The Casto House and Northfield Museum offers a rare glimpse of a historic southern New Jersey community. Like archeologists, visitors can uncover the layers of an evolving city. Northfield residents can rediscover their memories of earlier days and learn about those who came before them. Once known as Bakersville, Northfield has a multifaceted, fascinating history; from its farm, seaport, and shipbuilding beginnings to its diverse, dynamic present. The museum buildings and exhibits represent almost 200 years of people, homes, schools, businesses, places of worship, toys fashion, sports, and so much more. In 1996, the Charles Doerr family very generously donated the historic Casto House to Northfield, with the stipulation that it be moved from its New Road location. The property was being sold and the house, if not moved, would be demolished to make way for new construction. On August 22, 1996, the house was moved to Birch Grove Park, adjacent to the Northfield Museum. Four years of planning, construction, exhibit development, and renovation ensued, with the grand reopening of the Casto House and Northfield Museum held on June 25, 2000. This was the conclusion of a process, coordinated by Joyce Pullan and Roy Clark, involving the city of Northfield, suppliers, and dedicated volunteers, especially from the Northfield Cultural Committee and the Northfield Historical Society.
