N.J. Colonial architecture topic of Prallsville Mills talk

In New Jersey, the most crowded and developed state in the union, a substantial number of buildings remain from its Colonial past.

Join David Veasey at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11, at Prallsville Mills, 33 Risler St., Stockton, N.J., to learn more about their diverse architecture styles and influences.

They buildings include the Royal Governor’s Mansion in Perth Amboy, the still-functioning Black Horse Inn in Mendham, the meetinghouse-style Fairfield Presbyterian Church in Salem County, Nassau Hall on the grounds of Princeton University, Washington’s Headquarters in Morristown and the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in the country.

In addition, several contemporary architectural styles can trace their roots to the Colonial Era.

Sandwiched between Philadelphia and New York City, New Jersey often doesn’t get due credit for its contributions to Colonial and early American life, including its rich and diverse architectural heritage.

This diverse architecture reflects its early settlers who were the most varied in all the Colonies, except perhaps for New York City, coming from The Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, France, Ireland, Scotland, and a number of English regions, with each group bringing their building traditions with them.

Veasey is a lifelong New Jersey resident. He is the author of “New Jersey’s Colonial Architecture Told in 100 Buildings,” as well as other books about the state. Visit prallsvillemills.org for information.