2. Proprietary House HS/HM 149 Kearny Ave Perth Amboy, NJ · Map A Tel: (732) 826-5527 Hours: Wed 10am-4pm or by appointment Admission: $2 adults, $1 children under 12; $15 per tour group Tours: Adults, children and school tour programs Rental: Yes HCA: Yes Parking: Lot for cars and buses Built between 1762 and 1764, this National Register building was home to William Franklin, the last Royal Governor of New Jersey. It is the only remaining official governor's residence in the original Thirteen Colonies. The Royal Governors Mansion is operated by the Proprietary House Association which is charged with restoration, programming and interpretation of the historic site, is owned by the State of New Jersey, and is administered by the Division of Parks and Forestry, Department of Environmental Protection. Return to Top

Proprietary House

Conference House

3. Conference House HS 7455 Hylan Boulevard Tottenville, Staten Island, NY · Map A Tel: (718) 984-6046 Hours: Fri-Sun 1pm-4pm, April through December 15 Admission: $3 Adults, $2 Children and Seniors HCA: No Parking: Lot for cars and buses Shortly after the fall of New York to the British, the Conference House was the site of peace talks between General Howe and three prominent representatives of the Continental Congress-Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Edward Rutledge. Having beaten the Americans and taken the key city, Howe thought he was entitled to a peace settlement. He asked for a conference and representatives in Congress of New England, the middle colonies, and the South, were brought over on a boat from Perth Amboy. The Americans, having declared independence in July, considered separation from England as non-negotiable. The conference ended and the war continued for seven years. The house was built by British naval Captain Christopher Billop in about 1680, and was owned by his great-grandson of the same name during the revolution. The house is something of a testament to the difficulty the British had in holding the many miles of shore in the New York area during the long war. The younger Mr. Billop, a Tory colonel, was twice captured by parties of Americans raiding across the Arthur Kill from New Jersey. After the two episodes, Col. Billop gave up trying to live in what is now the southernmost point of New York City. Sponsored by Donald J. Peck. Return to Top

4. Saint Peter's Episcopal Church HS/HG 179 Rector Street Perth Amboy, NJ · Map A Tel: (732) 826-9033 Hours: Call for information HCA: Yes Parking: Street and lot St Peter's Episcopal Church is the oldest Episcopal parish in New Jersey, with its first service dating back to 1685. The current church was designed in the Gothic Revival architectural style by local architect and brick manufacturer Alfred Hull, and was built in 1852. Especially significant are the stained glass windows that combine biblical and colonial themes. The church also possesses a massive silver Communion Service, which was given by Queen Anne. During the Revolutionary War, the church and its graveyard were occupied by British and American Troops. The church contains tombstones of many of the early settlers and prominent citizens including the first black voter, Thomas "Mundy" Peterson, and Rev. Robert McKean, founder of the N.J. Medical Society, the country's oldest medical association. Return to Top

St. Peter's Episcopal Church

5. Old Perth Amboy: The Walking Tour Map A Tours: A self-guided walking tour brochure is available at Proprietary House, Kearny Cottage, as well as some of the other buildings that serve the public HCA: Some sites Parking: Lots and street parking Perth Amboy's founding dates to earliest Colonial times, in the 1670s. An excellent walking tour of the waterfront area uses 59 of the city's historic, cultural and ecological sites to tell the visitor about the town's interesting and colorful past. See separate listings for Market Square, Surveyor General's Office, Perth Amboy-Tottenville Ferry Slip, Perth Amboy City Hall, St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Proprietary House, and Kearny Cottage. All of these Sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. Return to Top

6. Perth Amboy City Hall HS Market Square/Market Street Perth Amboy, NJ · Map A Tel: (732) 826-0290 Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Admission: None Tours: See listing for "Old Perth Amboy" for more information Parking: Nearby Perth Amboy City Hall is the oldest public building in continuous use in the United States. The original structure was built in 1714-17 but is now concealed with 19th and 20th century additions. Thomas "Mundy" Peterson, the first black voter in the United States under the 15th Amendment, cast his history-making ballot here on March 31, 1870. Return to Top

Perth Amboy City Hall

Perth Amboy Market Square

7. Perth Amboy Market Square HS Market Square/Market Street Perth Amboy, NJ · Map A Admission: None Tours: See listing for "Old Perth Amboy" Parking: Street Stand on a spot where over 300 years of history has taken place. A space 330 feet on each side, at the intersection of the town's two main roadways, was set aside in 1684 by the demand of the East Jersey Proprietors. Originally used as a market, now serving as a park, the square still provides a delightful historic ambiance. Return to Top

8. Surveyor General's Office HS Market Square/Market Street Perth Amboy, NJ · Map A Tours: See listing for "Old Perth Amboy" for more information Parking: Street This two-room brick building was built in 1867 to serve as a meeting place and record archive of the General Board of Proprietors of the Eastern Division of New Jersey, representing the landlords of the colonial province of East New Jersey. The Board was established in 1684 as the Perth Amboy-based representative of the early Proprietors, most of whom continued to live in Scotland and England; and continued its existence through changes in New Jersey's status from proprietary colony to royal colony and then to statehood. The Board dissolved itself in 1998, after a stint of 304 years, making it one of the oldest continuously operating corporations in the United States, perhaps exceeded only by Harvard College. The building has Greek Revival and Romanesque architectural qualities. Return to Top

Surveyor General's Office

Perth Amboy Tottenville Ferry Slip

9. Perth Amboy Tottenville Ferry Slip HS Foot of Smith Street Perth Amboy, NJ · Map A Hours: Summer Admission: None Tours: See listing for "Old Perth Amboy" Parking: Lot The site of ferry service to Staten Island dates to 1684 when the likes of Ben Franklin and the Lenape Indians used its service to traverse the Arthur Kill. The service closed in 1963. The ferry slip was restored in 1998 to its 1904 appearance. A replica of the ticket office has been constructed and used as a small museum. Return to Top

10. The Raritan Yacht Club HS 160 Water Street Perth Amboy, NJ · Map A Tel: (732) 826-2277 Hours: Yearly social schedule Parking: Street The Raritan Yacht Club, one of the oldest in America, was established in 1865. The house, grounds, and dock were purchased in 1916 from the Cooper Estate. The club has had many champions in national sailing events and several champions in the international field. Return to Top

The Raritan Yacht Club