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Quick answer: The Bridget Smith House is a mid-19th-century Irish miner’s home at 124 Randolph Avenue in Mine Hill, NJ, now run as a museum by the Ferromonte Historical Society. Built after Thomas Malona bought the lot in 1854, it was home to widow Bridget Smith from 1879 to 1907 and is listed on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places.
Updated October 2026 by the Shop Morris County team
Nestled in Mine Hill Township, New Jersey, the Bridget Smith House is a testament to the state’s rich iron mining history and a story of the early Irish settlers. From the late 1700s to the late 1800s, New Jersey became one of the leading iron producers in America; northwestern New Jersey, generally called the “highlands,” was an important mining area. Against this backdrop, the Bridget Smith House tells a story of immigration, resilience, and heritage preservation.
The Early Years: A New Beginning in Mine Hill
In the 1840s, during the iron mining boom, Irish immigrants flooded into America to work and start a new life. One such immigrant was Thomas Malona, whose name evolved into Maloney. On August 10, 1854, Malona bought a 30×150 lot in the “Irishtown” part of Mine Hill and constructed a humble home. From these humble beginnings would emerge the Bridget Smith House.
Bridget Smith’s Story
In 1879, the house was sold for $300 to Bridget Smith, a young widow with two children. She and her late husband, John Smith, relocated to Mine Hill in 1860. Her husband died in the mines, and she was left all alone to provide for her family. Bridget Smith lived in the same house until she died in 1907.
The McConnell Era: A Century of Continuity
Jessie and Ida McConnell moved into the house as renters in 1912. Ida McConnell made her stay in this house quite memorable. She lived there for the next 78 years until she died in the late 1990s at 103. The house remained the same throughout this time, retaining much of its mid-19th-century character. Modern conveniences were introduced gradually: electricity in the 1940s and running water in the 1980s.
The Bridget Smith Homestead
The great-grandchildren of Bridgette Smith donated the house to Mine Hill in 1993 for a dollar, guaranteeing its status as a historical site. Because of this kind gesture initiated efforts to establish what is now known as the “Bridget Smith Homestead” to restore and maintain the house as a cultural and historical landmark. Restorations were done and continue as needed to help retain this house’s historical integrity and significance.
The Bridget Smith House Today
The Bridget Smith House has a listing on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places. Still, it is also part of the New Jersey Women’s Heritage Trail, thus being an important piece in the cultural tapestry of the state. The Ferromonte Historical Society operates the museum to enlighten visitors about Mine Hill’s rich history and early settlers’ lives.
Situated at 124 Randolph Avenue in Mine Hill, NJ, the Bridget Smith House remains a piece of history and a window through which one could view the lives of many people involved in molding the legacy of iron mining in the region. In dedication to the thousands of Irish immigrants who came to America for a better life and their descendants, who kept their stories and legacies preserved for new generations to love and respect.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bridget Smith House in Mine Hill, NJ?
It is a historic home in the Irishtown section of Mine Hill that tells the story of the Irish immigrants who worked in New Jersey’s iron mines. It is listed on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places and is part of the New Jersey Women’s Heritage Trail.
Where is the Bridget Smith House located?
The Bridget Smith House is at 124 Randolph Avenue in Mine Hill, NJ. The Ferromonte Historical Society operates it as a museum about Mine Hill’s history and early settlers.
Who was Bridget Smith?
Bridget Smith was a young widow with two children who bought the house for $300 in 1879 after her husband, John Smith, died in the mines. She lived there until her death in 1907.
How did the Bridget Smith House become a historic site?
Bridget Smith’s great-grandchildren donated the house to Mine Hill in 1993 for one dollar. That gift launched the effort to restore and maintain it as the Bridget Smith Homestead.
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