In the heart of Woodbury, New Jersey, just a block from the historic Gloucester County Court House, sits a stately home with a distinctive mansard roof. To the passerby, it’s a beautiful piece of architecture. To the history lover, it is a treasure chest.
Since 1924, this building has served as the headquarters of the Gloucester County Historical Society (GCHS). While many local museums focus on a single era, the Hunter-Lawrence-Jessup House covers the full sweep of American history—from the “Tea Burners” of the Revolution to the very night Abraham Lincoln was assassinated.
Here is why this unsung museum needs to be on your radar.
A House with a Naval Hero’s Legacy
The house itself is an artifact. The original section was built in 1765 by John Sparks, a prominent figure in the Revolutionary War era. However, the home’s most famous resident might be a young man whose words are still shouted in the U.S. Navy today.
In 1798, the home was purchased by the Lawrence family. Living here was James Lawrence, who attended the nearby Woodbury Academy. Years later, during the War of 1812, Captain Lawrence would command the USS Chesapeake. Mortally wounded in battle, his dying command became legendary: “Don’t Give Up The Ship!”
While Lawrence didn’t utter those words in this house, the museum preserves his legacy, including a childhood drawing of a ship—proof that his naval ambitions started right here in Woodbury.
Witness to Tragedy: The Lincoln Chair
On the second floor, amidst a collection of military artifacts ranging from the Revolution to WWII, sits a chilling piece of history: Chair 425 from Ford’s Theater.
This armless cane-seat chair was present in the theater on April 14, 1865—the night President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. While the famous rocker Lincoln sat in is located in a museum in Michigan, this chair was part of the theater’s seating that night, bearing silent witness to the tragedy that changed America.
It was acquired by David O. Watkins, a former Mayor of Woodbury and Acting Governor of New Jersey, before being donated to the Society in 1950.
The Hearth Where Betsy Ross (Likely) Married
Venturing into the basement, you will find massive architectural remnants that have been saved from demolition. The centerpiece is a reconstructed hearth from Hugg’s Tavern.
Built around 1720 in nearby Gloucester City, the tavern was a hub of colonial life. According to strong local tradition and historical consensus, this tavern was where Betsy Ross (then Elizabeth Griscom) married John Ross on November 4, 1773, after eloping across the Delaware River.
When the tavern was demolished in 1927, the bricks were carefully numbered, dismantled, and reassembled here. You can stand before the very same hearth that likely warmed the most famous flag-maker in American history.
Folk Art and ” The Raccoon”
Also in the basement is a delightful piece of political folk art: a sheet-iron weather vane featuring a raccoon. Dating to roughly 1840, it originally stood in Harrisonville (formerly Colestown).
Why a raccoon? In the 19th century, the raccoon was a symbol associated with the Whig Party and the 1840 presidential campaign of William Henry Harrison (the “Log Cabin and Hard Cider” candidate). The weather vane was likely a homeowner’s way of flashing their political allegiance—the 1840 equivalent of a yard sign!
White Lace and Samplers
The museum is renowned for its textile collection. While their popular “White Lace and Promises” exhibit has concluded, the Society maintains a vast archive of wedding gowns dating back to the 1810s, including hand-sewn silk plaid dresses and Victorian-era finery.
Perhaps even more impressive is the Sampler Collection. The museum displays over thirty intricate needlework samplers, some stitched by girls as young as eight years old in the early 1800s. These weren’t just art; they were resumes of skill and discipline. The Society actively researches the lives of the young girls who created them, turning anonymous needlepoint into personal biographies.
The Research Library
Behind the museum stands a separate fireproof library that is a mecca for genealogists. It houses one of the largest collections of genealogical and historical materials in South Jersey. If your family has roots in Gloucester, Salem, or Camden counties, the answer to your “brick wall” might be sitting on these shelves.
If You Visit
The museum is a self-guided experience with helpful docents available to answer questions.
- Location: 58 N. Broad Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096
- Museum Admission: Free (Donations are greatly appreciated to help preserve these artifacts).
- Library Admission: $5.00 for non-members; Free for members.
- Hours:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Last Sunday of the month: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Contact: 856-848-8531 or visit www.gchsnj.org
Note: Hours can change, so we always recommend checking their website or calling ahead before making the trip.
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