News & Updates
The National Park Service Proclaims Piscataway’s
Ross Hall Wall an “American Treasure”
September 2021
This honor affirms the Wall's importance not only to our community, but to our nation's shared history. It also provides an exciting opportunity to build upon this achievement and bring new educational experiences to future generations.
Your support is essential in helping us transform this vision into reality. Contributions will directly support the museum's upcoming projects and initiatives, including the installation and interpretation of the Wall within the planned Forever the 4th Gallery—a permanent exhibition space dedicated to preserving and sharing this unique piece of American history.
Together, we can ensure that this treasured artifact is protected, interpreted, and celebrated for generations to come. We invite you to become a part of this exciting chapter in the museum's history by making a donation and helping us continue our mission of preserving the stories that connect us all.
Help us preserve an American Treasure.
Make your gift today and become a part of the legacy.
Plans for the new addition
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>>Watch a Video About the Wall<<
The Metlar Bodine Native American Arrowhead Collection - More Than 12,000 Years in the Making
June 2026
Did you know that Piscataway has been a desirable place to live for over 12,000 years? The first people to settle in this area were groups of Paleo-Indians that moved to this area during the last ice age. They were mainly hunters and gatherers who lived off the land. There were many varieties of plants and animals that could be used for food and as raw materials to make clothing and shelters. Between 2,000-3,000 years ago, the people we call the Lenni Lenape settled in this area. They took advantage of the ample food supply and many rivers and streams to establish a permanent presence in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Both groups have left behind stone artifacts that could be dated. All of the artifacts in the Metlar-Bodine House Museum arrowhead collection were found in the Piscataway area. The most significant artifact in the collection is a Clovis point. Clovis points (arrowheads) were first discovered at Clovis, New Mexico and have since been found throughout North America and parts of Central America. All known Clovis points date from 13,400-12,700 years ago. The museum’s artifacts were dated last year by Dr. Gregory D. Lattanzi, Ph.D., while serving as Curator/State Archaeologist at the New Jersey State Museum.
The collection was the work of Abraham McCullough who started collecting these arrowheads in the 1880s. Most were found on the family farm located on Stelton Road and along the Raritan River in the Fieldville section of Piscataway. For many years the collection was contained in a large cigar box in the McCullough family home. In 1977, Abraham’s brother Elmer McCullough donated the collection to the Piscataway Historical and Heritage Society. In 1979, the collection was donated to the Metlar-Bodine House Museum where it is proudly exhibited today.
Pallone: New Federal Funding Will Help Preserve New Jersey’s Connection to Independence Day
Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) held a press conference today about federal funding he secured for the Metlar-Bodine House Museum. Pallone secured $500,000 in a federal spending bill signed into law last year to help complete an extensive restoration project for the museum, including construction of the Forever the 4th gallery that will feature the Ross Hall Wall.
Ross Hall served as headquarters for General George Washington and the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and is where Washington wrote the first order for the United States Army to celebrate the 4th of July. The troops were ordered to march across the Raritan River on Landing Lane Bridge, line the banks of the river in New Brunswick, and shoot their rifles down and up the line in the first organized salute to the nation's independence. That evening, General Washington held a party at Ross Hall for officers, including Alexander Hamilton, Marquis de Lafayette, and Baron Von Stuben. The Ross Hall Wall is the only part of the original building that exists today.
“As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, I'm proud that the Metlar-Bodine House Museum will receive federal funding to help complete construction of the new Forever the 4th educational wing. New Jersey holds an important place in the founding of our country. It’s more critical now than ever to preserve our state’s connection to the past as we countdown to the 250th anniversary of our independence in 2026,” said Pallone. “We are lucky to have a museum right here in Middlesex County so that future generations can continue to learn about New Jersey’s important role in our country’s fight for independence.”
“This is wonderful news. The Township of Piscataway and the Fellowship for Metlar House have been waiting 22 years to give this Revolutionary War relic a home. The funding Congressman Pallone has helped to secure will soon make this a reality,” said Junelynn Sadlowski, Executive Director of the Metlar-Bodine House. “Some have said that the Ross Hall Wall is just as historically significant as the Liberty Bell, and the National Park Service designated it an American treasure in September 2021. With America's 250th birthday in 2026, it is important for this incredible artifact to finally be on exhibit. These funds will make this happen. Museum volunteers, staff, and members of the fellowship are over-joyed and thankful for Congressman Pallone's efforts.”
The wall has been recognized as an "American Treasure" by the National Park Service. The museum is also listed on the state and national registered historic sites and highlights the rich history of Middlesex County through a collection of local memorabilia and architecture.
Washington led July 4 celebration in this N.J. town. Work underway to save a piece of history.
July 3, 2022
The Fourth of July is celebrated in Piscataway Township much the way it is in other communities across the country. But there is one thing that separates this New Jersey town from all other towns across America on this holiday: t was here, in Piscataway, where Gen. George Washington gave the order for an official Fourth of July celebration to be held on July 4, 1778, affirming the date’s significance and setting the stage for what some consider to be the first national observance of the day.