Somerville: History and Downtown

Somerville combines a rich local history with a lively business district. For your stay, you can therefore focus on two areas: historic sites and Downtown’s events. Its history ranges from George Washington’s winter headquarters to a 19th-century firehouse. Downtown, in turn, is a gathering place for residents, shoppers, and visitors from Somerville, Somerset County, and Central New Jersey.

Historic Sites and Their Stories

Wallace House served as General George Washington’s winter headquarters during the Middlebrook Cantonment of 1778–79. From there, the commander in chief received foreign dignitaries and planned military strategies. Two aspects are therefore central to understanding this site: military planning and meetings with guests from abroad. If you are interested in the history of this period, these connections offer a clear thematic starting point.

Other sites have their own distinct focus. The present-day Historic Somerset County Courthouse has been a landmark in Somerville, the county seat, since its completion in 1909. The Somerville Exempt Fire Museum is housed in a restored firehouse built in 1888. At the Old Dutch Parsonage, religious history and its connection to Rutgers take center stage: the house was home to ministers of the Dutch Reformed churches of the Raritan River Valley and hosted the founder and first president of Rutgers. The subjects covered range from county history and firefighting to churches and Rutgers.

Tours of the Daniel Robert House are available by appointment. Be sure to arrange your visit in advance.

Downtown Somerville and Events

Downtown Somerville offers shopping and dining events, cultural celebrations, concerts, and festivals. There are also walking tours, historic bicycle races, and public art events. Among the bicycle races is the Tour of Somerville, the oldest bicycle race in the country. The events offer something for a range of interests: you might be interested in a concert or festival, or in a tour or bicycle race.

The Division Street pedestrian plaza is one event venue. It is used for concerts, events, and performances, and also serves as an art walk. Demonstrations and other activities are held there as well. If you have a particular concert, festival, or tour in mind, check the date in advance.

Getting There and Getting Around

The Raritan Valley Line stops at Somerville station. It is only one block from Downtown Somerville, making it an easy-to-find reference point for reaching the business district. If you are considering taking the train, check the schedule in advance.

Several NJ Transit bus routes serve the area around Downtown Somerville. If you plan to travel by bus, it is also helpful to check the schedules before your trip. This lets you plan your journey around the available services without assuming a particular travel time.

To help choose a focus for your stay, consider the distinction between Downtown and the historic sites: events and public activities take center stage in the business district, while the houses and courthouse mentioned here represent different chapters in local history. If you want to attend a particular Downtown event, check its date. Arrange your visit to the Daniel Robert House in advance.

Explore more destinations: South Bound Brook, North Plainfield, Manville, Green Brook Township, Franklin Township, Branchburg Township, Bernardsville, Liberty Corner

For the broader travel overview: Somerset.