Sayreville Historical Society

Sayreville Historical Society The society meets on the second Thursday of each month, September through June at 7:00 pm. Private tours available.

The Museum is open the first and third Sundays of the month from 1:30-4 pm. In 1984, Sayreville New School No.1 became the permanent home of the Sayreville Historical Museum. The museum is located at 425 Main Street, near the corner of Pulaski Avenue and is open every Sunday from 1:30 to 4:00 PM. Docents are also available upon request to conduct group tours. If you are interesting in visiting the

museum on a day other than Sunday, please contact us by phone or email, and we would be happy to accommodate your group.

Today's Revolutionary MomentThe Sayreville Public Library is hosting "Revolutionary Lives -- Living the American Experim...
05/31/2026

Today's Revolutionary Moment

The Sayreville Public Library is hosting "Revolutionary Lives -- Living the American Experiment Then and Now". The traveling exhibition is a series of brightly-colored panels telling the stories of everyday New Jerseyans living in an extraordinary time, the American Revolution.

Too often the story of American Revolution focuses on the leaders and prominent figures. However, the Revolution contains the stories and trials of ordinary individuals whose actions and decisions made America.

If any of the 13 colonies could best tell those stories, it would be New Jersey. Our state's unique geographical position and diversity illustrates the struggles and decisions everyday people faced.

The exhibit ends tomorrow, June 1. Sponsored by RevolutionNJ, more information is available at Revnj.org/revolutionary-lives.

Today's Revolutionary MomentOn May 27, 1778, the Loyalist “Skinner’s Greens” left Sandy Hook and headed to Matawan to ca...
05/28/2026

Today's Revolutionary Moment

On May 27, 1778, the Loyalist “Skinner’s Greens” left Sandy Hook and headed to Matawan to capture John Burrowes, Jr., a Continental Army officer, and burn the mills and warehouses of his wealthy father, John Burrowes, Sr. The forces likely knew that the younger Burrowes would be visiting the family home, where his new bride, Margaret, was residing.

Instead, the American officer learned of the planned capture and escaped. At the house, the Greens encountered a defiant Margaret. She refused to give up her shawl to aid a Green injured by local patriots on the Loyalists' way to the Burrowes residence. Margaret is reported to have said, "You’ll not get my shawl or anything else here to aid a British subject.” In response, an officer struck Margaret in the chest with the hilt of his sword. The injury is reported to have plagued her the rest of her life.

The Greens ended up taking John Sr. and several others as prisoners. The Loyalist forces shot their muskets into the upper stairwell, set fire to furniture on the front lawn, and tried unsuccessfully to burn down the house.

However, the family's business buildings were destroyed by fire. The father and son ever recovered financially and died at sea several years later.

The Burrowes Mansion is now the home of the Matawan Historical Society. Holes from the musket balls can still be seen today.




Today's Revolutionary MomentGeorge Washington was a land surveyor before he became the commander of the Continental Army...
05/26/2026

Today's Revolutionary Moment

George Washington was a land surveyor before he became the commander of the Continental Army. His choice of Middlebrook, now part of Bound Brook, for an encampment illustrates his knowledge and understanding of topography.

Washington first camped at Middlebrook from May 28 - July 2, 1777 after spending the winter in Morristown. He chose the Middlebrook area for its access to fresh water, supply of wood, connection to a local road network, and its position high in the Watchung Mountains. Safely situated above, the American Army could look down on the British encamped near New Brunswickand watch any royal troops crossing the Hudson. Also important to the location choice was the friendly, local population.

During the first encampment, 8,298 American soldiers were housed, but 2,660 of them were sick or disabled. Unlike other times when Washington would rent a house for his home and headquarters, he used his tent during the first Middlebrook encampment to share his troops' discomforts.

"New Jersey in the American Revolution, 1763-1783, A Chronology by Dennis P. Ryan
"Unhappy Catastrophes" by Robert M. Dunkerly
revolutionarywarnewjersey.com
revolutionarynj.org
mrlocalhistory.org
smithsonianmag.org




A great time and a great showing today for the Sayreville Memorial Day Parade. In this year of celebrating the 250th fro...
05/25/2026

A great time and a great showing today for the Sayreville Memorial Day Parade. In this year of celebrating the 250th from the Revolutionary War and Sayreville’s 150th anniversary, this event hits even harder. Thank you to all the members nd family that were in attendance today. This is a tradition that we look forward to every year.

Monday Memory In August 1946, Sayreville welcomed home its men and women who served in World War II. Today on Memorial D...
05/25/2026

Monday Memory

In August 1946, Sayreville welcomed home its men and women who served in World War II.

Today on Memorial Day 2026, the Sayreville Historical Society remembers and honors those who didn't:

Louis M. Ciecko
William R. Creamer
Frank Czaplinski
John F. Defort
Felix J. Delikat
Francis A. Fabiszewski
Anthony M. Genus
James J. Glynn
Joseph W. Gondek
Steven F. Gwizdak
Calvin Hutson
Ellsworth Johnson
Joseph W. Kielian
Felix D. Kozekowski
John Kravchenok
Samuel T. Kulas
Peter P. Kwitkowski
Joseph A. Liszka
Leon P. Maciorowski
Raymond J. Miara
Joseph Francis Mioduski
Joseph Mochen
Robert W. Nickel
Charles F. Piech
Joseph Plewa
Joseph Prusakowski
Warren P. Robbins
Samuel Rodio
Joseph A. Roginski
Joseph P. Rosinski
John Edward Scheid
Aloysius Schmidt
Frank Schultz
Joseph Schultz
Andrew J. Seaman
Richard L. Seidler
Frank J. Slesinski
James Smith
Peter J. Solook
Alex Sosnowitz
Peter Stegiel
Walter E. Swider
John Tripsovsky
Rudolph M. Truchan
Robert D. Wilmot
Anthony P. Wisz
Fred A. Wlodarczyk
Chester E. Zaleski
Michael Zaunerowicz

On Memorial Day, the Sayreville Historical Society honors all military members who gave their lives defending our nation...
05/25/2026

On Memorial Day, the Sayreville Historical Society honors all military members who gave their lives defending our nation.

In between the burgers and parades, please take a moment or two to remember those whose sacrifice made your day possible.

history.com

Today's Revolutionary MomentUniforms were important to the Continental Army, but what about wigs? Hollywood would have y...
05/24/2026

Today's Revolutionary Moment

Uniforms were important to the Continental Army, but what about wigs? Hollywood would have you believe that Washington and his officers wore wigs into battle. Don't.

Wigs were an important fashion piece for both men and women in the 1700s. The hairpieces disguised hair loss and other disfigurements, in addition to depicting status. However, wearing full wigs into battle was another matter. They were hot, uncomfortable, itched, housed bugs, and often smelled.

Washington never wore a wig. Instead, he preferred to powder his natural red hair and pull it back tied into a queue or ponytail. Most soldiers also wore their hair tied back. Shorter-haired officers and soldiers on both sides wore false queues made of chamois leather with a tuft of hair at the end which was spliced or fastened to the scalp.

rhrli.com
battlefields.org
revolutionarywarjournal.com
history.com

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425 Main Street
Sayreville, NJ
08872

Telephone

+17323907048

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