Thomas Warne Museum stands on the brink of a becoming a vital historical site in Old Bridge amid the burgeoning of suburban sprawl. The museum is a source of historical data from the earliest days of the town's history. Michael Launay, VP of the Madison Township Historical Society, has authored a book with the assistance of former museum curator, Alvia Martin, "Old Bridge" and is currently working on "Old Bridge Founding Families" for the society. The museum contains a 1912 film, "The Juggernaut" filmed locally on a waxed spindel, various pottery jars, hand-turned wrought iron and the original one-room school house in which the museum is located. Another facet of the museum is the geneological data and photos as well as maps of antiquity.
The Thomas Warne Museum was founded by the members of the Madison Township Historical Society in April of 1964. The one-room school house was first leased then sold to the society by the Madison twp. Board of Education (Now the Old Bribge Board of Ed.) The property and original schoolhouse were donated to the town in the early 1800's by the Warne family. It contains original desks, slate blackboards and the pot bellied stove used for heating.
Original schoolhouse and interior. Library collections consist of maps, photos books, artifacts and items of historical nature. Acquisitions include a 1912 movie, a wax cyclinder gramaphone, various pottery and beach artifacts as well as native American Indian artifacts.
We have large colections of original maps, family bibles,catalogs (dating and identifying purposes), biographies, family, area,and state histories, and many other reference materials.
School and private tours are available by apointment.
Madison Township Historical Society of Old Bridge
Access: General Public, Students, Scholars, Members
Appointment required: False