Laing House of Plainfield Plantation facts for kids
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Laing House of Plainfield Plantation
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Front of the house
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 Location in Middlesex County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1707 Woodland Avenue Edison, New Jersey |
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| Built | early 1700s |
| NRHP reference No. | 88002124 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 27, 1988 |
The Laing House of Plainfield Plantation is a very old house in Edison, Middlesex County, New Jersey. It was built a long time ago, in the early 1700s. This was when people from Scotland, called Quakers, started settling in this part of New Jersey.
The area where the house stands was once part of a large colonial land area called the Elizabethtown Tract. Later, it became part of Piscataway Township. The names of nearby towns like The Plainfields and Scotch Plains remind us of these early settlers. The house is so important that it was added to the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
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History of the Laing House
The Laing House has stood for over 300 years. It shows us what homes were like when New Jersey was first being settled. The house is a link to the past, especially to the Scottish Quakers who helped build the community.
Early Settlers and the Plainfields
In the late 1600s and early 1700s, many Scottish Quakers came to this part of New Jersey. Quakers are a religious group known for their simple lifestyle and peaceful beliefs. They often wore plain clothing. Some people think the name "Plainfields" comes from their plain clothes. Others believe it describes the flat, open land they settled.
The Quakers were looking for a place where they could practice their religion freely. They bought large areas of land to farm and build their communities. The Laing House was part of one of these early settlements.
What Was a Plantation?
In colonial times, a "plantation" was a large farm. These farms grew crops like wheat, corn, or other goods. The Plainfield Plantation was likely a large farming estate. It would have been a place where families lived and worked the land. The Laing House was the main home on this plantation.
Becoming a Historic Place
The Laing House is important because it has been around for so long. It helps us understand how people lived and built communities in the early days of New Jersey. Because of its age and history, it was officially recognized as a historic site.
- In March 1988, it was added to the New Jersey Register of Historic Places. This means the state of New Jersey recognized its special value.
- In October 1988, it was also added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of places across the entire United States that are important to history.
Being on these lists helps protect the house. It ensures that this piece of history can be preserved for future generations to learn from and enjoy.
