Woodbridge Local History

Early History of Woodbridge Township

Woodbridge is the oldest township in New Jersey, granted an official charter on June 1, 1669. Settlers from Newbury, MA, initially came to Woodbridge several years prior, following a commission given by the Governor of the Province of New Jersey, Philip Carteret. Articles of agreement were signed on May 21, 1666, between Governor Carteret and John Pike, Daniel Pierce, and Abraham Tappen of Woodbridge and Piscataway, detailing the terms of settlement and land allotment for their inhabitants.

History of the Woodbridge Public Library

The establishment of the library dates back to the late 1800s, when Thomas Barron of the Barron family bequeathed upon his death the funds for a free public library. His nephew, John C. Barron, donated the land and on September 11, 1877 the Barron Library opened on Rahway Avenue in Woodbridge. It was Middlesex County's first free public library. Eventually, other libraries were established in the Township—in 1924 the Fords Women's Club started the Fords Library, in 1913 the Sewaren Library was established by the Sewaren Civic Association, in 1926 the Avenel and Iselin Libraries opened, and 1939 and 1943 saw the opening of libraries in Colonia and Hopelawn, respectively. In 1964 the Woodbridge Library System was established to incorporate the libraries into a Township-wide system.

Over the years different branches opened and closed, or were moved to new locations, and in 1974 the Woodbridge Main Library was built on its current location at George Frederick Plaza. The Barron Library was converted in 1976 to the Barron Arts Center, which it still is today.


WPL Local History Collections

The Woodbridge Library has a special collection of local history materials, photographs and limited genealogical information.

For Local History questions, or research assistance, please use our Local History Assistance Form.

Note that appointments are required for in-person access to materials housed in the local history archives. To request an appointment, please fill out the form linked above.


The Woodbridge Public Library offers many services to help individuals involved in local history or genealogical research, or those interested in learning more about the Township’s history:

Genealogy Resources

WPL Genealogy Databases

Use your library card to access HeritageQuest and other remote genealogy-focused databases.


AncestryPlus (accessible in the library only)
Newspapers

WPL Newspaper Databases

Use your library card to access digital versions of the Home News Tribune, Star Ledger, and other newspaper databases.

Digitized Historic Woodbridge  Newspapers

Access nearly 100 years of Woodbridge history through our online newspaper archive. Search the digital images using OCR technology (search results will vary depending on image quality) or browse through a chronological listing of Woodbridge's historic newspapers.

Oral History

Words of Woodbridge Oral History Project

Listen to and search transcripts of the memories of Woodbridge Seniors as they recall their childhoods and changes they witnessed in the Township over the 20th century. Long interested in history education and local history preservation, Councilwoman Brenda Velasco conceived of and has carried out a monumental project to capture the memories of many of the Township's oldest residents.

The Woodbridge Township Oral History archive is made up of two collections; the oral histories collection by Councilwoman Brenda Velasco from 2008 - 2015 and interviews conducted by CETA volunteers in the 1970s.


Virtual Exhibits
Black Americans in Woodbridge Township: From Unseen to SeenWoodbridge Treasures
Recorded lectures, workshops, & programs
Watching Woodbridge History

WPL Virtual Programs

Introduction to New Jersey Genealogy

Stories of Slavery in New Jersey

African-American Genealogy

Narrative Threads: New Jersey Quilts & Textiles

50th Anniversary of the Free Public Library of Woodbridge Township Slideshow

Iselin Branch Library 50th Anniversary Slideshow

Other Local History Resources

Woodbridge Local History Digital Archives

Through a generous grant from the Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission and support from the library cooperative Lyrasis and the Sloan Foundation, Woodbridge Public Library has been able to digitize over 70 unique local history items. 

A joint initiative with the Woodbridge Municipal Clerk's Office resulted in the inclusion of the Council Minutes in the archive.

Middlesex County Land Records Search

Online searchable database of property records, made available via the County Clerk’s office.



Continuing Your Research

Other places you can find primary source documents and records pertaining to Woodbridge history are listed below. You will need to contact the following organizations to make an appointment for research.


Freeholders' books (1668-1863) (with transcripts); list of freeholders, possibly from town book (1707); minutes of town meetings (1799-1927); township committee meeting minutes (1825-1907); financial records (1824-1916); tax records (1862-1916); record of strays (1784-1863); accounts of overseers of the poor (1801-1813, 1879-1909); record of polling, lighting, and fire districts (1876-1928); roads and bridges ledger (1883-1890); letterpress copy book containing letters from township clerks (1894-1909); and letters and other papers (ca. 1900-ca. 1930).

Housed at the Alexander Library
169 College Ave

New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1163

848-932-7851


Consists of a variety of records documenting the inhabitants and town of Woodbridge, New Jersey from 1668-1875.

The New Jersey Historical Society

52 Park Place Newark, NJ 07102

973-596-8500


Woodbridge Township History Organizations

📧 WTHPC1669@hotmail.com

  • House Plaque Program - If you believe your house has historic significance, submit the necessary information using the form on this page to request a house plaque from the Historic Preservation Commission.


  📱 732-634-1669

📧 hawt1669@gmail.com

86 Green Street, Woodbridge NJ 07095
Open Sundays between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.