Downtown Bordentown Association

40 Thomas Burchanan Read House
15 Farnsworth Avenue
One of the oldest homes in town built soon after 1750. It is rumored that General George Washington was entertained here. The house is named after one of its owners who wrote Sheridan's Ride. It is a classic Federal house with a Philadelphia 3 bay side hall plan. There are later alterations but the raised water table and the string course between the first and second levels are 18th century features.

41 17 Farnsworth Avenue
Built in 1818. this beautiful brick building was once the home of General Thomas D. Landon. Headmaster of the Bordentown Military Institute. During World War II it was used as dormitory. Like its neighbor, various occupants added their own period's styles. This house has been greatly altered in the last quarter of the 19th century as evidenced by the strong Victorian details of mansard roof, bracketed cornices, side porch and decorative dormers.

42 19 Farnsworth Avenue
This brick and clapboard house built by Joseph Hopkinson about 1820 in the Federal style was also extensively renovated around 1900. The bay window, dormers, side porch, and side entrance, all features of Colonial Revival architecture, were added at that time.

43 Stephen Sayre House
25 Farnsworth Avenue
Home of Stephen Sayre former Lord Major of London, this building was moved from its original location in the Bonaparte Park to its present site. Sayre sold his estate to Joseph Bonaparte. The mansard roofline and distinctive arched dormer windows are notable.

44 First Bank
This building, built in 1850 was originally the home of the Bordentown Banking Company (The Bank of Mid Jersey). It has since been converted to a residence, note the massive front doors and drop pendant cornice moldings. It is Italianate and has an appearance that conveys permanence.

45 Joseph Borden House
32 Farnsworth Avenue
The present structure was built on the ruins of the original home of Colonel Joseph Borden. The first homestead was burned in June 1775 by the British as a retaliatory measure. The house features heavy Georgian details in the treatment of the doorway, window lintels and roof cornice. It is very symmetrical. The most notable feature on the property is the ironwork "wheat sheaves" fence, one of the finest examples in the State. The side porch has cast iron columns.

At the corner of Farnsworth and Park turn left down Park Street and head left onto Second Street. Notice the old Firehouse at #36 Second. Another good example of sensitive adaptive reuse, it is now a private residence. At the corner of Thompson and Second there is an old store, an interesting building which is also a private residence. Before you turn down Thompson Street go to the end of Second and take a few moments to rest in the Hilltop park with its lovely view of the river.

46 Thompson Street
Behind Park Street between Second and Third Streets
This narrow street was believed to be created to accommodate the influx of working class in the early 1800's. This theory is supported by the small size and common age of the houses and the proximity to the riverfront. In the middle to late 1800's with the building of the canal and railroad Thompson Street became known as "Irish Town'". Saturday nights local magistrates would close down the street because of the rowdy parties. The street today is a pure sampling of 19th Century wood-frame architecture and boasts a very active and proud neighborhood.
At the corner of Thompson Street and Third turn right towards Park.

47 Site of the Bordentown
Military Institute Old Main Park Street
Destroyed by fire in the early '80's."Old Main" was the center of campus life The Institute was recognized nationally as one of the finest military schools of its time. Suffering from the decline of military-based education the school merged in 1972 with the Lenox School located in New England and subsequently disbanded. The
Alumni Association is still active, holding periodic reunions in the
Bordentown area. Currently a developer is planning construction of
condominiums on the site.
At the corner of Park and Third one must make another decision ... items 48 through 51 are located east on Park Street where there is no sidewalk. Also it is quite a walk and there is a steep hill coming back. If you choose not to tackle this part of the tour turn right on Park and pick up the tour at number 52 in the guide.

48 Original Gates of Point Breeze
Park Street
Through the trees look carefully to see the main gates to the Bonaparte Estate. Early pictures show this as a grand avenue beautifully landscaped.

49 Bonaparte Park Garden House
Park Street
The only original Bonaparte building still standing, this is now part of the Divine Word Mission. The house has peculiar proportions. Its symmetry, end chimneys, graduated window sizes, entrance and raised basement level suggest an 18th Century Georgian structure underneath. A beautiful iron gate entrance remains.

50 Divine Word Missionary
Site of Joseph Bonaparte's Castle and Residence
Bonaparte's original mansion overlooked the Delaware at Point Breeze. It was destroyed by fire in 1820 and was rebuilt by Bonaparte. Subsequent owners tore down Bonaparte's second home replacing it with another grand building. That residence was also unfortunately destroyed by fire in 1982. A Bonaparte mantle is on display at the Burlington County Historical Society.

51 The Anderson Mansion
100 Park Street
This mansion built in 1910 by George G. Anderson, Superintendent of the Bordentown Worsted Mills (now Ocean Spray) remained in the Anderson family until recently. The exterior bricks and materials for the living room fireplace were imported from England. Solid plaster walls and ceilings are stenciled and painted with frescos by artists from John Wanamakers in Philadelphia. Four tenths of an acre on the north side of the house has been dedicated to the City as a memorial to the Anderson family and to protect the mature trees there.

52 Joseph Hopkinson's House
63 Park Street
Once owned by Joseph Hopkinson author of "Hail Columbia" and son of Francis Hopkinson. The home was also owned by Bonaparte's physician in 1820 and served as part of the Bordentown Military Institute campus.
At one time the house was whitewashed to hid the alterations of later years. Look closely now - because the bricks tell a story of the buildings changes from a smaller side hall house to its present day
appearance. Also worth noting are the decoratively laid Flemish bond bricks on the earliest sections of the house.

53 Park Street Hamlet
A recent addition to Bordentown these "new" townhouses compliment the architectural style of the surrounding buildings while providing its occupants with new construction features. They repeat the 2'/2 story side hall plan, classic detailing, dormers and entrance porches found all over town.

54 Linden Hall
47-53 Park Street
Home of Prince Lucien Murat who with Madame Caroline Murat operated a world famous boarding school at this location. Now a row of separate private homes of many styles.

55 Francis Hopkinson House
101 Farnsworth Avenue
Built in 1750, this house became the home of Francis Hopkinson and his bride Anne Borden in 1768. Signer of the Declaration of Independence, and author of the poem "The Battle of the Kegs", Francis Hopkinson was also the first student enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania. The house was spared burning by the British in 1778 because of a Hessian Officer's appreciation for Hopkinson's library. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. Like many houses in town it has undergone numerous changes. The 18th century Hopkinson house was originally only two stories with a gable roof. Flemish bond brick, a pent roof and a patterned end wall were added in 1850. The construction date is visible on the side wall facing Park Street. The mansard roof on was added in 1902. The entrance however remains unaltered.

56 Patience Wright House
100 Farnsworth Avenue
Home of the first woman sculptress. Patience Wright was also an American spy in London during the Revolution. This building through the years has been a private residence, a fashionable boarding house and a doctor's office. It's roof cornice and dormers are unaltered and maintain their elegant Federal details.
57 Masonic Hall
119 Farnsworth Avenue At one time this building was the first movie house in town, it later housed the Post Office. The Masons moved into the building in 1856.

58 Thomas Paine House
2 West Church Street Corner of Farnsworth and Church
Although radically altered and sided this simple 3 bay 2 1/2 story side hall plan of this house is still risible on the second story attic levels of the Farnsworth Avenue facade. The downtown architecture here is varied. Styles range from Italianate to Queen Anne and Tudor Revival to 20th Century moderne. The downtown is alive with texture, details, color and visual diversity. Please feel free to stop along the route and browse in the shops and restaurants.

59 Horse Trough
Center of Crosswicks Street at Farnsworth Avenue
Erected in 1914 by the Alumni of The Bordentown Female College (1851-1891), the trough has recently been placed on the small island to protect it against modern day transportation.

You have now completed the tour and are near the Visitors' Center where you began.
Despite your tired feet, we hope you have enjoyed our City.

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