If you're a central New Jersey resident looking for something fun and unique to do on the weekend, we've got some terrific ideas for you! This week, let's look at the Lakeview (Buckelew) Mansion in Jamesburg.
Located just 9.3 miles from New Brunswick in Middlesex County, Jamesburg is a small community in central New Jersey containing a rich and glorious past combined with strong cultural ties and traditions. Since before its beginnings in 1887 as the Borough of Jamesburg, the community has had a strong sense of history, as seen by the large Victorian houses and old storefronts lining East and West Railroad Avenues. The Jamesburg Historical Association has worked tirelessly since 1979 to preserve and educate the public about history of Jamesburg and the surrounding area.
The original part of the mansion dates back to 1685. It was a one-room house. Over the years additional rooms were added. James Buckelew moved into the house in 1829 following his marriage. As his family size (he and his wife had six children) and prestige in the business community grew, Mr. Buckelew expanded the house to include the two-story front, which included, among other things, a wide center hallway, spacious double parlors and a wide, pillared verandah overlooking Lake Manalapan. Various other additions were made over the years, including the third story in the 1870s, so that today the house is a maze of twenty-three rooms, many closets, pantries, chimney nooks, and cubbyholes of various sizes and degrees of finish. Lakeview was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and the State Register in 1981.
James Buckelew died in 1869. Mrs. Buckelew continued to live in Lakeview until her death in 1890. At that time the house was purchased by the Paxton family. This family ran a boarding house here until the house was sold to the Borough of Jamesburg in 1979. In 1979, the Borough entrusted Lakeview to the care of the Jamesburg Historical Association.
Today, the Historic Association maintains Lakeview as Jamesburg's museum. Many artifacts from Jamesburg's proud history are housed here. You will see these and many other treasures as you walk through the halls, rooms, buildings and grounds of Lakeview.
The Marchany TeamKNOWS central New Jersey. We're right where you are, whether you're in South Brunswick or Monroe (Middlesex County). If you're looking for a terrific new home in Mercer County, we're prepared to search for your place in the sun in Princeton Junction, East Windsor, West Windsor, and Robbinsville. And if you're ready to put your Franklin Park or Hillsborough (Somerset County) home on the market, we're prepared to find the buyers who are looking for your home. Call The Marchany Team today at (732) 997-0019, and don't forget to “Like” us on Facebook! We are dedicated to helping you in every way possible.
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