Crane-Phillips House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Crane-Philips House
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 Location in Union County, New Jersey
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| Location | 124 N. Union Avenue Cranford, New Jersey |
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| NRHP reference No. | 97000842 |
| Added to NRHP | August 14, 1997 |
The Crane-Phillips House is a cool old home in Cranford, New Jersey. It's located at 124 N. Union Avenue in Union County. This house is a great example of Victorian architecture. It was designed in the style of Andrew Jackson Downing, who was a very important early American architect.
Today, the Crane-Phillips House is a museum. The Cranford Historical Society runs it. When you visit, you can see what life was like for a regular family during the Victorian era. This was a time of many new inventions! The museum shows how these inventions changed daily life. The Phillips family, who lived here, were inventors themselves. Henry J. Phillips, who fought in the American Civil War, helped invent the modern kitchen hood. He also created a special tent and overcoat for soldiers. His brother, Charles Henry Phillips, invented the famous Phillips' Milk of Magnesia.
The museum has many interesting things to see. You can find old Native American items. There are also artifacts from the American Revolutionary War and the American Civil War. You'll see old tools, farm equipment, and a fancy Victorian living room. There's even a Victorian girl's bedroom from around 1870. The museum also has lots of old papers and photos about Cranford. They often have special exhibits, too, like displays of antique clothing.
History of the House
The Crane-Phillips House is sometimes called "The Little House on the Rahway." It was first built around 1840. Josiah Crane, who has a park named after him nearby, built it. He built it as a special home for his son, Josiah Crane Jr., and his new wife.
The Crane family were some of the first people to settle in this area. They arrived in the early 1700s, around 1715. They built mills along the Rahway River and started a farm. Josiah Crane Jr. sold the house in 1867. Henry and Cecelia Phillips bought it and lived there until Henry passed away in 1911. The Phillips family added many parts to the house, giving it its special Downing style.
Bringing the House Back to Life
The Cranford Historical Society worked hard to restore the museum. They wanted it to look like it did in the late 1800s. They also made updates and created new exhibits. One cool part is an authentic kitchen from the late 19th century.
This big project turned the "Little House" into a living history museum. Guides help visitors imagine what life was like long ago. The museum shows local history from three different centuries. This history connects to the story of New Jersey and the whole country.
The Crane-Phillips House Museum is very important. It is listed on both the National and State Register of Historic Places. In 1999, it was even named an "American Treasure." This honor came from the White House Millennium Council and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It's one of several historic homes that the Cranford Historical Preservation Advisory Board recognizes.
See also
