Millburn: Theater History, Nature, and Historic Trails

Theater history, historic sites, and trails through varied landscapes give Millburn its diverse character. Paper Mill Playhouse represents a distinctive chapter in the town’s history; gardens, nature preserves, and trails offer more to explore during your stay. The vacation rental that suits your trip will also depend on whether you want to focus primarily on the downtown area, historic sites, or nature experiences.

Theater and History in Millburn

Paper Mill Playhouse is located in Millburn, New Jersey. The present-day site began as The Thistle Paper Mill in 1795. On November 14, 1938, Paper Mill Playhouse opened with the play “The Kingdom of God” by Martinez Sierra. The site thus brings paper-making and theater history together in an unusually clear chronological sequence.

The Hessian House also brings the town’s history to life: it is one of Millburn’s oldest homes and has important connections to the American Revolutionary War. It is designated and protected by the Township of Millburn as an individual local historic landmark. Washington Rock is another historic site from the American Revolutionary War and dates back to the late 18th century.

Those interested in local history can choose from different ways to explore it. The Downtown Millburn Walking Tour introduces the history of 32 landmarks in and around the downtown area. These include Millburn Community Garden, Taylor Park, St. Stephen’s Church, and the 2017 “Häagen-Dazs mural.” Taylor Park includes 13 acres of recreational space and a pond dating back to 1924.

The Veterans Memorial Path offers another perspective on local history. The Township of Millburn established it in 2004; it is 4.5 miles long and includes 17 landmarks. The trail begins at Millburn Free Public Library, by a Veterans’ Memorial in the entrance hall, and ends at Revolution War Cemetery in Parsil Family Cemetery on White Oak Ridge Road. This makes it possible to explore local history along a route with clearly described starting and ending points.

Gardens, Nature Preserve, and Trails

South Mountain Reservation is a 2,112-acre nature preserve in the Essex County Park System. Parts of the area lie in Maplewood, Millburn, and West Orange. A section of the 36-mile Lenape Trail runs through the reservation. When planning, note that the stated length refers to the entire trail, not just the section in the reservation.

Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary offers a different trail setting: its paths pass kettle holes, rolling slopes, and a natural amphitheater formed by glaciers. The trail network covers 3 miles. At the Stone House, visitors can see taxidermied birds and mammals, as well as a small collection of live animals. This offers a way to combine time outdoors with an introduction to natural history.

In Short Hills, Greenwood Gardens is a 28-acre public garden and historic site dating from the early 20th century that has been extensively restored. Visitors are welcome to take self-guided tours and attend special programs; guided, self-guided, and group tours are also offered. The garden is on Old Short Hills Road, about one mile north of downtown Millburn.

Choose the Right Location for Your Trip

The Downtown Millburn Historic District is compact and easily walkable from the center, and it is within easy walking distance of many residential neighborhoods. If the historic downtown area is your main focus, this can help guide your choice of vacation rental. For a trip centered mainly on gardens or trails through natural areas, you can instead choose a location based on the destinations you plan to visit. The places and trails mentioned differ in focus: local history, theater, gardens, and nature preserves each offer their own reasons to visit.

Other places in the same overview: Maplewood, Newark, Livingston, East Orange, West Orange, City of Orange, Cedar Grove and Fairfield.

For the broader travel overview: Essex.