Whitesbog Village
Birthplace of the Cultivated Blueberry — Historic Cranberry and Blueberry Village in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, Largest Cranberry Farm in NJ in Early 1900s, Where Elizabeth White and Dr. Coville First Cultivated Highbush Blueberry in 1916, Historic Workers’ Cottages and Cranberry Sorting Buildings, Cranberry Bogs and Blueberry Fields Open for Walking, Hiking and Nature Trails Through Pine Barrens, Seasonal Blueberry Festival and Educational Programs, Within Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, Near Browns Mills Burlington County New Jersey
Whitesbog Village is a historic site within Brendan T. Byrne State Forest near Browns Mills, Burlington County, New Jersey, managed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) with preservation by the Whitesbog Preservation Trust. The site features the birthplace of cultivated highbush blueberry — where Elizabeth Coleman White and Dr. Frederick Coville first successfully developed and cultivated the highbush blueberry in 1916, historic workers’ cottages, cranberry sorting buildings, and a general store from the early 1900s, active cranberry bogs and blueberry fields open for walking and photography, hiking and nature trails through the surrounding Pine Barrens ecosystem, seasonal events including a popular blueberry festival, educational programs and guided tours about cranberry and blueberry agriculture, and a peaceful setting in one of the largest remaining tracts of undeveloped land on the Atlantic Coastal Plain.
Whitesbog was the largest cranberry farm in New Jersey in the early 1900s — and its global significance comes from being where the cultivated blueberry was born. Elizabeth White’s collaboration with USDA botanist Dr. Coville produced the first commercial highbush blueberry cultivars that now form the basis of a multi-billion-dollar worldwide industry.
The historic village is beautifully preserved — cranberry bogs and blueberry fields stretch in every direction, and the Pine Barrens setting provides excellent birding and wildlife viewing.
What to See
- Blueberry birthplace — 1916 cultivation site
- Historic village — workers’ cottages, sorting buildings
- Cranberry bogs — active, walkable
- Pine Barrens trails — hiking and nature
- Blueberry festival — seasonal
- Guided tours — educational programs
Site Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Browns Mills, Burlington County, NJ |
| Type | Historic site within Brendan T. Byrne SF |
| Significance | Birthplace of cultivated blueberry (1916) |
| Activities | Walking, hiking, tours, festivals |
| Camping | ❌ No (available at Brendan T. Byrne SF) |
| Managed By | NJ DEP / Whitesbog Preservation Trust |
| Coordinates | 39.9767° N, 74.5267° W |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the blueberry first cultivated?
The cultivated highbush blueberry was first developed at Whitesbog Village in the New Jersey Pine Barrens in 1916 by Elizabeth Coleman White and USDA botanist Dr. Frederick Coville. This historic site within Brendan T. Byrne State Forest near Browns Mills features the original cranberry bogs and blueberry fields, historic workers’ cottages, hiking trails through Pine Barrens, a seasonal blueberry festival, and guided tours. Preserved by the Whitesbog Preservation Trust.
Last updated: May 2026
