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History, Heroism, and Books: Inside the Raritan Public Library

There is something special about getting lost in a good book. But at the Raritan Public Library, you don’t just read history—you are sitting inside of it.

Located in Somerset County, this library isn’t housed in a sterile municipal building. It occupies the General John Frelinghuysen House, a structure that evolved from a rough-hewn pioneer dwelling into a stately Federal mansion. With its exposed beams, original hearths, and cozy nooks, it feels less like a public institution and more like a welcoming home.

A House Built in Layers

The building is a timeline of New Jersey architecture, constructed in stages over nearly a century.

• The West Wing (Early 1700s): The oldest section is the small frame wing on the left. Built by early Dutch settler Cornelius Middaugh, local lore suggests this modest structure may have served as a tavern, a public meeting hall, or even a jail before it was a home.
• The Brick House (c. 1740–1780): The main section was constructed using “Flemish bond” brickwork. It was originally only one story high with an attic.
• The Federal Makeover (c. 1810): When General John Frelinghuysen owned the home, he raised the roof to create a full second story, giving the house the Federal-style appearance it has today.
• The Portico (1850): The grand front porch with its four fluted Doric columns was added later. The columns are said to represent four ideals: Equality, Liberty, Freedom, and Law.

The Frelinghuysen Dynasty

The house is named for the prominent New Jersey family that occupied it for generations.

Colonel Frederick Frelinghuysen purchased the property in the late 18th century. A graduate of Princeton (then the College of New Jersey), he was a Revolutionary War officer, a member of the Continental Congress, and a U.S. Senator. His father and brothers were instrumental in founding Queen’s College, which we now know as Rutgers University.

His son, General John Frederick Frelinghuysen, inherited the house in 1804. A lawyer and commander of the NJ State Militia during the War of 1812, John is responsible for the home’s grand expansion.

From Homestead to Library

In 1970, the property returned to the family’s hands one last time. Peter H.B. Frelinghuysen (a former NJ Congressman) purchased the ancestral home and generously donated it to the Borough of Raritan.

The renovation was a masterclass in adaptive reuse. Dilapidated rear additions were removed, but the historic core was lovingly restored.

• The Children’s Room: Located in the oldest section of the house, this room features low, exposed ceiling beams and the original cooking hearth and bake oven. It is arguably the coziest place in the state to read a picture book.

The Hero of Raritan: John Basilone

While the first floor is dedicated to colonial history, the second floor honors a different kind of patriot.

The library houses a museum room dedicated to Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone, a Raritan native and a legend of the United States Marine Corps.

• Guadalcanal: In 1942, Basilone held off 3,000 Japanese troops with his machine gun section (which was eventually reduced to just him and two others). For his bravery, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
• Iwo Jima: After a hero’s tour of the US, Basilone insisted on returning to combat. He was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945, posthumously earning the Navy Cross.

He is the only enlisted Marine in WWII to receive both decorations. The library’s collection includes photographs, newspaper clippings, and memorabilia celebrating his life. Every September, the borough hosts a massive parade in his honor, a tradition that began with his “Welcome Home” parade in 1943.

If You Visit

• Location: 54 East Somerset Street, Raritan, NJ 08869.
• Access: The library is open to the public. You do not need a library card to enter and view the architecture or the Basilone exhibits.
• Don’t Miss: The fireplace in the Children’s Room (the former tavern/kitchen area).

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For More Information

Raritan Public Library (www.raritanlibrary.org)