Looking back at Cranbury, you realize it has a history as rich as America itself. One of the oldest towns in New Jersey, Cranbury is located between New York City and Philadelphia. In the 1700s, it took several days to travel between the two cities on rough roads and trails. Being settled in between the two, Cranbury proved to be a convenient place to rest people and horses. In 1804, Aaron Burr took a breather in Cranbury while fleeing after his legendary duel with Alexander Hamilton.

It is believed that there were residents in Cranbury as early as 1860; there is a deed of sale dated March 1, 1698 for land between Josiah Prickett and John Harrison that indicates buildings and settlement earlier than that. In 1997, Cranbury celebrated its 300th birthday.

Cranbury has lived a charmed life for sure. It was recognized by the New Jersey Register of Historic Places in 1979, and on the National Register of Historic Places the following year. Cranbury is one town that remembers and embraces its roots.

In 1788, Cranbury made American history when General George Washington and his staff set up a headquarters of sorts on South Main Street. Washington arrived in the morning of June 26 from Kingston. He and his staff made plans concerning the Battle of Monmouth and marched out again that evening. At the time, both Colonel Alexander Hamilton and the Marquis de Lafayette resided.

Cranbury also has a deep agricultural history that is intertwined with the historical district. The village was built to support the local farm community. Cranbury is a member of the New Jersey Farmland Preservation Program and has over 2,000 acres in permanently preserved farmland.

Today, Cranbury stands in its historical splendor as an effective representation of American history and the memory of the building of this great nation that modern advancements are apt to forget.