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Perched atop a bluff overlooking the Delaware River in Fieldsboro is the White Hill Mansion, one of the Garden State’s most captivating historic landmarks. With over 300 years of history packed into its walls, this place has stories to tell.
A Revolutionary Past
The story begins in 1722, when Robert Field built his first home on the bluff. By the time the American Revolution broke out, the mansion was squarely in the middle of the conflict. The British Army searched it for spies. Hessian mercenaries used it as headquarters. Through it all, Mary Peale Field, widow of the original owner, managed to save the mansion from destruction. She even hosted the head of the Hessian regiment for tea while secretly sheltering American sympathizers.
The Speakeasy in the Basement
In 1922, the mansion became an upscale restaurant. The owner immediately hand-dug the basement three feet deeper because Prohibition was raging and people were going to drink regardless. The first floor served New Jersey’s upper class. The basement hid a fully operational speakeasy. The arrangement went on for years, and the secret was apparently the worst-kept one in Burlington County.
Events for the Public
The Friends of White Hill Mansion, a nonprofit dedicated to preservation, keeps the mansion active year-round:
- History Tours — Day tours covering 300 years of American history
- Ghost Hunts — Nighttime investigations in one of NJ’s most haunted spots. Featured on Ghost Hunters, Kindred Spirits, and Paranormal Lockdown
- Paranormal Expos — Full-day events with investigators, psychics, and enthusiasts
- Photography Workshops — Explore the mansion’s atmospheric rooms with your camera
- Public Tours — visit their website to see the upcoming tours
My Experience at Whitehill Mansion
A few years ago I was doing a photo campaign called “Abandoned Beauty”. I paired up adopted dogs with historic places in NJ that needed some exposure. Whitehill Mansion opened their arms and embraced my little project and I was thrilled to get to experience it. Ms. Piggy, who was 15 in this picture had been adopted by a wonderful family a few years earlier. She was my super model for my day at Whitehill Mansion.
As you can see, the house was undergoing restoration, but once the photo shoot was done, I got the grand tour of the inside. Of course the star of the show was the speakeasy in the basement! I will share more images, once I get them off my dead MAC.
