The Osborn Cannonball House Museum, located at 1840 Front Street in Scotch Plains, will be open to the public on Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 2 pm to 4 pm, and on Friday, June 26, 2026, from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm, during the celebration of “Revolution 250.” This celebration, sponsored by the Township of Scotch Plains, commemorates our country’s 250th anniversary.

Costumed docents will be available to give tours of the c.1750 Osborn House which was once owned by the Osborn family, whose sons fought locally in the American Revolution. Come visit our town’s Revolutionary War era museum and hear stories of the exciting early history of Scotch Plains and its role in the founding of our great country.

On Sunday, June 7th, the museum will feature a Victorian era clothing exhibit.

On Friday, June 26th, during the Township’s Revolution 250 Celebration, the museum will feature a gravestone carving exhibit by John Zielenski who is an early stonecutter reenactor. He will discuss the history and materials of 18th century stonecutting in NJ. Mr. Zielenski will show some examples of the gravestones that he carved and will demonstrate early gravestone cutting techniques. In addition, he will talk about the symbolism depicted on early gravestone carvings. It is exciting to note that Jonathan Hand Osborn, who grew up in the Osborn Cannonball House, was a prolific gravestone carver from this time period.

In conjunction with our “gravestone carver,” the Osborn Cannonball House Museum will have an exhibit of Colonial-era clothing and authentic 18th century accessories. You will feel like you stepped back in time to visit the Osborn family during this turbulent time when our country was striving for independence.

On June 26th, the Township events begin at 4:30 p.m. with a ceremony and wreath-laying at the Scotch Plains Baptist Church on Park Avenue honoring local soldiers of the American Revolution. The ceremony will be followed by a parade led by reenactors portraying Generals George Washington and Rochambeau on horseback and a dragoon officer. The procession will continue to Town Hall to join the Mayor and local officials who will unveil and open a time capsule from 1984. The festivities will include a celebration on the Alan M. Augustine Village Green with food, music and other family-friendly activities.

As always, there is no fee to attend the Osborn Cannonball House. The museum is also open for tours on the first Sunday of each month (except January and February) and by appointment by calling (908) 322-6700, Ext. 230. If you are interested in volunteering at the museum, please email us at Info@HistoricalSocietySPFNJ.org. No prior experience required.

The museum is currently presenting a Civil War exhibit featuring gowns from the mid 19th century.  Although Scotch Plains was not the site of a Civil War battle, many residents fought in the four year conflict and the town participated in national events to support Union Troops. New Jersey supplied over 88,000 soldiers throughout the war and New Jersey soldiers were present in every major battle.

Costumed docents will be available to give tours of the c. 1750 house once owned by the Osborn family whose sons fought locally in the American Revolution. Come visit our town’s Revolutionary War era museum and hear stories of the exciting early history of Scotch Plains and its role in the founding of our great country.

As always, there is no fee to attend. The Osborn Cannonball House is open for tours on the first Sunday of each month (except January and February) and by appointment by calling (908) 322-6700, Ext. 230. If you are interested in volunteering at the museum, please email us at Info@HistoricalSocietySPFNJ.org. No prior experience required.