Location
Texier House Museum
10 Mountain Boulevard
watchung, NJ 07069-6462
Cost
Free
Additional Information
Sponsor Name: Watchung Historical Committee
Sponsor Phone: (908) 765-0080 Ext 232
Age recommendation: 10-12, 13 and up, All Ages
Description
The Texier House Museum is Watchung’s central location for history, photos, fun facts and artifacts. Visit and investigate each of the six rooms independently or together, speak with tour guides and learn about the many wonderful tales from Watchung’s (nearly) 100-year history!
The Texier House Museum will be open:
Oct. 8: 10 am - 5 pm (Somerset County Weekend Journey Through the Past)
Oct. 9: 12 - 4 pm (Somerset County Weekend Journey Through the Past) Bob Mayer, author of "Historic Tales of Watchung" and other books on the American Revolution, will be signing books and offering unique insights on Watchung and the Texier House
Oct. 16: 2 - 4 pm
Nov. 6 and 13: 2 - 4 pm
Dec. 4: 2 - 4 pm
Be sure to check the Watchung Borough webpage for updates, special events, openings or even closings.
Admission is free but donations are accepted.
Exhibit highlights at the Texier House Museum include:
* Displays on World War I and II. Operate a preserved hand-cranked siren that was meant to warn the residents of Watchung if any Nazi boats had stormed NJ's shores.
* A history of Watchung and Best Lakes, which were used for ice harvesting.
* Meat scale and well pump from O’Connors Restaurant, and memorabilia from Lake Edge, the Colorado Cafe and Washington House Restaurants.
* A display on Adella (Tiby) Wotherspoon, the youngest survivor of the General Slocum Disaster of 1904 where 1,021 of the 1,331 passengers died in New York City’s East River.
* Display showcasing athletes of the borough, including sports memorabilia from New York Giants legend Bobby Thomson.
* A history of Hippolyte Texier, a glove manufacturer who lived in the Texier House Museum.
* Then and Now: An exhibit on historic homes from the 1700s, 1800s and 1900s, as well as local businesses.
* A copy of the original hand-written diary of Captain William Parlin (father-in-law of Congressman Eaton), who led the first Black battalion of soldiers during the Civil War.
* Restored stained glass skylight and other artifacts and photos from the Moldenke Castle.
* Props and photos from the Legend of Watchung Pageant, which was performed between 1911 and 1936, with a special performance in 1964 in celebration of New Jersey’s Tercentenary.