Woodbury: History, Art and Local Discoveries

Woodbury offers several different ways to explore history and local life: a Friends Meeting House dating from 1715, a museum with extensive exhibits, a historic schoolhouse, and activities focused on art and fresh food. This lets you choose the focus of your trip, whether you are more interested in historic buildings, museum collections or activities for children.

Historic Buildings with a Story of Their Own

The Friends Meeting House is the oldest public building in Woodbury. It was built in 1715 and added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 3, 1973. The construction year and the register date tell different stories: one places the building's origins in time, while the other marks its later addition to the national register. If you are interested in the history of preserved public buildings, this is a tangible starting point for exploring Woodbury's past.

Another historic site is Carpenter Street School. It is considered the earliest known surviving African American schoolhouse building in New Jersey. Its addition to the National Register of Historic Places was approved in 1997. Its designation as a schoolhouse makes the history of education a natural topic, while the building's distinctive description highlights its significance in African American history. This focus sets it apart from the history of the Friends Meeting House.

Museum and Historic Objects

More than 30,000 artifacts and historical objects are on public display in permanent and changing exhibits at the Gloucester County Historical Society Museum. The size of the collection and its two exhibition formats give the museum a distinct place among Woodbury's cultural attractions. Permanent and changing exhibits offer different perspectives: one forms a fixed part of the program, while the other adds rotating presentations. You can discover for yourself which objects and topics appeal to you most when you visit the exhibits.

The museum is housed in the Hunter-Lawrence-Jessup House, built in 1765. Here, you can experience both the Historical Society's exhibits and a building with its own historic construction date. This offers a different way to explore the area than the two school and meeting houses: the museum focuses on artifacts and historical objects presented in exhibits.

Outdoor Art and Market Life

“Art in the Street” is a free outdoor arts program in Woodbury for children of all ages. It is led by Mr. Doud. For families looking to include an artistic focus alongside historic attractions, this is a distinct option. Its open-air setting and focus on children of all ages set it apart from the historic buildings and museum exhibits. Plan your interests accordingly: art for children, historic sites and exhibits each offer a different focus.

The Woodbury Farmers Market adds a family-friendly outdoor market to the mix. It offers fresh food and local goods. This brings food and local products into the itinerary alongside historical and artistic attractions. If this is an important part of your stay, you can make the market a focus of your Woodbury trip rather than getting to know the destination solely through its historic buildings.

When looking for a vacation rental in Woodbury, these themes can help you decide: if you are mainly interested in history and exhibits, the buildings and museum are the main attractions. If you are traveling with children, you can also consider the arts program or family-friendly market when choosing what interests you.

Discover More Destinations

If you would like to compare more destinations in this selection, you can also explore Monroe Township, Newfield, Mantua Township, Glassboro, West Deptford, Gibbstown, Swedesboro and Deptford.

For the broader travel guide, see: Gloucester County.