Van Veghten House

9 Van Veghten Drive, Bridgewater, NJ 08807

908-218-1281

somersethistorynj.org
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Built in the early 1700s, the Van Veghten House served as the headquarters for Quartermaster General Nathaniel Greene during the Middlebrook Cantonment of 1778-1779. The house is one of five surviving homes in Somerset County known as “The Five Generals Houses” that were used by Washington and his generals during the Middlebrook Encampment. The Van Veghten House has stood on the north bank of the Raritan River for 300 years since it was built by Michael Van Veghten. Now a stately two story brick home, the house was originally a one and one half story dwelling that was enlarged to two and one half stories after the Revolution. In the 1830s the home was updated to the Greek Revival style by Richard Van Veghten.

Located in the oldest section of the house are two museum rooms featuring collections of hand tools and Native American stone artifacts. The site is adjacent to The Finderne Wetlands Mitigation project of the Army Corp of Engineers. So there is proximity to hiking trails, several fields for sports, and bird watching. Today, the site houses the offices of the Somerset County Historical Society, which manages the property and hosts walking tours and special events throughout the year. There is also a small native plant garden and a geocache at the site.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO

• Take a guided tour of the house learn about its role during the American Revolution and World War I, including its distinguished guests
• Learn more about the history of Somerset County or your own family history at the research library and archive
• Take a walking tour of the Wetlands Mitigation Area