It has the largest selection of President Grover Cleveland artifacts and memorabilia that exists. The Caldwell home is on both the State and National Registry of historic places and was built in 1832. His father was a pastor in the church down the street and Grover was born in 1837, The church and adjoining cemetery has many old tombstones and is worth a look.. He was the 5th of 9 children all of whom survived. The house has five rooms and a well informed tour guide instructed me about each while we progressed from room to room You can choose a self-guided tour as well. I found the pictures of Cleveland and Teddy Roosevelt most interesting. Did you know Grover had oral cancer and a secret surgery was performed on a boat on the Hudson river. Images of the before and after oral cavity are on display. The oral cancer tumor can be seen in the Mum Museum in Philadelphia. Family artifacts were donated, as well as period artifacts which adds greatly to the experience.. His birth cradle, letters, campaign posters and a piece of his wedding cake. He is the only president to have been married in the White House and serve two non-consecutive terms of office. If you enjoy history this small but informative museum is worthwhile. Parking is available on site. The museum is free, although donations are accepted. Photography is allowed in only one interior room (kitchen). For teachers they have a traveling trunk program (portable lessons) for the 1830's, 1860 (Civil War) and the 1880's-1890's.
We didn't even know there was a birthplace museum for a former president in the area we were visiting. We had stopped for an ice cream shop across the street and there it was. Of course we had to visit. It was very interesting to see especially since it was right in the middle of what could be considered a small town. Its not that big but if you are a history buff or need to have your kids learn about presidents, then I highly recommend visiting this site.
On a recent Friday, we decided to take a spontaneous trip. We live in NYC and didn't want to go too far, spend too much money, or overextend the children. So I settled that morning on the Thomas Edison Labratory National Park in West Orange NJ. Never to waste a toll, I decided to find something else to round out our visit and came across Grover Cleveland's Birthplace Museum in Caldwell NJ. It is about 10 minutes from tom edison and definitely worth a side visit. The museum is small, only one floor of a parsonage built in the 1830's. Cleveland's Father was Pastor of the nearby church. Cleveland was born in the bedroom of the home. The admission is free, and there is a teeny tiny gift corner. The self guided tour begins in the kitchen, around to a back dining room where there are period toys for children to interact with, then the actually bedroom. The front room has many many artifacts from his Presidency. The best part was the 150 year old piece of wedding cake! For history buffs like us, this is exactly the kind of place we enjoy-inhaling history and seeing it first hand. I gave it 4 stars since I don't think this is enough to encompass an entire pilgrimage to NJ, but it is a nice side attraction if you are in the area.
Hands down - the docent. Passionate and knowledgeable and engaging. We have visited at least 4 times over the years and learn something new every time.
This is the home where Grover Cleveland was born and spent his first three years. He never returned. Fortunately, other family members donated some items of the Cleveland family and other pieces are from the period. There are four rooms to visit, including the formal parlor which has exhibits filled with Cleveland memorabilia, such as letters, campaign posters, a piece of his wedding cake from his wedding in the White House, and a suit of his ample clothes. The guide is enthusiastic about her subject. There is no fee, but donations are accepted. The home was the rectory, as Cleveland's father was the minister at the Presbyterian church.
If you are a history buff, or just like NJ History, this is a place to go. The interpreters tell the story of the President, and have historic relics from his life (including a piece of his wedding cake). Very interesting. Most years, weather permitting, there is a July 4 ice cream party on the grounds.
Grover Cleveland was a lesser known US president who quite frankly is not celebrated enough. This birthplace is a modest homage to a man who would work hard and become the only US president to serve non-consecutive terms. Several articles are on display including a plaster cast of his mouth from when he was operated on a boat. The tour guides were friendly and knowledgeable. It's worth an afternoon.
The tour of the home was good and the tour guide was good as well. My kid's enjoyed playing with the toys of the times, and, all enjoyed learning more about Cleveland. The parking for this isn't very well laid out, so, some advice is just to park in a spot in the Catholic Church parking lot next to it and walk over. I felt comfortable doing it, as, I am Catholic!
This is one of those places that we have meant to stop in for years, and finally did. We were happy we did; the place where Cleveland lived for a time is a step back into time; the volunteers who run it deserve a lot of credit. In addition to the several period rooms from the late 1800s that look the way they did then, they have also amassed a very nice collection of Cleveland memorabilia on display in one of the rooms. It will take you maybe an hour to see it all, and it is well worth it!
Bear in mind....I usually love all historic sights and land marks. This one, which has no charge, and seemed interesting...just was blah. Again, it could be so much more ..kids enjoyed, but staff did not seam to want them there. They have this great dress up area...but gave the girls a hard time about it. Strange.