The Miller-Cory House Museum Westfield NJ 

The “West Fields” (Yup – that’s where Westfield got its name!) were once the crossroads between the major cities of Philadelphiaand New Yorkin colonial America, and our area was shaped as a cultural corridor because of this. Two different 18^th century farming families, both descended from early settlers in this area, occupied a home in the heart ofWestfield.  We can thank the Millers and the Corys for helping to keep the memories of their era alive via The Miller-Cory House, located at614 Mountain Avenue, and run by The Westfield Historical Society.

Construction of the two story farmhouse began in 1740, when Samuel and Sabra Miller first married.  The property later came into the hands of Joseph Cory in 1782, and remained in the Cory family until 1921.  Today, the Miller-Cory House is on The National Register of Historic Places, and operates as a “living museum.”  The museum is open every Sunday (except for holidays), between 2:00 and 4:00 PM, and it is also available for pre-arranged weekday tours for groups.  It’s a fantastic way for both adults and children to step back in time, and to not only see, but to feel and experience first hand what life was like in this area in the 18^th century.  Costumed guides bring guests through the house as they describe the lifestyle of the past, introduce them to a variety of colonial skills and arts, and even demonstrate the art of food preparation on the open hearth.  Miller-Cory volunteers sometimes even travel to nearby schools and community groups to demonstrate a variety of colonial artifacts and crafts, and to act out, in period costume, life in Victorian Westfield.

The Miller-CoryMuseum is nationally recognized, so why not take advantage of this gem right here in our area?  Chances are, when the kids see what was involved in the day-to-day activities of the children of their colonial ancestors, they will be less likely to complain about having to wait that whole 60 seconds for the macaroni and cheese to heat in the microwave, or about having to spend one hour a week mowing the lawn or raking the leaves.  Well, we can hope . . . . .