The Birthplace of the State: Inside the Indian King Tavern
Pop Quiz: Where did New Jersey officially become a state?
Most people guess Trenton, Burlington, or Perth Amboy. They are wrong.
The State of New Jersey was conceived in a tavern in Haddonfield. It was here, in September 1777, that the legislature—on the run from British forces—unanimously resolved to substitute the word “State” for “Colony” in all official documents.
Today, the Indian King Tavern stands not just as a monument to colonial hospitality, but as the cradle of New Jersey’s government.
The Tavern on the King’s Highway
The building dates back to circa 1750, built by Matthias Aspden, a wealthy Philadelphia merchant. Located on the King’s Highway (the main artery between Burlington and Salem), it was a prime spot for commerce.
Originally a three-and-a-half-story brick structure, it was expanded in 1764 to include 24 rooms. This expansion created a complex building with a labyrinth of five separate cellars.
- The Beer Vault: One section of the cellar, located under the front sidewalk, features a brick curved-arch ceiling designed specifically for storing beer and wine at cool temperatures.
- The “Ark”: For much of its history, the tavern had a large addition known as the “Ark,” which served as a general store. Unfortunately, this wing was demolished during the 1908 restoration to return the building to its perceived “colonial” appearance.
The Name and the Niece
The tavern wasn’t always the “Indian King.” That name belonged to a different establishment down the street, named in honor of the Lenape chiefs who once inhabited the region. When innkeeper Hugh Creighton married the owner of the original Indian King, they moved the business—and the name—to the larger brick building we see today.
The First Lady Connection: Hugh Creighton had a famous niece: Dolley Payne, who would later become Dolley Madison, First Lady of the United States. As a teenager, Dolley frequently traveled between Philadelphia and her uncle’s tavern. Although her Quaker upbringing prohibited her from joining the tavern revelry, she reportedly loved watching the ballroom festivities from the sidelines.
The Room Where It Happened
During the Revolutionary War, Haddonfield was a strategic—and dangerous—location. The tavern was occupied alternately by Continental troops, British redcoats, and Hessian mercenaries.
But its most important moment came in 1777. With Trenton under threat, the New Jersey General Assembly fled to Haddonfield. Meeting in the second-floor assembly room, they made history three times over:
- The Declaration: They officially read the Declaration of Independence into the assembly minutes.
- The Seal: They adopted the Great Seal of the State of New Jersey (designed by Pierre Eugene du Simitiere), which is still in use today.
- The Name: On September 20, 1777, they formally declared New Jersey a sovereign state, severing the legal linguistic ties to Great Britain.
From Tavern to Temperance
In the 19th century, the building changed hands multiple times, operating as the American House and the Roberts Hotel.
In an ironic twist, Haddonfield passed a law in 1873 prohibiting the sale of alcohol. The historic tavern was forced to rebrand as the American Temperance Hotel. (To this day, Haddonfield remains a “dry” town, though local breweries and wineries have recently found loopholes).
New Jersey’s First Historic Site
Recognizing its immense significance, the State of New Jersey acquired the tavern in 1903, making it the state’s very first historic site.
Between 1908 and 1910, the state undertook a massive restoration. In a move typical of the “Colonial Revival” movement, they removed Victorian-era additions (including the “Ark”) to restore the building to its 1777 appearance. While well-intentioned, modern historians lament the loss of the “Ark,” which was a vital piece of the building’s 19th-century commercial history.
Recent Discoveries: In 2005, archaeology students excavating the rear yard discovered thousands of artifacts, including a 4,000-year-old Native American stone tool, proving that this site was a gathering place long before the first brick was laid.
If You Visit
- Location: 233 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield, NJ 08033.
- Hours: The museum is generally open for tours Wednesday through Sunday, but hours can vary.
- The Experience: Visitors can tour the cellar, the colonial kitchen, and the second-floor ballroom where New Jersey became a state.
For More Information
- The Friends of the Indian King Tavern Museum (www.indiankingfriends.org)
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