| Belvidere's Rich Victorian-Era Heritage |
Officially incorporated in 1845, Belvidere received its name from Robert Morris, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The area actually became the seat of Warren County government even prior to its incorporation. Belvidere's early days came as England's Queen Victoria ascended her throne, launching what was to be called the Victorian Era. She reigned over her subjects for more than four decades, setting trends in fashion, culture, even architecture.
During that time Belvidere was also coming into its own as a crossroads of commerce, greatly aided by its location at the meeting point of two important rivers. Citizens thrived economically and the town's size grew from commercial successes in river transport, mining, farming, and retail. This enabled rise of a new leisure class with a desire for the finest material goods. The American Civil War temporarily interrupted this movement but it quickly resumed with the re-arrival of peace.
Economic success enabled residents to emulate England's Victorian trends and practices as they swept across the Atlantic. The Era impacted many aspects of culture including courtship and marriage, entertaining friends, clothing for both men and women, religious services, even burial and mourning rites.
Today, we see the legacy of this bygone era. For example, more than one hundred of the town's residential, commercial, and municipal structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, many of them reflecting classic Victorian architecture. You'll find several boutique shops offering Victorian Era clothing and furnishings, both authentic and reproductions. Shopkeepers are knowledgeable about town history and can serve as surrogate tour guides if you have questions.
All these sights can be easily enjoyed by taking a leisurely walk off the several streets leaving the town Square. Even walking through Belvidere's cemetery is to revisit decades of town history, each grave marker yielding some dramatic story or another. Victorian Belvidere is unique among New Jersey travel destinations.
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