10 Most 2025: Boylan House – Bernardsville (Somerset County)

The Boylan House is the second-oldest building in downtown Bernardsville, surpassed only by the historic Vealtown Tavern. The Boylan House reflects the town’s Revolutionary War heritage and its connection to one of its founding families. Dr. James Boylan, born in 1743 to Scotch-Irish immigrants, became a respected physician and landowner in Somerset County. He served as the family doctor to Lord Stirling, a key figure in George Washington’s command during the Revolutionary War. Boylan owned over 135 acres, including a gristmill, and his family played a significant role in the area’s early history. 

The property, now owned through an LLC by a former local official, was declared "in need of redevelopment" in 2021 despite strong public opposition. This designation allows more intensive development than typically permitted. Advance Realty of Bedminster plans to demolish the Boylan House to build a five-story mixed-use apartment complex. 

Preserving the Boylan House is about more than saving a structure. It’s about honoring the roots of the community, safeguarding its identity, and ensuring that future generations can stand where history happened.