Dan Zarrow’s Guide to Celebrating Black History and Heritage in New Jersey

You do not have to visit New Jersey for long to realize the rich diversity of people and experiences here. Our state's history, culture, and heritage are defined by the innumerable ethnic and cultural groups that call New Jersey home.

In particular, New Jersey’s Black history is rich, dynamic, and deeply intertwined with the state’s identity. From the fight for abolition to cultural contributions that resonate today, the Garden State has played an important role in shaping the legacy of Black America.

This is a very special edition of my series brought to you by the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism.

They have created four curated Black Heritage Trip itineraries, focusing on four different areas of the state: Southern New Jersey, the Delaware River area, Central New Jersey, and Northern New Jersey. Each three-day road trip includes fantastic suggestions for dining, activities, and shopping. Be wowed by museums, battlefields, landmarks and theatres that honor Black history and culture. You will even find ways to support Black-owned businesses and eateries along the way. I am excited to provide highlights of each tour.

Northern New Jersey

Black culture thrives in northern New Jersey, from music to food to festivals. There is a lot of history and heritage here.

Check out the Newark Museum of Art, New Jersey's largest museum, for art collections from around the world. Specifically, the Arts of Global Africa Gallery features a collection of masks, sculptures, clothing, photography and more celebrating Black heritage.

Bethel Church of Morristown was established as Morris County's first Black church in 1843. For a time, it served as the county's only school for both Black and Native American students.

Little Ferry's Gethsemane Cemetery is on the National Register of Historic Places. It played a significant role in New Jersey's civil rights legislation in the 19th century, along with displaying West African burial customs. It is a quiet place for reflection and meditation.

Central New Jersey

The legacy of Black history in central New Jersey isn’t confined to the past—it is alive and evolving.

Travel to beautiful Red Bank in Monmouth County, to pay tribute to renowned jazz pianist and bandleader Count Basie. The world-class Count Basie Center for the Arts has a full schedule of musical and cultural performances throughout the year.

Somerville was the childhood home of New Jersey legend Paul Robeson, noted actor, singer, athlete, lawyer, and civil rights activist. St. Thomas AME Zion Church is an Underground Railroad site where Robeson's father (a former enslaved person) preached.

Finally, for a change of pace and breath of fresh air, visit Shady Rest Golf Course in Scotch Plains. It was the first Black-owned golf and country club in the United States, and the first with a Black membership.

Delaware River

There are a number of spots along the Delaware River through Burlington and Camden counties that explore and celebrate Black history. The most prominent of which might be the tiny borough of Lawnside.

You could argue that Lawnside was once New Jersey's most significant and largest Black community, dating back to the 1700s. In 1840, it became the first incorporated, self-governing Black town north of the Mason-Dixon Line.

The Peter Mott House was a stop on the Underground Railroad, owned by a free Black farmer and pastor.

Also in town is Mount Peace Cemetery, the final resting place for enslaved people, freed Black people, and war veterans who were excluded from "whites only" cemeteries. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.

Southern New Jersey

For those wanting to explore Black history in person, southern New Jersey offers plenty of prominent landmarks.

The charming seaside resort town of Cape May is known for its variety of tours during both the busy summertime and the calmer off-season. Cape May MAC (that's Museums, Arts, Culture) offers an outstanding two-hour Underground Railroad Trolley Tour. Hear stories of escape, civil rights, and humanity, with several stops along the way. It is part of the National Park Service's Network to Freedom.

Freedom fighter Harriet Tubman called Cape May home for a time. The Harriet Tubman Museum explores her life and work in freeing enslaved people, as a prominent station on the Underground Railroad.

Just to the north, Atlantic City mixes culture and fun, perfect for any day trip or weekend stay. Only a block off the Boardwalk on MLK Jr Blvd is the Civil Rights Garden, a beautiful and powerful tribute to the people and events of the Civil Rights movement. Also of note is Chicken Bone Beach, just south of Playground Pier, which became racially segregated in 1900 and fully desegregated in the 1960s. The Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation hosts several jazz festivals throughout the year.