Welcome

The Kingston Historical Society invites you to an Open House,
10 AM to 5 PM on Saturday April 6 and Sunday April 7.
The society will present an enlarged display space and a new exhibit:

Kingston’s Lock: History Preserved- Photos and Drawings from 1936 re-interpreted for the 21st Century”


Interested in helping? Learn how to JOIN us, or VOLUNTEER.


NOW ONLINE a VIDEO of Markus McParland talking about Kingston’s latest book during the November 14th, KHS Annual Meeting! Follow THIS LINK to view it.

Markus McParland shows off his book

Our website includes a list of upcoming EVENTS, information about our HISTORICAL SOCIETY and about KINGSTON NEW JERSEY and recent news in our “TELEGRAPH BLOG“, covering the Historical Society and the Community of Kingston.

Latest Historical Society News (Blog Posts)

(Older posts are available HERE)


Kingston Presbyterian Church 300th year event

Kingston celebrates the 300th Anniversary of the Kingston Presbyterian Church.
Watch the VIDEO of the June 3, 2023 anniversary presentation HERE
Other events listed on their WEBSITE


Kingston Locktender’s House open weekends from April 1st to November 30th.


Want to volunteer to join in the work of the Society?
(CLICK THIS LINK to learn more)



From the Telegraph – Recent Blog Topics:

... Looking for an older “Telegraph” Blog Post? Click HERE for a full list.


About the Society

The Kingston Historical Society (KHS) was formed in 1997 as a non-partisan, non-profit organization to preserve, enhance and promote the history of the village of Kingston, New Jersey.

Consider Volunteering! Learn More HERE or become a member (see below.)

KHS Ongoing Activities:

Locktender’s House Open Weekends

The Kingston Locktender’s House is normally open to the public every weekend during warmer weather.

The Locktender’s House will be open on Saturdays, Sundays and major holidays from 10 am to after 4 pm. It closes for the winter on December 1st, but will be open for our annual Holiday Tree Lighting.

Note that the building had no air conditioning and minimal air circulation. Please maintain social distancing. Also, there is no bathroom available in the Locktender’s House. The nearest bathroom is a portajohn in the parking lot across the entrance road. It is often removed during the winter.

To find the Locktender’s House on your mapping software, try this address: 39 Old Lincoln Highway, Princeton, NJ 08540, or GPS: 40°22’25.9″N 74°37’06.7″W Or look for it at the D&R Canal at the foot of the Kingston hill.

View Videos of Earlier Programs

Follow THIS LINK to see a list of recordings from past events.


This Website:

  • Announces upcoming events
  • Preserves reports of Kingston Historical Society activities
  • Archives information about Kingston, New Jersey’s history
  • Provides information about our Society

(Photo: A frame bridge at the Kingston Lock, ~ 1901)

Members help us survive.



canal barge print

”History is who we are and why we are the way we are..”David McCullough

We wouldn’t survive without the generous donations and contributions from our donors and patrons. The Kingston Historical Society (KHS) was formed in 1997 as a 501(c)3 non-partisan, non-profit organization to preserve, enhance and promote the history of the village of Kingston. The KHS has its headquarters in the Locktender’s House on the Delaware and Raritan Canal in New Jersey where it maintains the original circa 1830 home of families who operated the Kingston locks on the canal.

Our exhibits, the maintenance of the Locktender’s house, and our programs are produced and managed by volunteers in collaboration with numerous local historians and craftsmen.

Volunteer!