Archaeologists have located the original building constructed in 1796 to house the archives of the colony and the then-new State of New Jersey. Excavations along West State Street in front of the State House have exposed portions of the stone foundation of a fireproof structure specifically designed for the preservation of the State’s most valuable public records.

The discovery occurred as a current building security enhancement project outside the State House required the demolition and excavation of the concrete sidewalk, handicapped access ramps and curbing in front of the capitol. The remains of the historic 1796 structure began to emerge inches below the existing grade, just east of the State House’s front entrance.

Authorized by the legislature in 1795, local architect Jonathan Doane designed and constructed the building to house the Secretary of State and the Clerk of the Supreme Court, the original custodians of the State’s public records and archives. It was the second major public structure built by the State, after the State House itself, which Doane also constructed in 1791-92.

The archaeological excavation was unveiled to the public at an event on Thursday, April 6, 2006, at 3:00 p.m.

Photos of the Site