The Texier House Museum is Watchung’s central location for history, photos, fun facts, and artifacts. Visit and investigate each of the 6 rooms independently or together, speak with our tour guides, and learn about the many wonderful tales from Watchung’s (nearly) 100 year history!
The Texier House Museum is typically open the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month from 2pm to 4pm. In 2024 open houses are scheduled for:
- February 4, 18
- March 3
- April 7, 21
- May 19, 27
- June 2
- July 21
- August 18
- September 17
- October 6, 12 &13 (Journey Through the Past)
- November 3, 17
- December 1
Admission is FREE. Donations are always greatly appreciated. Check the Watchung Borough webpage for updates, special events, openings, or even closings.
Exhibit Highlights at the Texier House Museum include:
Displays on World War I & II. Operate a preserved hand cranked siren that was meant to warn the residents of Watchung if any Nazi boats had stormed NJ shores.
A history of Watchung and Best Lakes, which were used for ice harvesting.
Meat scale and well pump from O’Connors Restaurant, and memorabilia from Lake Edge, the Colorado Cafe, and Washington House Restaurants.
A display on Adella (Tiby) Wotherspoon, the youngest survivor of the General Slocum Disaster of 1904 where 1,021 of the 1,331 passengers died in New York City’s East River.
Display showcasing athletes of the Borough, including Sports Memorabilia from New York Giants legend Bobby Thomson.
A history of Hippolyte Texier, a glove manufacturer who lived in the Texier House Museum.
Then and Now: An exhibit on historic homes from the 1700’s, 1800’s, and 1900’s, as well as local businesses.
A copy of the original hand-written diary of Captain William Parlin (father-in-law of Congressman Eaton), who led the first black battalion of soldiers during the Civil War.
Restored stained glass skylight and other artifacts and photos from the Moldenke Castle.
Props and photos from the Legend of Watchung Pageant, which was performed between 1911 and 1936, with a special performance in 1964 in celebration of New Jersey’s Tercentenary.