The house used by Rancocas Nature Center was built in 1856 by Charles Longstreth Mather and his wife Naomi Passmore McIlvanin Mather.  The east end was probably added around 1869-1870.  In 1909 when Naomi died the house became the property of Charles Mather and his daughter Susan Mather.  She married long-term friend Frank Hilyard after her mother's death.  In front of the house was a beautiful Boxwood Hedge for which they were offered $1000 by Longwood Gardens of Kennett Square, PA but they declined.  The property was later purchased by William G. McIlvain.  In 1939 a portion of the 179 acres including buildings were sold to Seymour W. and Lucretia Ferris for $4,000.  In 1966 Mrs. Ferris, widow, sold those acres to the State of New Jersey to be included in the Rancocas State Park. 

In 1768 the Rogers Family built a house and grist mill down by Rancocas Creek which at that time was a transportation route to the Delaware River and into Philadelphia.  The Mathers lived in that house while building the one that eventually became Rancocas Nature Center.

Rankokus Indian Reservation is a neighbor of the Rancocas Nature Center.  Their land connects to land leased to New Jersey Audubon Society. 

In 1980, the State of New Jersey, by Resolution of its Senate with the concurrence of the General Assembly, recognized the Powhatan Renape Nation.  The resolution also called upon the Congress of the United States to recognize the Powhatan Renape Nation.

In 1982 the Powhatan Renape Nation negotiated an agreement with the State of New Jersey to take over 350 acres of state owned land in the town of Westhampton.  The property is now recognized by the state of New Jersey and the general public as the Rankokus Indian Reservation.  The Nation's administrative center is located here to manage its community, educational, cultural, social, and other programs and services.  Visit their website to learn more.  (www.powhatan.org/history.html)