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| Bordentown Historical
Society Self-Guided Walking Tour Section I 1 Old City Hall 11 Crossruicks Street Headquarters of the Bordentown Historical Society and Official State Visitors Center. This brick Romanesque like building was the City's second city hall; a town landmark with the Queen Anne clock tower and Seth Thomas clock. The clock is dedicated to the late Bordentonian William F. Allen designer of standard time. 2 St. Mary's Catholic Church 45 Crosswicks Street On land purchased from Francis Hopkinson the Catholic Parish erected this Gothic Revival building in 1870. The rose window, heavy buttresses and elaborate tracery are evidences of the Gothic Revival style. Money was raised from a parish fair and special collections. Because surrounding properties could not be purchased at the time of construction. The building was angled from the street line. 3 B'Nai Abraham Synagogue |
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4 Clara Barton Schoolhouse Crosswicks & Burlington Streets The first successful tax-supported school in NJ, it was here that Clara Barton demonstrated in 1852 and 1858 that free public schools would work. The simple gabled building houses many interesting items including Miss Barton's original desk. Open by appointment. 5 Monastery of St. Clare Crosswicks Street Originally the Mother House of the Sisters of Mercy, it, cornerstone was laid in 1385. The convent was called St. Joseph's and for many years a Roman Catholic School, open to all creeds, was conducted here. Eventually the property was turned over to the Poor Clares, a cloistered order. The Byzantine type Chapel was added in 1931. 6 The Gilder House Crosswicks Street Richard Watson Gilder (1844-1909) noted poet, author, and editor of Century Magazine was born in this house which was built in two stages. The earlier section c. 1725, was built in the style of an English yeoman's house, the later two-story addition was added in 1788 by Samuel Rodgers. The Gilder Family presented this house and the surrounding 13 acres to the city in 1935. Tours are presented by appointment. -Note the lovely boxwoods surrounding the front yard, wander around back and rest in the quiet city park located behind the house. |
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Union Street from Crosswicks to Farnsworth provides the viewer with a variety of architectural influences from post World War 11 Bungalows to Victorians with Eastlake porches and Queen Anne towers. Take a moment to spot the different styles. Number 73 is the first Eastlake porch distinguished by its open cut wood trim. The most prominent style on the street is the Bungalow (seen at numbers 62, 50, 48, 47, 45 & 39). An early twentieth century style the Bungalow consists of a 1-1/2 story high house with a large front or encircling porch. Sears Roebuck spread the style by offering several models in its mail order catalogue. |
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| Number 63 flaunts the Neo Georgian Revival details often seen in the late 19th and early 20th century with its elaborate swan neck pediment over the front door and the dentilated cornice. Houses #56 and 59 are good examples of Sears Roebuck four squares. Both numbers 8 and 4 are lovely examples of the Queen Anne style with asymmetric floor plans, a combination of exterior siding materials and decoration, stained glass windows, comical roof towers and large porches. 1, 3 and 5 are simpler examples of the same style. |
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7 The Bordentown Public Library 18 East Union Street Located in the center of Union Street it houses a special collection of books and records featuring stories of Bordentown. It is a branch of the Burlington County Library. The building is the perfect example of the early 20th century Classic Revival style. Its symmetric facade, broken pediment over the entrance, gable-end chimneys, keystones in the window lentils and oversized classic details at the cornice all comprise the elements of the style. It is a well proportioned handsome building. At the corner of Union Street and Farnsworth Avenue one is torn as to which direction he should head. Turning east towards Chestnut Street the explorer will find numerous gracious homes of varying vintage and style: |
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