The Merchants and Drovers Tavern Museum

05/08/2026

The Old Girl Scout House or Merchants and Drovers?! Wow! We had a lot of impassioned comments over the name of the building!

We even had some questions as to whether or not the wrap-around porch was original to the building. The wrap-around porch pictured in the last post was *not* original to the building.

We believe the porch was added during the late nineteenth century, when they became fashionable during the height of the Victorian architectural movement. We cannot confirm an exact date when the porch was removed, but we do know it was not present during the Historic American Buildings Survey that was done in 1933.

Truth be told, we also like our nickname as the Old Girl Scout House and we seek to honor the legacy and impact the Girl Scouts had in the story of the building's history.

To this end, we have conducted exhibit research, compiled oral histories, and collected artifacts for an upcoming exhibit to be installed after the interior restoration is complete. Working with former scouts, this new, important exhibit will be titled: Feels Like Home: The Girl Scout House 1933-1969.

Watch this space for updates!

05/06/2026

The museum has had a lot of names over the years: The Old Tavern, The People's Hotel, Lambert's Hotel, Schwindinger's Hotel, The Girl Scout House, The Rahway Historical Society, and now, the Merchants and Drovers! Which is your favorite?

Here we are as the St. Georges Hotel! Look at that porch!

05/02/2026

Come down and see us at the Friends of White Hill Mansion Paranormal Expo! We'll be here all day - lots of vendors, lots of guests, lots of fun!!

04/30/2026

We'll see you there!!

Join us on May 2, 2026, and will feature a range of activities, including paranormal investigations, workshops, and meet-and-greets with celebrity guests.
Orgainzed by South Jersey Ghost Research and The Friends of White Hill Mansion, with all proceeds going towards the restoration and preservation of the mansion
Tickets for the event are available online at :

https://whitehillmansionparacon.com

04/30/2026

Not to get technical or anything, but here is a drawing from the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) that was done in 1933.

HABS was one of the very first preservation programs in the United States launched during the Great Depression to document historic structures before they were lost.

Architects, draftsmen, and photographers fanned out across the country creating detailed drawings, photographs, and written histories of buildings just like ours!

04/29/2026

Check out this wonderful Union County event on 4/30!

Dr. Daisy Century as Phillis Wheatley Dr. Daisy Century as Phillis Wheatley Click here to Register Dive into the powerful stories and legacy of famed Poet Phillis Wheatley in this inspiring live event you won’t want to miss. Plainfield Performing Arts Center (PPAC)Plainfield, NJ Thursday, Apr 30 f...

04/28/2026

Beer and a Tavern-Made, Hearth-Cooked Lunch? Yes, please! Join us this Sunday for our Colonial Brewing: An Immersive History Experience event from 10-4! You'll learn how beer was made in the 18th-century and even take home a growler of beer to ferment on your own! Register today! We only have room for 20 participants! https://www.merchantsanddrovers.org/colonial-brewing

04/28/2026

Step back in time and raise a mug to history!

Join us for a hands-on Colonial Beer Brewing experience where we’ll ditch the modern gadgets and brew the 18th-century way. No thermometers, no timers, just skill, instinct, and a little historical grit.

Whether you’re a seasoned homebrewer ready for a challenge or totally new to the craft, this is your chance to learn the art of brewing as it was done centuries ago. From malting grain to the magic of fermentation, you’ll see (and smell!) history come to life.

Spots are limited so don’t miss your chance to brew like it’s 1776!

https://www.merchantsanddrovers.org/colonial-brewing