Borden's Towne

Settled 1682

Help us finish Clara's renovations

Although we've made significant progress, many other costly renovations are needed. Click through to donate.

The BHS is proud to offer our Historic House Plaque Program

Click here for more information.
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    Preserve Our History

    The BHS’s top priority is to preserve Bordentown’s rich history. These efforts are supported by our members, fundraising events and historic preservation grants.
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    Inspire Our Community

    Our events are more than just preservation fundraising. We enrich and inspire the Bordentown community and its connection to our small town’s huge historic impact.
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    Grow our Future

    History doesn’t end with our generation! Our goal is to develop preservation programs with longevity and excite the next generation of historians to carry our efforts forward.

    Articles of Interest

    George Raymond: A Captain of Integrity

    The legacy of George Raymond began with a wintry gale as the hard pounding surf crashed against his ship, the Atalanta, off the coast of Cape May in December of 1844.
    Read the story 

    Once Upon a Time Came Standard Time

    Through the span of our existence, the need to measure time has gone from the development of the ancient sundials to the synchronization of digital clocks. Surprisingly, time was taken for granted until a railroad man figured out a solution.
    Read the story 

    Perseverance Dyed in the Wool

    Boarding the train in 1852, Clara Barton never expected that her temporary residency in Bordentown would alter the trajectory of her career- and change our nation forever.
    Read the story 

    The Winds of Dissension 

    The son of our namesake founder, Joseph Borden, Jr. helped draft the Continental Congress’ formal Declaration of Rights and Grievances against Great Britain’s punitive Stamp Act.
    Read the story 

    The Clara Barton Schoolhouse Needs Your Help!

    Our historic Schoolhouse is in need of significant restoration so that it will become a first class museum and teaching facility honoring the incredible Clara Barton, a true American icon. Clara taught at this school initially for no money and in so doing established the first public school in New Jersey.

    Through the generosity of many individuals, we completed the first phase of significant preservation work on the Schoolhouse, guided by archaeological research. This included installing a new wood shingle roof with protective treatment, repairing exterior woodwork, and the addition of historically accurate plantings.

    The BHS was awarded a New Jersey Historic Trust Grant, allowing us to continue the planned restoration phases. The grant will fund professional services needed for the construction of a restroom, as well as the installation of HVAC and lighting.

    There is still so much to do so please consider supporting this valiant and important project by donating to the BHS.

    Donate
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    The mystery of Joseph Bonaparte's paintings

    In 1939, six paintings that once belonged to Joseph Bonaparte were left to the Trenton Free Public Library by the Estate of Edward Stokes. They were never specifically identified nor recorded at the time, and were apparently “loaned out” around the city. Many attempts were made over the years to identify these mystery pieces.

    In this video, former Trentoniana archivist Laura Poll discusses the process that has positively identified three, and how two more were recently discovered quite by accident in the office of one of the city’s oldest churches.