Old Middletown Train Station Will Become Town Museum In 2026

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — The old Middletown train station, which was built in 1876 and has not been used in decades, since the current one was built, will be turned into a museum about Middletown.

This is the very old train station building that sits in the daily commuter parking lot across the street from the Middletown train station and the Middletown Arts Center. It used to be home to the Middletown Police Auxiliary.

Now, the Middletown Historical Society plans to use the station as an exhibit space, where they will host exhibits about the rich history of Middletown and the surrounding area. Middletown was originally a farming community (slaves were even held in Middletown), and this area was a fierce battleground during the American Revolutionary War, as there were many wealthy, land-owning English loyalists (Tories) in Middletown.

It will not open as a museum until 2026.

In the last couple years, the Middletown Historical Society put up exhibits in the front lobby of Town Hall.

Now, the Historical Society will have a home of their own.

"We have been looking for a physical home for quite some time, and are very grateful to the mayor, Township and Middletown Police for making the historic train station available to us,” said Thomas Valenti, President of the Middletown Township Historical Society. “We can’t wait to provide this new historical resource to the people of Middletown.”

At their September 23 meeting, the Middletown Township Committee agreed to lease the train station to the Historical Society, a non-profit.

“As Middletown Township celebrates its 360th birthday this year, and the nation honors its semiquincentennial in 2026, it’s the perfect time to partner with the Middletown Township Historical Society to use this historic building as a museum to showcase our rich heritage,” said Middletown Mayor Tony Perry.

Those interested in joining the Middletown Township Historical Society can learn more at MiddletownNJHistory.org. The all-volunteer organization was established in 1968, and previously operated museums in the Seabrook-Wilson House (formerly known as the Spy House) and the MacLeod-Rice House (at Croydon Hall).

Learn more about Middletown's history: Middletown's History Of Slavery Explored At Marlpit Hall