunted house, with many spirits said to roam the halls. More info: Visit the website or you can click here to call .

South Jersey

Batsto Mansion

Location: Batsto Road, Batsto Details: Generations of ironmasters lived in the 32-room Batsto Mansion, located in the center of Batsto Village. The mansion was renovated in the late 1800s to reflect the Italianate style of architecture. Fourteen rooms of the mansion are currently open for the public to tour, including the parlors, dining room, library, and bedrooms. Guided tours of the mansion cost $3 per adult and $1 per child. Why I like it: Walk through the rest of Batsto Village to make a day of it. See the remains of the ghost town, including a post office, library, general store, and other homes. More info: Visit the website .

White Hill Mansion

Location: 217 Fourth Street, Fieldsboro Details: In 1757, merchant Robert Field inherited land from his father and built what is now White Hill Mansion. Over the years it passed through the hands of several different families, and ended up as an upscale German restaurant from 1923 through 1972. But when these owners intended to demolish the home, the borough of Fieldsboro purchased the property. Now it is a historic landmark, and archaeological digs have turned up over 30,000 artifacts and evidence of Native American occupation on the land. See the website for tour dates as well as special yoga events. Why I like it: During the popular Ghost Hunt, guests tour the mansion for five hours in the dark. Be sure to bring any ghost-seeking equipment you have! More info: Visit the website .

Hero (Top) Feature Image: © Emlen Physick Estate / Facebook Additional Images (in Order) Courtesy: Passaic County Historical Society / Website Drumthwacket Foundation / Website Emlen Physick Estate / Facebook Friends of White Hill Mansion / Facebook

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Inside the Battleship New Jersey's "historic homecoming" to the Philadelphia Navy Yard

By Nikki DeMentri

April 18, 2024 / 6:28 PM EDT / CBS Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — It is a full-circle moment and a "historic homecoming" for Battleship New Jersey at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. The USS New Jersey is now temporarily docked in South Philadelphia while undergoing maintenance.

"We're at the Philadelphia Navy Yard at dry dock number three, which is the same dry dock she was built in, in the early 1940s (and) returned to in the late 1960s," CEO Marshall Spevak said standing on the ship's main deck. "This is a historic homecoming for the battleship."

Last month, the battleship was on the move for the first time in more than 30 years. The ship first stopped at the Paulsboro Marine Terminal before moving to the Navy Yard a week later.

This week, CBS News Philadelphia got a first-hand look at the important work being done while the nation's most decorated battleship is dry-docked. Ryan Szimanski, the vice president of education and curatorial affairs, took us on a tour.

"This is a side of them that nobody gets to see," Szimanski said.

All of the work being done is happening "under the waterline."

"The Navy would be dry docking a ship like this every 2-5 years," Szimanski said, "but that doesn't mean that you or I would ever get in there to see it."

The "critical hull maintenance work" focuses on three areas: repainting the hull, inspecting the through-hull openings and "fixing the cathodic protection system" by replacing dozens of anodes.

"This is a $10 million project over the course of two months," Spevak said, "so a lot is happening very quickly."

It's quite the sight to see: four 18-foot, 20-ton propellors out of the water. The New Jersey is sitting on more than 300 blocks, which support some 45,000 tons of ship above.

"Not all ships get saved, so it's extremely special the Battleship New Jersey was chosen," Szimanski said.

Crews recently started applying the first coat of paint on the hull.

"We're putting three different coats on. Each coat is a different color," Szimanski said. "That way the painters can see what they've painted and what they haven't and over the next 30 years, we can see, as that paint wears away, what color is it worn down to? Is it time to start planning for the next dry dock?"

Back on the main deck, Spevak said not only does this project fulfill the mission to preserve, but it also allows them to continue educating the public. Every weekend, aside from the day of the Broad Street Run, they offer public tours.

"It's a once-in-a-generation opportunity to actually walk underneath the battleship," Spevak said.

He noted more than 3,500 tickets have been sold so far. Tickets can be purchased on the battleship's website.

"It's all going to go right back into this project and help cover our overhead expenses," Spevak said. "We have no other revenue coming in during this time that were here at the yard so the dry dock tours are really helpful to us and keeping us going."

Battleship New Jersey will remain at the Navy Yard for another month and a half before heading back down the Delaware and reopening in Camden in mid-June.

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Nikki DeMentri is a general assignment reporter with CBS Philadelphia. The Central New Jersey native is thrilled she is sharing the stories of where she grew up.

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These 32 sites will help launch N.J.’s Black Heritage Trail

• Updated: Apr. 26, 2024, 11:59 p.m. |
• Published: Apr. 26, 2024, 3:21 p.m.

Chicken Bone Beach in Atlantic City was selected as a site for the first round of nominations for New Jersey's Black Heritage Trail.

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Thirty-two sites in 15 New Jersey counties were recommended by the public as places that highlight the state’s Black history and heritage.

The New Jersey Historical Commission voted unanimously earlier this month to approve all 32 sites to receive the first official markers to launch New Jersey’s new Black Heritage Trail , state officials announced Friday. (See full list of sites below.)

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Bon Jovi on the Band's New Doc, If They'll Ever Tour Again & Driving Around New Jersey With Bruce Springsteen

Bon Jovi rocked launched to fame in the era when rock stars still toured the world in jumbo jets with the band's name painted on the side. Four decades after the group's inception, most people can name at least one Bon Jovi song, with the band clocking 10 Hot 100 Top 10 hits - including four No. 1s - during its still-ongoing run. With its culture-permeating anthems, the fame, the money, the analogous excesses they generated and the comedically big hair, the band helped forge the archetype for '80s (and '90s and early '00s) rock megafame.

Talking to Billboard over Zoom from a white-walled room somewhere in New Jersey, you get the sense that there's at least one part of this heyday Jon Bon Jovi wishes he could return to.

"When I can do two-and-a-half hours a night, four nights a week and not think about it - the way that I did for the first 30 years of our career - then I'll say, ‘Sure, I'd love the opportunity,'" says the group's frontman, still a dreamboat at 62.

The opportunity in question in touring. On the precipice of releasing its 16th studio album, Forever , Bon Jovi isn't sure they'll hit the road behind the album, out June 7. The wildcard element is JBJ's voice, the same one that implored us to live for the fight when that's all that we've got on "Living on a Prayer," and melted a billion hearts on "Bed of Roses" - and which has been under heavy repair since the vocal difficulties Bon Jovi has experienced for years necessitated a major vocal chord surgery in the summer of 2022. The procedure left him unsure if he'd ever be able to sing about going down in a blaze of glory, or living while he's alive, or anything at all, ever again.

This issue isn't what the band's new documentary, Thank You, Goodnight was intended to be about. The stakes, however, became quickly apparent to director Gotham Chopra when he started filming a few years back.

"The more time I spent with Jon, I was like, ‘So wait, what's going on with your voice?'" Chopra says over Zoom. "Jon said he'd been struggling with it for a couple of years, and didn't know what was going to happen - because the shows we were filming might be the end of the line - but that that wasn't for the documentary."

"I was like, ‘Oh no," Chopra continues. "That's for the documentary. It's really important. Everything you've built across 40 years hangs in the balance."

This narrative thus became the through line of the four-part documentary, premiering tomorrow (April 26) on Hulu. Helmed by Chopra, whose previous work includes the 2021 Tom Brady docuseries Man in the Arena , the Bon Jovi project was one, Chopra says, "where nothing was off limits." It unpacks the Bon Jovi story from its earliest days in Bon Jovi's native Sayreville, New Jersey to the arena-rock juggernaut of the Slippery When Wet era to the band's lineup changes - to Jon Bon Jovi scanning his neck with specialized lasers in an attempt to shore up his voice. Interview subjects include the band (Jon Bon Jovi, keyboardist David Brian, dummer Tico Torres and newer members Hugh McDonald, Phil X and Everett Bradley), along with former manager Doc McGhee, songwriter Desmond Child, good pal Bruce Springsteen and Richie Sambora, the guitar-wielding yin to Jon Bon Jovi's yang, who left the group in 2013.

"Obviously early on, I was like, ‘Hey, I've got to get Richie Sambora. We can't do this without Richie'," Chopra recalls, "Jon was like, ‘Oh, yeah, you gotta get Richie Sambora. You can't do this without him.'"

With Sambora's departure serving as one of the documentary's central tensions, Chopra - who interviewed each person involved in the film separately - eventually even captured an onscreen apology from the guitarist.

"In the film he says, ‘I don't regret doing it. I regret the way I did do it; I apologize to the guys for that,'" recalls Chopra. "I think the guys and Jon were pretty affected by that… All of these things become an act of therapy in some ways."

So too was it an exercise in vulnerability - with Bon Jovi allowing Chopra to film his voice issues even in their toughest moments. In one scene, he gets off stage after a show thinking he sounded pretty good and is then informed otherwise by his wife.

"What he was going through wasn't easy," says Chopra. "There were times on that tour when he was struggling, and he was in his dressing room, and he'd be like, ‘get the f–k out of my room' and I'd get the f–k out of his room - then gradually find my way back in after five or 10 minutes."

This level of intimacy, along with frank, often funny and frequently poignant interviews (in the last episode Bon Jovi gets choked up about his love of songwriting) and a barrage of archival footage, combines to offer a film that even hardcore Bon Jovi fans will likely learn something from. Here, Jon Bon Jovi and Torres discuss the documentary, as well as the future of the band.

Jon, the film's director Gotham Chopra mentioned that there were times where he was filming and you didn't necessarily want him in the room. How vulnerable was the documentary experience?

Jon: We had trust him as the director in order to get what we wanted, which was the truth. One thing we all agreed upon, on day one, was we didn't want a vanity piece. [We wanted] to tell the honest-to-God ups and downs of life behind the curtain. Nobody anticipated the health issues with me, and so that was the wild card in this. But I trusted him.

Tico: Gotham is a very spiritual person, and after a while you forget he's there. But his questions are very spiritual in nature, and somehow he opens you up to be honest with yourself. You don't find that in regular interviews.

Jon, so much of documentary focuses on this narrative about your voice. What was it like during this uncertain time, to also be bearing it to the camera?

Jon: Like I said, right after [Gotham] came on board, and I said, "I trust you to capture this," there was no decision - because there couldn't be anything other than, "You have to capture everything."

The surgery was nearly two years ago, and obviously you've recorded an album since undergoing it. How are you feeling now?

Jon: There is still uncertainty about the outcome 22 months after the surgery, although I'm optimistic. And for the record, I can say - because now I'm speaking to press and need to clarify - I'm very capable of singing again. It's just that the bar for us is two-and-a-half hours a night, four nights a week. I have to get to that level again before we'll tour. So being vulnerable I was never afraid of. Sharing it now with the public, it's out of my control, because that's what we all signed up for. And like T said, Gotham has a kind of spiritual approach to things, so it was never combative. I trusted him.

Tico: It was difficult for the band. To see one of your brothers suffering and going through something, and he's the hardest working guy there is. Every day he works hard to get back. Right after the operation, speaking to him, once he could speak, he sounded way lower [in register] than me. And we're a band, so we worry about each other. I think the fact that the documentary was capturing that as well is important. Because we're in it together. We're gonna back him up no matter what.

Gotham took the approach of interviewing everyone separately. What was it like to finally see Richie's footage?

Jon: I don't know. It was… He was honest. And you could see that he had things to deal with. And I hope it clarifies for the viewer that there was never a fight, and it was never about any issues of money or anything like that. He literally was having substance issues, anxiety issues, single dad issues, and just chose then not to come back. As he says in the film, how he did it, he apologizes for now. But you've got a band on a stage; you've got 120 roadies that are counting on income; you have millions of people who bought tickets. You gotta go to work, you know? These are big-boy decisions, and big boys have to go to work.

What was it like getting an apology from him?

Jon: I don't need an apology… I don't need an apology. It's not about that.

Tico: Remember, you're a band. We grew up together. And like I said before, when somebody's hurting, you care about him… Alec as well, our beloved bass player, when he left, it's a void. And you know he passed away just a couple of years ago. It's family. It does affect you. As a whole, it affects us. There's a comeback from that. I think the writing process and the recording process as a band helps you get that out, because it's emotion.

Jon, in the doc you say that in the Slippery When Wet era, the band had found another rung of the ladder to climb, and obviously there was much more to go after that. Given everything you've done, do you see more rungs for Bon Jovi? Where is there left to go?

Jon : It's not about numbers at all. I would love the opportunity to be whole, so that when we would go out on that stage, we could do those 18 albums and pick any song I want throughout that catalog on a nightly basis, the way I used to be able to do. That's where I have left to go. When we've done those kind of shows… when we opened the O2 Arena in London and we did 12 or 15 nights, and we did 90 different songs over the course of the nights - that's the bar that I need to get back to.

What are your current daily practices for getting yourself back to that place?

Jon: Hoping, wishing. Wishing, hoping. Praying. There's a lot of vocal therapy, at least four times a week. There are considerations about whether it's mineral or dietary and exercise stuff, but it really comes back to vocal therapy to just try to strengthen something that, you've got to remember, is only as big as your thumbnail. [He holds up his thumb to the camera.] The vocal chord is only that big. It's really up to God at this point.

There's some great unheard music in the documentary - I'm specifically thinking of a song called "Cadillac Man" that you wrote for the 1990 Robin Williams movie of the same name. Is there a chance that any of this archival music gets released?

Jon: Yes. One thing that we have always known, and our deep fan base knows as well, is that we always write 30 songs to get 10. And so there's always been a backlog of material that's been unreleased. There's no shortage of it. So I think that we stumbled on 30 or 40 songs that no one's heard, and they'll all come out, yeah.

So we get new music from the Slippery When Wet heyday era Bon Jovi?

Jon: Slippery When Wet, New Jersey, Keep the Faith . All the records.

Is there a timeline for that?

Jon: No. No one's actually even addressed it with me yet. The archiving was still going on simultaneously to the mastering and the album cover and the video and all that kind of stuff… But we know what we've got. It'll happen during the course of the release of the album.

That's incredibly exciting.

Jon: Yeah, there's some really good songs that I can't believe didn't make those records.

Jon, there's this great moment in the documentary when you share about going for long car rides with Bruce Springsteen, and you both leaving your phones at home and just driving around New Jersey and talking. What can you tell us about the last drive?

Jon: I've been blessed to have had [Bruce] and [fellow New Jersey musical influence] Southside [Johnny] be good friends to me throughout, and even before there was a band. But [Bruce] and I will take these drives now - and he was so incredibly supportive during [the voice issues] and throughout the process of healing, where I couldn't even talk, you know? We would take these 100-mile drives, just the two of us in the car, no radio, nobody. We'd just drive and talk about things that truthfully, you know, how many guys can I talk to about that level of stuff? And how many guys can he talk to about that level of stuff?

Yeah, not too many.

So yeah, we often do it, and it's some of my most treasured memories. People have seen us along the way. The first five, six, seven times, nobody would have known. But then this time we went for an ice cream cone, or this time we went for a drink, or this time we were stopped at a light. So the sightings of Sasquatch have happened. [ Laughs. ]

I was also struck by the part of the doc where you were all talking about what your success could afford you in terms of spending one-upmanship. Like, "You bought me a car? I'm going to buy you two cars" or "We need 16 pinball machines on this tour." Is there one extravagance from those days that sticks out to you?

Jon: There was silliness. There were absolutely cars and art and toys - because you could, and we took full advantage of it.

Through documentary you all got to review 40 years of your own personal style. Was there one look from each of yourselves that made you think, "Oh my God, I looked amazing"?

Jon: No, I take the opposite. My baby pictures were public, yours were not. We still have to suffer some of those looks. It could have been worse, but you know, some of those baby pictures were tough to look at.

Tico: I mean, if you take the clothes away, we definitely were better looking and younger. But the clothing was much to be desired. Even the haircuts were a little like, "I wish we didn't do that."

Some of that style has come back around though.

Jon: Oh, yes. You sit around now your kids and you go, "Those torn jeans? Let me tell you where all this stuff comes from that you're doing." When I see parachute pants and Capezios come back though, I'm running for the hills. [ Laughs. ]

Jon, there are a few moments in the documentary when you talk about finding joy and how that was hard to do while you were really struggling with your voice. Where are you both finding joy these days?

Tico: I think we're living the joy now. Jon's been through a lot, and of course everybody goes through that pain with him. The joy is the revival. Doing a record together is cleansing. Jon's lyrics - and I'm not a lyricist; I don't listen to lyrics - but this is one of the few records where I listen to every one of them, because they just grabbed me. There was a lot of joy in making this record. I think we're enjoying it. Jon, what do you think?

Jon: Well, we are. I'll give you a great example: when we're at these rehearsals and we're just marking the progress that I'm making on a monthly basis. There's no miracles, but when I look around the room and not once does the band sit there and go, "I don't want to be here." Or "I don't want to play that song again." That to me is love on a whole other level.

We know we're not going out on the road tomorrow. We know we're not being paid to sit in this rehearsal space. But the guys are like, "Of course I'll be there. Let's go. Let's do it again." Or if I crash and burn, they go, "Okay, I traveled all this way and we played an hour before I've gotta cool it." Nobody has cursed me for it. They're like, "We're with you." That's the love of family and band and brotherhood that no presents, no cars, no art, no silly kids' stuff could ever, ever replace.

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