Center of the Watchung Circle and Watchung’s History!
10 Mountain Boulevard, Watchung, NJ

The Texier House Museum is Watchung’s central location for history, photos, fun facts, and artifacts. Visit and investigate each of the 6 rooms independently or together, speak with our tour guides, and learn about the many wonderful tales from Watchung’s (nearly) 100 year history!

The Texier House Museum is typically open the 1st & 3rd Sunday of each month from 2pm to 4pm, but be sure to periodically check the main calendar for any updates or event closings. Admission is FREE. Donations are always greatly appreciated.

The Museum is staffed by volunteers of the Historical Committee. It is a work-in-progress and donations of artifacts, old photos, and monetary donations are always welcomed to enhance the displays. They work very hard to preserve and protect Watchung’s history. They have set up an additional page where you can find more historical information: https://www.watchunghistory.org/

Also see: 
https://www.facebook.com/TexierHouseMuseum 

Exhibit Highlights at the Texier House Museum include:

• Displays on World War I & II. Operate a preserved hand cranked siren that was meant to warn the residents of Watchung if any Nazi boats had stormed NJ shores.
• A history of Watchung and Best Lakes, which were used for ice harvesting.
• Meat scale and well pump from O’Connor’s 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 1700’s, 1800’s, and 1900’s, 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.

Historic Tales of Watchung: Written by Revolutionary War detective Robert Mayers, this book revisits the earliest days of Watchung, its role in the Revolutionary War, and some of its more recent history. $25.

Images of America, Watchung: Written by David Page, this book contains a vast collection of photographs of historic Watchung. $20.

Bill Titus's Paintings: Original paintings by Bill Titus of scenes of historic Watchung can be found in the Watchung Police Station and Borough Hall. Some of these unique paintings have been reproduced into postcards. Postcards contain eight different scenes. $15.

These items can be purchased at the Texier House via cash or check at one of our Open Houses. For purchases and donations made via check, please make payable to Watchung Community Foundation and in the memo note “Watchung Historic Preservation Fund”.

The Historical Committee will preserve and protect the history of the Borough of Watchung. The Committee is to maintain the Texier House as a local museum containing all artifacts and material pertaining to the history of the Borough of Watchung. The Committee is to remain dedicated to the maintenance of an accurate history of the Borough and seek to document all information collected. The Committee must continue to gather current items which may be of future interest and appropriately catalog and store such items. The Committee shall provide a yearly summary of Borough activities to provide an ongoing and accurate history for the future. The Committee will conduct programs, as necessary, to educate citizens on the rich history of this area and to encourage residents' participation. The Committee will seek to maintain high interest in historic homes and sites in the Borough to preserve our heritage.

• In 2016, the Texier Museum received the History Award from the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission.
• Participant in Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commissions “Journey Through the Past” since 2016.
• Member: League of Historical Societies of New Jersey.

Authority: Code 2-43

Members: 9 Regular Members for term of 1-year, and 2 Alternates for term of 1-year, and 1 Council Member as Liaison. Appointed by Mayor with Council consent, must be residents.

Liaison: Paul Fischer

15 Mountain Boulevard

Watchung, NJ 07069

P: (908) 756-0080

Email: [email protected]
*These are volunteer organizations and emails are checked by Borough Volunteers