About the 
 Historical Society

The Cumberland County Historical Society
PO Box 16, Greenwich, NJ 08323
856-455-4055

In 1908, at the same time plans were being made to erect a monument to commemorate the Tea Burning in Greenwich, the Cumberland County Historical Society was organized as a non-profit corporation.  The first recorded meeting of the incorporators of the Cumberland County Historical Society was held in the old Cumberland County Court House on Broad Street in Bridgeton at 2 PM on December 2, 1908.


Gibbon House

These Charter Members organized the Society in order to apply to the Board of Freeholders and the State Legislature for funds to erect a monument in Greenwich to the memory of the brave Patriots who burned the tea on December 22, 1774.

The Society Headquarters was then located on the top floor of the Cumberland County Court House.

Wood Mansion
Wood Mansion

In 1945, the Wood family of Philadelphia leased the Wood Mansion in Greenwich to the Society for its Headquarters.  Its artifacts and accumulated records were moved to Greenwich.

On June 19, 1960 the Society acquired the Gibbon House and its barn on Ye Greate Street.  Several years later a Swedish log farm building was moved to this site.  Each yearl the Annual Craft fair is held on the grounds of the Gibbon House.

A Maritime Museum has been established in the former Lecture Room which was built by the congregation of the Greenwich Presbyterian Church in 1852 and presently displays artifacts relating to the waterways of the area.

Following the purchase of the former Greenwich branch bank in 1993, the voluminous collection of genealogical material, rare books, deeds and maps previously displayed in the Pirate House were transferred to this commodious building which is now known as the Warren Lummis Genealogical & Research Library.

The Society is also the owner of the Tea Burners Monument, the Old Cohansey Baptist Cemetery, and the Cumberland County Liberty Bell with they display in the Court House lobby.  We are administrators of the Potters Tavern in Bridgeton and the Old Stone Church in Fairton.

The Society is very active in promoting knowledge concerning the history of Cumberland County and has much to offer its members.  The Officers and Trustees cordially invite you to join this outstanding organization.


Tea Burners Monument