Bedminster Township’s Vanderveer Knox House

UPDATE: July 31, 2025:
A new Bedminster Township-led commission has taken over the property and its contents, creating a new mission to preserve and promote the Vanderveer House and Museum in Bedminster Township, New Jersey. Learn More

Bedminster’s Jacobus Vanderveer House – Knox Wartime Residence

During the winter of 1778-1779, the main Continental Army under George Washington established its winter encampment near Middlebrook, New Jersey. Over 8,000 infantry and artillery personnel spent approximately six months at this location. The Continental Artillery Park was located at Pluckemin, New Jersey, several miles north of the infantry camps. At this location, the artillerists constructed barracks for nearly 1,000 men and established a depot, repair facilities, and an academy for artillery officers. The Army abandoned this encampment in June 1779. In the 1980s, archaeological excavations by Rutgers University exposed remains of the “Artillery Park” and recovered thousands of artifacts.

The Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House played a central role in preserving and restoring the historic Bedminster property, beginning with its acquisition by the township of Bedminster in 1989. Partnering with the township and the Bedminster Historical Commission, the Friends helped secure funding and support for the restoration of the home. In the early 2000s, they received a significant grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust to initiate major structural and interior restoration work, thereby restoring the house to its 19th-century Federal-style appearance. This restoration was largely completed by 2007, establishing the Vanderveer House as a public museum that honors its Revolutionary War heritage.

In addition to the house itself, the Friends have also worked to expand the site’s historical value by relocating a historic Dutch barn to the property. In 2016, they secured a $94,190 grant from Somerset County to dismantle, relocate, and initiate the restoration of the barn, to create an interpretive farmstead experience. The complete farmstead project is estimated to cost $1.7 million, with approximately $200,000 raised so far. Additional funding, including a $30,000 state grant in 2006, contributed to various phases of restoration. Through sustained fundraising and preservation efforts, the Friends have ensured that the Vanderveer House remains a vital educational and historical resource for the community.

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