METUCHEN, NJ – The Borough of Metuchen has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the state of New Jersey to preserve the historic Colonial Cemetery. Mayor Jonathan M. Busch announced the funding, which is allocated from the state budget, will be used to help maintain and restore the historic burying ground.
Established between 1715 and 1730, the Colonial Cemetery is associated with the Presbyterian Church and holds a significant place in Metuchen’s history. The one-acre cemetery contains approximately 500 marked graves and 60 unmarked graves dating from the early 1700s to the late 1800s. Notably, it is the final resting place of 66 veterans of the Revolutionary War, according to Revolutionary War New Jersey.
“This funding is critically important as we approach the Semiquincentennial of the United States, our 250th birthday on July 4, 2026,” Mayor Busch emphasized. The grant will enable the borough to undertake essential preservation efforts in anticipation of the nation’s milestone anniversary.
Mayor Busch acknowledged the instrumental role played by District 18 legislators Sen. Patrick Diegnan and Assemblymen Robert Karabinchak and Sterley Stanley in securing the funding for this important project.
The grant represents a significant investment in the preservation of Metuchen’s heritage and ensures that the Colonial Cemetery will continue to serve as a tribute to the individuals who shaped the borough’s past.
