![]() He extended the archway until it became a tunnel that led all the way back to the house. He built a stone archway over a patio on the bank, under which he hosted picnics for the Bonaparte family and guests. The tunnels grew out of Joseph Bonaparte’s idea to improve the banks of Crosswicks Creek. He constructed scale models prior to breaking ground for any new structure on the property. The tunnels piqued the curiosity of his neighbors, who imagined that the ex-king might one day need a secret escape route to outwit an enemy but, as a former servant recalled in 1891, the tunnels represented nothing so nefarious.Īrchitecture was a hobby for Joseph Bonaparte. ![]() The mansion was connected via tunnels to outlying homes and lookout structures. From his balcony, he enjoyed the sunsets, which he likened to those of Venice. Joseph Bonaparte’s mansion overlooked the confluence of the Delaware River and Crosswicks Creek. Prince Charles, an esteemed ornithologist, formed ties with Audubon, joined the Academy of Natural Sciences in nearby Philadelphia, and worked on his completion of Alexander Wilson’s classic American Ornithology during his residence with Uncle Joseph. Swans and other birds made the lake their home, much to the delight of Joseph Bonaparte’s nephew, Prince Charles Lucien Bonaparte. Guests sailed to the islands in small boats shaped like swans. Joseph Bonaparte revitalized his New Jersey estate in European style, planting trees and ornamental shrubbery, marking gracefully curving paths, and damming Crosswicks Creek to make his own lake, which featured islands upon which he planted exotic flora. Two British frigates tried to block their passage-they thought the ship carried Napoleon, rather than Joseph Bonaparte–but the Commerce evaded them, and moored safely.įrom New York, Bonaparte was shuffled to Philadelphia, where Henry Clay, Secretary of State, provided the ex-king a hotel room.Bonaparte stowed most of his valuables in Switzerland, but he toted a suitcase full of jewels as he traveled from Philadelphia to Bordentown to buy an estate known as Point Breeze, where Joseph Bonaparte built an oasis from the sometimes turbulent Bonaparte family history, and carved his name in the history of New Jersey. Captain Misservy of the Commerce collected 18,000 francs to carry an “ordinary passenger,” complete with entourage, to New York.īonaparte pressed the captain to put him ashore on Long Island, but the captain refused. ![]() ![]() Joseph Bonaparte was smuggled into the country in disguise. He occupies a unique place in the history of New Jersey. Wendy Cooper notes that Joseph Bonaparte was “one of the most significant catalysts in disseminating European culture and artistic knowledge to early nineteenth century Americans.” Joseph Bonaparte, the ex-king of Spain, was happy in Bordentown, at peace with his exile. New Jersey passed a bill to allow Joseph Bonaparte to purchase land, and thereby secure a foothold for the Bonaparte family on American soil. Please register at the following link: Bonaparte’s Point Breeze.The Bonaparte family tree and the history of New Jersey merged when Joseph Bonaparte built an estate at Point Breeze, near Bordentown, on the Delaware River.įirst France, then Spain shunned Napoleon’s older brother, Joseph Bonaparte, but New Jersey welcomed him. Co-sponsored by the Pennington Public Library, the Hopewell Valley Historical Society, and the Hopewell Museum. Richard Veit, historical archaeologist focussing on the Middle Atlantic Region of the US between the late 17th and early 19th centuries will present the latest findings from the Point Breeze excavations and provide a unique glimpse of the lifestyles of the rich and famous in 19th century New Jersey. At Point Breeze in Bordentown, he entertained many of the leading intellectuals, politicians, artists, and military figures of the day. Recent archaeological excavations in Bordentown, New Jersey have unearthed the remains of one of Joseph Bonaparte’s palatial estates, Point Breeze. Archaeological excavations have revealed an intriguing collection of artifacts. During this period, he built two palatial homes, and acted as an unofficial cultural attaché. His home was a center for French refugees in America. He fled to the United States in 1815 and lived in New Jersey from 1816 until 1839. Joseph Bonaparte was the elder brother of Napoleon Bonaparte and former King of Spain and Naples.
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