Lawrence Historical Society

08/31/2026

The Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission is updating its master plan for the first time since 1989! Please join us on September 8th at the Mercer County Library/Lawrence Branch on Darrah Lane from 6- 8 pm to provide public comment on the importance of historic preservation.

A overview of the master plan planning resources

08/28/2026

Work has begun on the Port Mercer Canal House. Painters began prepping the exterior for next week's painting. Repairs are expected to take two weeks and will include rehanging the shutters, repairing the gutters, and repainting the entire exterior of the house.

08/28/2026

Fun local history event!

08/27/2026

Gift Shop Spotlight:
We the People tee shirts

Why we love it:
Not only does wearing this Constitutional tee-shirt demonstrate civic pride, it also has a local connection – Lawrence Township’s own David Brearley helped to draft the US Constitution! Buy now -- only $15 dollars!!

Available now at the Lawrence Historical Society Gift Shop:
https://lawrence-historical-society-107140.square.site/product/we-the-people-t-shirt/ZGZHGDSR4N5H5RGVYXFMON75?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=427CB3JYO2K3GM7PHPXPSAXZ

Order online and support local history—every purchase helps preserve Lawrence’s past!

Show your pride in American history with our “We the People” t-shirt, featuring the iconic opening words of the U.S. Constitution. This design honors Lawrence Township’s unique connection to our nation’s founding — David Brearley, a signer of the U.S. Constitution, hailed from Lawrence, NJ...

08/24/2026

We are pleased to report that the Society has received a generous $35,000 grant from the Canal Society of New Jersey. Funding from the grant will be used to help preserve the Port Mercer Canal House.

More information can be found on the Society's website:

Lawrence Historical Society has received a $35,000 grant from the Canal Society of New Jersey to help preserve the Port Mercer Canal House.

08/20/2026

Located on Lewisville Road, the John Brearley Homestead is the birthplace of David Brearley, the first Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court and one of New Jersey’s representatives to the US Constitutional Convention.

David’s grandfather, John Brearley, settled in Maidenhead (as Lawrence Township was then known) around 1680, with his property becoming known as “Spring Grove Farm”. John Brearley served as both Overseer of Highways and Constable of Maidenhead in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

The property remained in the Brearley family until at least the 1860s. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

08/14/2026

On Thursday, August 20th, the Lawrence Historical Society will once again be hosting a 1-mile walk through Lawrenceville.

This free half-hour walking tour along Main Street will explore the history of the village from its pre-Revolutionary War origins through the late 20th century. The tour is co-sponsored by Lawrenceville Main Street. It will begin at 5:45 pm and end before the music starts for Music in the Park at 6:30 pm.

To register for this free event, click here:

Experience a delightful 1-mile walk through Lawrenceville while immersing yourself in the rich history of the area.

08/02/2026

On Thursday, August 6th, the Lawrence Historical Society will be hosting a 1-mile walk through Lawrenceville.

This free half-hour walking tour along Main Street will explore the history of the village from its pre-Revolutionary War origins through the late 20th century. The tour is co-sponsored by Lawrenceville Main Street. It will begin at 5:45 pm and end before the music starts for Music in the Park at 6:30 pm.

To register for this free event, click here:

Experience a delightful 1-mile walk through Lawrenceville while immersing yourself in the rich history of the area.

08/01/2026

Fun event being sponsored by the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society. To register, click here:

https://ewinggreenteam.org/ewingfallspin/

07/31/2026

Fun local history event coming up this Sunday!

A walking tour highlighting the often-overlooked contributions of women during the Revolutionary War will take place Sunday, Aug. 2, in downtown Trenton.