Baird Homestead

“Our light welcomes all visitors”

Thomas Baird Homestead circa 1830

The Thomas Baird House and land on Baird Rd, in Millstone Township is an excellent example of a center hall colonial. This farmhouse built around 1830 by Thomas Baird, who lived there for the rest of his life. It is a 5 bay center hall plan farmhouse with twin interior chimneys. It retains an original Greek Revival style front door with pilasters, four­light transom and sidelights.

Kitchen Fireplace

The Baird family were prominent early settlers in the Township, and Thomas Baird was born on the property originally called the Homestead Farm, owned by his father Captain David Baird. The Bairds owned about 500 acres in the northeastern section of Millstone Township (including the property Thomas later built his house on). Deeds date back to the 1700's and Bairds owned property in Millstone Township for almost 300 years. Captain David Baird was quite the character. He served in the Revolutionary War. He enlisted and was a private in 1776, Was promoted to 1st sergeant (in 1776) , then ensign, lieutenant, quartermaster and then Captain of the Militia in 1777. He served as Captain of the Lighthorse in Monmouth County's militia and was in the line of battle at Germantown PA then was called with his company to aid and protect Toms River and the Salt Works. He married 3 times and had 18 children, Thomas being on of them.

Living Room

Historically, the area is known as Bairdsville and at one time had its own post office. Thomas (and later, his son David) were in the nursery business and Thomas Baird was one of the original founders (and 1st vice­ president) of the Monmouth County Agricultural Society in 1853 along with Governor Joel Parker (also from Millstone Township) and others. Thomas was also elected a chosen freeholder in Monmouth County. They employed a number of African ­Americans who lived in the nearby settlement known at one time as Woodville, at the intersection of Baird, Woodville and Roberts Rd., originally selling lots to manumitted former slaves. Preliminary research indicates that in addition to wheat, rye and corn, the Bairds were among the first in the township to plant extensive orchards.

Allen Barns

In 2012 the Township was moving forward with a project on the Charles Allen Property on Stagecoach Road. It required the two 1800’s barns and house to be razed. A group of three concerned citizens (the founding members of the “Friends”) wanted to save these barns. 

4 stall horse and hay barn

They verified the structures’ soundness with experts from the New Jersey Barn Company and then petitioned the Township Committee for permission to dismantle and store the structures.  In September 2012, the group started three months of stripping three layers of siding materials from the beautiful timber frames.

hay barn

Enough money was collected to hire the New Jersey Barn Company to document, tag, raze and raise the structures.

24 Baird road

The new location for the razed barns. They now compliment the Baird homestead property. The smaller barn, the Wheel Wright shop is now our Blacksmith shop. The larger barn, host many events and displays throughout the year.  This was made possible by a generous grant from Monmouth County Board of Freeholders, through the Municipal Open Space Program.

Charles Allen

A prominent businessman who lived and worked in the hamlet of Clarksburg in the early 1800’s. he was a very energetic gentleman. He owned a general store which was located directly across from his home on Stagecoach Road, along with a steam saw mill in Perrineville. He held many offices in town. Was sheriff for the county for two terms. Trustee for the school board, and Clarksburg’s third postmaster. He held office in the state legislature, and was a freeholder for many years. He’s most noted accomplishment to the towns people, was the love of the Clarksburg Church.

Clarksburg Cultural Center

 In December of 2015 the Township was awarded a grant from Monmouth County Board of Freeholders through the Municipal Open Space Grant Program.  This generous grant allowed us to restore failing foundation issues, and needed roof repairs. 

finished project 2018

Surrounding this treasure is the cemetery, a veritable book of Clarksburg's history. This meeting house played a very important part of developing our Township and offers a rich historic legacy. Clarksburg, was a village inside the boundaries of Millstone Township.

The building now called the Clarksburg Cultural Center, will once again offer many educational and cultural opportunities for the community.  Located on Route 524, 512 Stagecoach Rd, Clarksburg NJ.   

1845 Clarksburg methodist Episcopal Church

Construction started in 1844, under the tutelage of David Bowman, a staunch Methodist, and local businessman.  The outside walls are clapboard, and rests on a sandstone foundation. This building  preserved its nineteen century simplicity, and precisely because of its devoid modern embellishments, it remains a gem of church architecture. 

Picture circa early 1900

1892 brought change to the building. The front porch now displays one single split door, and a newly erected steeple.

The doors close in 1989, as a house of pray due to dwindling membership.  The building was saved from being demolished by the help of neighbors, wanting to save the Townships history.  The Township took ownership in December 1997, and was listed on the State and National Registry of Historic Places in February 1999 for its architecture value. 

The School House

Clarksburg School House circa 1850

The school land was part of the original block of land owned by David Bowman, founder of the former Clarksburg Church, now the Clarksburg Cultural Center.  Mr. Bowman sold a plot of land in 1850  for $20.00 to the Township so it could, “furnish itself with a school”. The school house, in 1926 was  sold back to the church for $50.00 to be used as a caretakers home.

In December of  2018 the Township purchase the school with funding from NJ green acres program and the Monmouth County Open Space grant program. It will serve the Township with much needed office space, and give the cultural center parking and restrooms.