Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

New Jersey Historic Trust Affiliated with the Department of Community Affairs

Solitude House

Garden State Historic Preservation Trust Fund
Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund
Historic Site Management Grant
Grant Award: $50,000 (2010); $25,500 (2020); $7,500 (2021); $6,375 (2022); $26,550 (2023)
Grant Recipient: Borough of High Bridge
County: Hunterdon
Municipality: High Bridge Borough

Solitude House and its associated outbuildings are primarily associated with the Taylor Wharton Company, the successor firm to the Allen & Turner ironworks; however, portions of the building may predate this association. The ironworks and the subsequent steelworks were significant in the industrial development of New Jersey. The house was likely expanded between 1740 and 1776 and was then significantly remodeled in the Italian Villa style during the middle of the nineteenth century, which coincided with a major expansion of the Taylor-Wharton facility. Other related components in the vicinity of the house include a lake and dam, the remains of a small hydroelectric plant, and iron furnace ruins. Outbuildings located on this property include a stone barn (subsequently remodeled for housing), a well, a root cellar, a smokehouse, and stone walls.  

The Borough of High Bridge purchased the property as preserved open space in 2002 using NJ Green Acres and county funding.

The 2023 Trust grant will help fund the preparation of a New Jersey and National Register nomination for the Taylor-Wharton Iron & Steel Company Historic District, inclusive of Solitude House.

The 2022 Trust grant will help fund the preparation of construction documents for the preservation of the north (rear) two-story porch.

The 2021 Trust grant helped fund architectural consulting services including a condition assessment and bidding for porch repairs.  

The 2020 Trust grant helped fund the preparation of a National Register nomination, preparation of a strategic plan, and the preparation of a maintenance plan for the property. The 2010 Trust grant also helped fund the preparation of a preservation plan that will guide future repair and restoration of the property. 

For more information visit: http://highbridge.org/government/cultural-heritage-committee/solitude-house-update-request-for-help/ 


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