Local Attractions

The Oldest House in Elizabeth, NJ

Built in the late 1600s, the Bonnell House is recognized as the oldest surviving home in Elizabeth and among the earliest residential structures in New Jersey. The house was constructed by Nathaniel Bonnell, a skilled carpenter of Huguenot descent who arrived in Elizabethtown around 1664 from New Haven.

Bonnell was one of the original settlers and a member of the Elizabeth Associates, the group responsible for establishing the community that would become Elizabeth. Between roughly 1670 and 1685, Nathaniel and his wife Elizabeth raised seven children here while managing several nearby farms, including property in what is now Union (formerly known as Connecticut Farms).

The modest frame structure reflects early colonial building techniques and Bonnell's own craftsmanship, offering a rare glimpse into everyday life in 17th-century New Jersey. Remarkably preserved, the home predates the American Revolution by more than a century and stands just steps from other historic sites along East Jersey Street.

Today, the Bonnell House is privately stewarded and available for guided tours by appointment, making it a quiet but powerful landmark for visitors interested in Elizabeth's earliest roots.