Samuel Fleming House, formerly known as Fleming Castle Museum
The charming, white clapboard house at 5 Bonnell Street, built in 1756, has had many names. During most of the 1900s' it was known as Fleming Castle.
The building was a private residence from 1756 until 1927 when it was given to the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to use as their headquarters. When Flemington Borough purchased the house in 2005 from the DAR to be used as a historic community property, a Board of Trustees was named, an education program developed, and a volunteer group known as "Friends of Fleming Castle" formed. For the first time in its history 5 Bonnell Street was open to the public on a regular basis, and Education Outreach program to elementary schools began, an programs of public interest are presented.
The earlier name of the building, Fleming Castle, was obviously not accurate and many visitors questioned it. In November 2009 the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to change the name, Borough Council approved, and the name confusion is ended. Simply, Samuel Fleming built the house about 1756, he and his family lived there and although it was structurally far above most dwellings in the general area, it was a house not a castle.
The new name "Samuel Fleming House" was introduced to Flemington Borough and Raritan Employees and volunteers at their reorganization dinners in January, and at the same time the model of the house was displayed.
William Wachter, assisted by Les Hoffman, has built a perfect scale model of the house. The 1:12 model is based upon a WPA architectural drawing form the 1930s'. Its detailed construction is of luan and orange crate plywood. The interior reflects certain changes from the original building such as smaller fireplaces, made during the Colonial Period restoration by the DAR in the late twenties.
In addition to Mr. Wachter's contribution of his time, patience and talent in building the 3-part replica, his employer, Exxon Mobil has donated matching funds from their Volunteer Involvement Program to Samuel Fleming House programs.