Memucan Hughes Colonial House

653 ½ Washington Street, Cape May, NJ 08204

609-884-9100

www.capemayhistory.org
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Step into one of Cape Island's oldest surviving homes, where Revolutionary War history comes alive. The Colonial House served as both tavern and residence for patriot Memucan Hughes, a river pilot who also served as Paymaster and Commissary for the Cape May militia. During the Revolution, his tavern was more than a place for refreshment—it became a strategic hub where militia members planned the region's defense against British invasion from the Delaware River. In 1778, Hughes and fellow community leaders signed the Oath of Allegiance within these walls, pledging their loyalty as New Jersey transformed from colony to independent state.

Today, this landmark—listed on both National and State Historic Registers—serves as headquarters for the Greater Cape May Historical Society. Recently honored as one of only 50 sites statewide to receive a New Jersey State Marker for the American Revolution's 250th Anniversary, the Colonial House invites visitors to explore the very rooms where ordinary citizens made extraordinary contributions to America's founding.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO

• Walk the same floors where patriots changed history and discover how one tavern keeper helped secure independence at the edge of the Delaware Bay
• Shop, dine, and explore the nearby Washington Street Mall
• Attend an annual event offered throughout the year by Cape May MAC