William and Sarah Hancock House in the 1930's

William and Sarah Hancock House built their house in Hancock's Bridge in Salem County. The Hancock's initials and the date the house was erected were proclaimed in brick above the distinctive zig-zag pattern on the west gable end. March 21, 1778: English loyalist raiders massacred the patriots sleeping in the house. 1931: The State of New Jersey purchased the Hancock House for its historical significance. The house was maintained by the Salem County Historical Society. 1947: The State of New Jersey assumed maintenance of the house. 1991: The site was closed to the public due to State funding reductions which did not allow for a caretaker/curator or for system repairs and restoration, though it was designated a stop on the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail.

September 1994: Preservation Salem, Incorporated initiated a public letter writing campaign to State officials to have the Hancock House reopened.

November 1995: Preservation Salem, Incorporated helped local activists form Friends of the Hancock House, Inc., to continue efforts to reopen the site. The Friends can be contacted at P.O. 78, Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038.

Summer 1996 - present: The NJ Division of Parks & Forestry began a series of improvements to the house, including a new cedar shingle roof, repairs to window sills, removal of the 1970's kitchen shed, interior plaster repairs, site and access improvements, a security system, exterior lighting.

March 21, 1998: The Hancock House was opened to the public on the 220th anniversary of the massacre.

February 1999: Selected furnishings and artifacts removed from the house in 1991 were returned to the house.