Atop a steep hill in Warren County along Route 31 sits a mansion dating back more than 250 years. This home is a significant piece of Garden State history, inviting visitors to learn its two centuries’ worth of stories. Pre-dating the American Revolution, Shippen Manor is among the oldest buildings in NJ and, as a result, the country.
Unlike some other entries in our Jersey Through History series, the building is less important than the people living there. With this in mind, it is their story which is the focus of this feature. Dr. William Shippen II and his brother Joseph built the manor on 4,000 acres of property in Oxford Township in 1755. Meanwhile, the brothers came from one of the most powerful Quaker families in the area. In fact, William Shippen is the first teacher of anatomy, surgery, and obstetrics in colonial America. He is even responsible for the first maternity hospital in the country.
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Mind Your Manors
Though born in Philadelphia, William made his way to New Jersey while studying at the College of New Jersey. (Now known as Princeton University.) After graduating in 1754, he began studying medicine with his father, Edward. At the time of the manor’s construction, William and Joseph owned the nearby Oxford Furnace. This blast furnace primarily produced pig iron for years before expanding to custom fireplace firebacks.
During the American Revolution, William became the chief surgeon of the Flying Camp in NJ. From 1775 until 1777, he was also the third Surgeon General of the United States Army. This high rank means he could regularly correspond with General George Washington. He spent the next four years working as the Director of Hospitals for the Continental Army. But perhaps his greatest achievement came in 1787, as one of 24 physicians founding the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. This organization, which still exists today, is the oldest private medical society in the country.
As for the manor itself, the Shippen family lived there throughout their lifetimes. Afterward, when excavation of the manor began in the 20th century, workers found thousands of artifacts. The home preserves countless elements of the 18th and 19th century, as well as the Shippen family. For example, the manor is full of letters, wills, and diaries helping to tell their stories.
Shippen Manor is a testament to the family’s wealth and status. The fact it sits atop a high hill means the family could view all their properties. The building itself is Georgian style, made from local stone. Moreover, the manor has three chimneys and a dozen different rooms on two floors. It’s worth noting the home’s design is meant to be operational, instead of emphasizing the family’s affluence. Though much restoration has been needed to preserve the home, Shippen Manor stood on its own for many years.
Shippen Manor in Modern Times
In December 1984, Shippen Manor joined the National Register for Historic Places. It is also a contributing property to the Oxford Industrial Historic District. Meanwhile, unlike some historic homes across the country, this manor is still in its original location.
You can visit the Shippen Manor Museum at 8 Belvidere Ave in Oxford. It is open the first two Sundays of every month from April through December. During those days, the museum is open from 1:00 – 4:00 pm, and admission is free. The museum offers tours for school classes as well as special groups. Group tours must reserve spaces, which are available weekdays in April and Tuesdays and Wednesdays in May and June. These tours offer a glimpse into the opulent history of an NJ family and their great stories.
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All Photos: © Patrick Lombardi / Best of NJ