Colonial Farms
A historic Georgian-style farmhouse and former Voorhees residence in Middlebush, New Jersey.
Last updated October 26, 2026
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Overview
Colonial Farms, also known as the Voorhees House, is a historic property at 1719 Amwell Road in the Middlebush section of Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey. It is not a conventional commercial brand or operating company; the name identifies an important historic building and farm property within the Middlebush Village Historic District. The principal house was constructed in 1793 by P. Metz in the Georgian style and is regarded as the oldest building in the district. The site also includes a large red-shingle Dutch barn dating from the nineteenth century, which is recognized as a contributing resource to the historic district. The property’s history reaches back to the early eighteenth century. In 1703, Denyse Teunissen, who had moved from the Netherlands through Long Island, acquired the land. Christian VanDoren later purchased 357 acres from Teunissen in 1723. The larger tract was subsequently divided into seven farms, one of which was acquired by Garrett Voorhees I for his residence. Ownership then passed to his son, Garrett Voorhees II. The property was affected by the Revolutionary War. On June 19, 1777, the Voorhees home was burned during General Cornwallis’s retreat from the Somerset County Courthouse. Garrett Voorhees II used compensation received from the British to rebuild the residence. That rebuilt structure is the building now known as Colonial Farms. Its survival provides a physical link between the colonial settlement of central New Jersey, the Revolutionary War, and the later development of Middlebush as a village community. In 1834, the location was used in the organization of the Middlebush Reformed Church, adding a religious and civic dimension to its history. Over time, the property also served commercial and hospitality purposes. Before its current use, the building housed O’Connor’s Beef ’N Chowder House. In 2011, it was sold to a new owner and became the Stage House Tavern. The current hospitality use means that the historic structure remains part of the community’s active built environment, although Colonial Farms itself is best understood as a heritage property rather than as a consumer brand. Its historical significance rests on its eighteenth-century reconstruction, association with the Voorhees family, Revolutionary War connection, Georgian architecture, Dutch barn, and role within the Middlebush Village Historic District.
History
The history of Colonial Farms begins with the early European settlement of the Middlebush area. Denyse Teunissen, originally from the Netherlands and later associated with Long Island, purchased the property in 1703. In 1723, Christian VanDoren acquired a 357-acre tract from Teunissen. The land was eventually divided into seven farms, reflecting the subdivision and agricultural development of the region. One of these farms was purchased by Garrett Voorhees I, who established a home there. His son, Garrett Voorhees II, later inherited the property. The Voorhees residence was destroyed on June 19, 1777, when General Cornwallis burned it during his retreat from the Somerset County Courthouse in the Revolutionary War period. Following the destruction, Voorhees received compensation from the British and used the funds to rebuild his home. The rebuilt structure, completed in 1793 by P. Metz in a Georgian architectural style, is the building subsequently known as Colonial Farms or the Voorhees House. The house became part of the evolving civic life of Middlebush. In 1834, it was used in connection with the organization of the Middlebush Reformed Church. The property also retains a large red-shingle Dutch barn dating from the nineteenth century. Both the house and barn contribute to the historical character of the Middlebush Village Historic District, with the house identified as the district’s oldest building. In the modern period, Colonial Farms was adapted for hospitality use. The building housed O’Connor’s Beef ’N Chowder House before changing hands in 2011. After its sale to a new owner, it became the Stage House Tavern. This transition illustrates the continuing reuse of historic structures in New Jersey: the property’s function changed from farm residence and community landmark to restaurant and tavern, while its architectural and historical identity remained tied to the Colonial Farms and Voorhees House names. The available reference material does not establish a separate corporate entity, brand portfolio, financial profile, executive structure, or product range associated with Colonial Farms.
- 2011
Property becomes Stage House Tavern
[1]After the building was sold to a new owner, it began operating as the Stage House Tavern.
- 1834
Site connected with the organization of Middlebush Reformed Church
[1]The property was used in the organization of the Middlebush Reformed Church, reinforcing its role in local civic and religious history.
- 1793
The present Georgian-style house is built
[1]Using compensation received after the wartime loss, Garrett Voorhees II rebuilt the residence. P. Metz constructed the surviving Georgian-style building known as Colonial Farms.
- 1777
Voorhees residence burned during the Revolutionary War
[1]The home of Garrett Voorhees II was burned on June 19 during General Cornwallis’s retreat from the Somerset County Courthouse.
- 1723
Christian VanDoren purchases the larger tract
[1]Christian VanDoren acquired 357 acres from Teunissen, establishing the larger agricultural tract that was later divided into several farms.
- 1703
Denyse Teunissen acquires the property
[1]Denyse Teunissen, who had moved from the Netherlands through Long Island, purchased the land associated with the later Colonial Farms property.
Products and positioning
A preserved historic farmhouse and heritage site with a later role as a hospitality venue.
Controversies
2020
Colonial Farms fined after workplace injury
WorkSafeBC fined Colonial Farms Ltd. $38,930.83 after an employee was seriously injured at its Armstrong chicken-processing plant. WorkSafeBC determined that the machine lacked adequate safeguards and that lockout procedures were not in place.
Recent events
Colonial Farms fined after workplace injury[2]
Reported:
WorkSafeBC fined Colonial Farms Ltd. $38,930.83 after an employee was seriously injured at its Armstrong chicken-processing plant. WorkSafeBC determined that the machine lacked adequate safeguards and that lockout procedures were not in place.
Sources2 sources
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