504 Route 9 North
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Phone 1-609-465-3535

The Robert Morris Holmes House is significant not only for the contributions its residents made to county history, but for its architecture. The rear section, built about 1704, is significant as a well-preserved example of first period (ca. 1690-ca. 1730) heavy timber frame construction, also known as post-and-beam construction. This method of building was brought first to the Massachusetts Bay area of New England by English settlers in the 17th century. As Massachusetts Bay area colonists migrated to other parts of the eastern seaboard in the 17th century, they took their building traditions with them. In the 1640s and 1650s, they settled on Long Island, New York, many lured by the thriving whaling industry there. From Long Island, these New Englanders (or their descendants) moved to New Jersey in the last quarter of the 17th century, settling not only in East Jersey (including Essex, Union, and Middlesex counties), but in West Jersey as well, particularly in Salem (now Cumberland), Gloucester (now Atlantic), and Cape May counties. Those who moved to Cape May County were attracted by both the lucrative whaling industry there and the availability of large tracts of land which could be purchased relatively cheaply. Although heavy timber frame construction was once common in New Jersey, few examples remain. Cape May County appears to have the most extant examples of exposed heavy timber frame construction in the state, and in numbers large enough, within Cape May County at least, that they cannot be considered as rare survivors of this construction type. During the first construction period in Cape May County, corner posts were generally of a substantial size (usually a minimum of 8" x 8") and they were shouldered, having either a flare (like that seen in this house) or a gunstock profile. Also common to the construction period were hand-planed flush board walls, which survive in this house. Other characteristics of this construction period include hand-hewn or mill-sawn joists which were exposed overhead. Although overly small by 21st century standards, its one-room per story floor plan was typical for Cape May dwellings well into the 19th century. The main block, built about 1830, is significant as a well-preserved example of Federal style architecture. With its center hall/double parlor plan, beautifully carved mantels, impressive fanlight over the front door, graceful staircase, and high ceilings, the house exemplifies the highest expression of that period of architecture in Cape May County. This part of the dwelling was built by Reuben and Downs Foster, house carpenters who lived in Lower Township and who were responsible for building many other Federal-style houses in the county during the early to mid-1800s. Also architecturally important is the ca. 1780 barn built in Upper Township by Uriah Young and moved onto the property in the 1970s; like the Cresse portion of the house, it is also built with heavy timber frame construction. The barn and two other outbuildings on the property-a ca. 1900 outhouse and a ca. 1900 milk house--are all significant as types of outbuildings that were once commonly found in Cape May County, but of which few survive. The gravel brick storage building, erected about 1855, is also significant as it represents of a type of construction popularized nationally in the mid-19th century, but of which few examples remain. Thus, the history of the Holmes House follows the general history of the county, encompassing its settlement in the late 1600s, the use of land primarily for farming from the late 17th century through the early 20th century, the sale of its acreage in the mid-20th century as farming waned and the demand for small building lots outside of the county seat increased, and finally as a residence for a local doctor and his family. As stewards of the Holmes House, the Cape May County Historical and Genealogical Society preserves the home and its outbuildings for present and future generations to enjoy. These buildings are a significant part of Cape May County's history, not only for their associations with noteworthy county residents but also because they represent fine craftsmanship, they have unique architectural character, and they allow the public to see the ways in which people lived in an earlier age.