Boxwood Hall, tucked into the heart of Elizabeth, New Jersey, is one of the state’s most significant colonial landmarks. Built around 1750, this Georgian-style mansion served as the home of Elias Boudinot, President of the Continental Congress, who hosted George Washington here on April 23, 1789, as Washington traveled to his first inauguration in New York City. The property later belonged to Jonathan Dayton, the youngest signer of the U.S. Constitution, making it a rare site connected to two towering figures of the American founding.

Today the house operates as a state historic site, offering visitors a window into 18th-century life in the mid-Atlantic colonies. The restored interior features period furnishings and exhibits detailing Boudinot’s role in negotiating prisoner exchanges during the Revolutionary War and his later service as the first director of the U.S. Mint. The grounds, though modest in size compared to rural historic estates, include mature plantings that echo the formal gardens Boudinot maintained.

Visitors should plan for a focused visit of about an hour. The site is best enjoyed in spring and fall when the grounds are at their most inviting, though the indoor exhibits make any season worthwhile. Guided tours are available and recommended, as docents bring the political intrigues and daily rhythms of colonial Elizabeth to life in ways the displays alone cannot.

Boxwood Hall sits within easy reach of downtown Elizabeth’s restaurants and the Elizabeth River Trail, making it a natural anchor for a half-day exploring Union County’s historic corridor.

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