Dr. James Still Office
New Jersey’s African American Medical Pioneer — “Black Doctor of the Pines” 1812–1882, Self-Taught Herbalist Physician, First African American Property Preserved by NJ DEP, Brother of Underground Railroad Leader William Still, National Register of Historic Places, Medford Burlington County New Jersey
Dr. James Still Office is a state historic site and education center at 210 Medford-Mt. Holly Road, Medford, Burlington County, New Jersey. This preserved office of Dr. James Still (1812–1882), known as the “Black Doctor of the Pines,” is the first African American property in New Jersey to be preserved by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. Listed on both the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places, the site features the historic medical office where Dr. Still practiced herbal medicine, a visitor center and education center interpreting his life and achievements, nature trails through the Pine Barrens landscape, exhibits on 19th-century African American history in South Jersey, and connections to the broader Underground Railroad story through his brother William Still.
The Black Doctor of the Pines
Born to parents who had escaped slavery, James Still overcame extraordinary racial and financial barriers to become one of the most respected medical practitioners in Burlington County. Despite being denied access to formal medical school, he extensively studied the healing properties of plants and herbs, developing a successful practice using his own remedies, including a widely regarded “cough balm.” He chronicled his remarkable life in his 1877 autobiography, “Early Recollections and Life of Dr. James Still.”
Family Legacy
Dr. Still’s legacy extends beyond his own achievements. His brother, William Still, became one of the most important figures in the Underground Railroad, helping hundreds of enslaved people escape to freedom. Dr. Still’s son, James Thomas Still, went on to become one of the first African American graduates of Harvard Medical School in 1871 — a remarkable family legacy of overcoming adversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Dr. Still called the “Black Doctor of the Pines”?
He was an African American self-taught physician who practiced herbal medicine in the New Jersey Pine Barrens throughout the 19th century.
What is the connection to the Underground Railroad?
Dr. Still’s brother, William Still, was a famous conductor on the Underground Railroad who helped hundreds of enslaved people reach freedom.
Wildlife & Nature
Dr. James Still Office — preserves the medical office of Dr. James Still (1812-1882), the “Black Doctor of the Pines” — a self-taught African American physician who became one of the most respected doctors in South Jersey despite never attending medical school. Songbirds inhabit the surrounding trees.
Nearby Attractions
Medford — adjacent. Wharton SF — 10 miles south. Batsto Village — 15 miles south.
