The Hightstown-East Windsor Historical Society, founded in 1971, is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of Hightstown Borough and East Windsor Township through the stewardship of the Society’s historic Ely House and Camden & Amboy Railroad Freight Station as well as the ongoing preservation of photos, artifacts, and published documents.

The Ely House built in 1850 and acquired in 1974, was restored by volunteers and now serves as the Society’s headquarters and a window into 19th-century life. The Freight Station was relocated through the streets of Hightstown in 1990 in a remarkable preservation effort. A donation from the executors of the Sara Hutchinson West estate allowed the refurbishment of the Freight Station and creation of a research library and an exhibit area between the Ely House and Freight Station. The Freight Station was dedicated in 1999 and named the Sara Hutchinson West Educational Center The Center is used for most Society programing for adults and children, school tours and as a meeting space. The Society offers educational programming and engages the community in the stories that shaped our two communities. Regularly scheduled open houses are held on the first Sunday of the month from 1-3 pm.