New Jersey is a densely diverse Mid-Atlantic state known for its 130-mile Atlantic coastline, Victorian shore towns, the famous Jersey Shore boardwalks, and a rich Revolutionary War heritage. From the glittering casinos of Atlantic City and the genteel beauty of Cape May to the cultural buzz of Hoboken and the forests of the Pine Barrens, New Jersey packs extraordinary variety into one of the nation's smallest states.
New Jersey is one of the original thirteen colonies and played a decisive role in the American Revolution — more Revolutionary War battles were fought on NJ soil than in any other state. From the iconic Delaware River crossing at Washington Crossing to the winter encampments at Morristown, NJ's Revolutionary heritage is unparalleled. Before European contact, the Lenape (Delaware) people inhabited the region for over 10,000 years. Dutch and Swedish settlers established the first European communities in the 1600s, followed by British rule from 1664. After the Revolution, NJ was a frontier of industrial development — Thomas Edison's Menlo Park and West Orange laboratories made the state a crucible of American invention. In the 20th century, NJ's position between New York and Philadelphia fueled waves of immigration and suburban growth, making it the nation's most densely populated state.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped New Jersey.
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1
Giovanni da Verrazzano explores the NJ coast
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2
Henry Hudson explores Newark Bay and the Hudson River for the Dutch East India Company
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3
Swedish settlers establish Fort Christina near modern Wilmington, DE, and trade with the Lenape in southern NJ
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4
England takes NJ from the Dutch; Duke of York grants it to Berkeley and Carteret
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5
NJ signs the Declaration of Independence; Washington's army retreats across NJ; the Delaware Crossing on December 25 turns the Revolution
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6
Washington wins the Battle of Princeton (January 3); Morristown winter encampments (1777 and 1779–80)
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7
NJ becomes the 3rd state to ratify the US Constitution
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8
Thomas Edison demonstrates the incandescent light bulb at his Menlo Park laboratory
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9
Atlantic City legalizes casino gambling; Resorts International opens the first legal casino on the East Coast
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10
Hurricane Sandy devastates the Jersey Shore; major rebuilding follows
Historical eras
The chapters of New Jersey's past.
Historical sites
Places where New Jersey's past comes alive.
Morristown National Historical Park
Where: Morristown
Admission: $7/adult, free for children under 16 (nps.gov/morr)
Washington Crossing State Park
Where: Titusville
Admission: Free; parking $5/vehicle weekends
Old Barracks Museum
Where: Trenton
Admission: $10/adult, $7/child (barracks1758.org)
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
Where: West Orange
Admission: $15/adult, $10/senior, free under 15 (nps.gov/edis)
Battlefield at Princeton State Park
Where: Princeton
Admission: Free
Museums
Curated collections that tell New Jersey's story.
New Jersey State Museum
Specialty: NJ art, history, cultural heritage, and natural science
Hours: Tue–Sun 9am–4:45pm; closed Mon
Admission: Free (statemuseum.nj.gov)
Monmouth County Historical Association Museum
Specialty: Lenape heritage, Revolutionary War (Monmouth Courthouse battlefield), and NJ social history
Hours: Tue–Sat 10am–4pm; closed Sun–Mon
Admission: $5/adult (monmouthhistory.org)
Cape May County Museum
Specialty: Whaling history, Lenape artifacts, Civil War displays, Cape May lighthouse lens collection
Hours: Tue–Sat 9am–4:30pm; closed Sun–Mon
Admission: $2/adult (capemaycountymuseum.org)
Historical tours
Guided experiences that bring history to life.