Members of the state Department of Environmental Protection cut the ribbon on restoration of the Dr. James Still historic office.
Dr. James Still was referred to as the “Black Doctor of the Pines.”
He was a self-taught physician who diagnosed and treated patients at his office in Medford, where he developed and dispensed herbal and holistic remedies. The completion of a nearly $1.75 million, multi-year stabilization and restoration project will let visitors experience Still’s office much as it appeared in 1855.
“The restoration of the Dr. James Still Office Historic Site reflects our commitment to preserving New Jersey’s diverse history while making it accessible to all,” said John Cecil, assistant commissioner for State Parks, Forests and Historic Sites.
Work began in 2019 to stabilize the structure and restore the historic office to reflect its original design. Those activities included:
- Removal of non-original additions and materials
- Repointing and raking of the foundation brickwork
- Replacement of siding with original materials
- Painting the building in its historic color
- Restoration of windows and doors, and repairs to eaves and soffits
- Replacement of asphalt shingles with period-appropriate cedar
- Reconstruction of the office’s front porch to reflect the original 1855 design
- Restoration of the original flooring, repainting plaster walls, and reinforcing structural floor joists
- Electrical upgrades, including LED track lighting for future interpretive displays.
Other improvements to the historic site include accessible parking and an accessibility ramp leading to the office’s entrance. Along the ramp are herbal plantings representative of those Still used for his practice that were donated by the Dr. James Still Historic Office Site Association.
The New Jersey Department of State and Department of Environmental Protection held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the restoration and also unveiled a New Jersey Black Heritage Trail marker at the office site on Sept. 29.
State, county and local officials joined in on the ceremony, including EPA Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette said Mayor Erik Rebstock.
“Dr. James Still’s life story of perseverance, and his unwavering determination to help others, serves as an inspiration for us all,” LaTourette said.
The area is the state park service’s first African American historic site.
“The New Jersey Black Heritage Trail shares the stories of New Jersey’s African American communities dating back more than 300 years,” noted Lt. Governor Tahesha Way, who oversees the New Jersey Historical Commission in her role as secretary of state.
“Given the trail’s commitment to uplifting Black resiliency and joy,” she added, “it is only fitting to have a marker on this trail discussing the life and legacy of Dr. James Still.”
“Members of the Dr. James Still Historic Office Site Association are delighted to achieve this milestone accomplishment in our overall mission of honoring Dr. James Still’s life and legacy,” said Carol Marshall-Douglas, president of the site association and Still’s third great-grandniece.
“In the words of Dr. James Still, ‘… In all our dealings, let truth be our guiding star,'” she continued. “Dr. James Still’s legacy continues to be our guiding star as we strive to ensure that (his) enduring story continues to uplift and empower future generations.”
DEP purchased the site in 2006 with Green Acres funds. Since then, additional adjacent parcels of land have been acquired by the DEP State Park Service, bringing the site’s total size to 22 acres.
New Jersey Black Heritage Trail
The New Jersey Black Heritage Trail was established through legislation Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law on Sept. 7, 2022, to highlight Black heritage sites through historical markers and a trail-like path that connects the stories of Black life and resiliency. The New Jersey Historical Commission leads the effort and works in cooperation with other state agencies, such as the Historic Preservation Office, the Division of Travel and Tourism, and the New Jersey Black Heritage Foundation, as well as local governments, owners or operators of Black heritage sites to identify sites for the trail.
Since 2022, 61 nominated sites have been proposed for the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail. For a list of official New Jersey Black Heritage Trail sites visit nj.gov/state/historical/his-black-heritage-trail-all-approved-sites.shtml.
About Dr. James Still
One of 18 children, James Still was born in 1812 in Burlington County, to Levin and Charity Still (originally Levin Steel and his wife Sidney), formerly enslaved African Americans from Maryland.
For much of his early life, Dr. Still worked as a laborer, chopping wood, making charcoal, picking berries and clearing land. At 31, he purchased a still and began distilling roots and herbs. His medical career began almost by chance when he agreed to treat a sick man in exchange for sassafras following Dr. Still’s purchase of two books on medical botany on a trip to Philadelphia. Over time, he found himself increasingly engaged in the healing of the sick. Around 1845, he gave up distilling entirely to focus on medicine.
His practice thrived, and in 1855 Dr. Still built his first home and medical office. Born into poverty and largely self-educated, having only three months of formal schooling, he went on to become one of the wealthiest men in Burlington County. Dr. Still was also the brother of William Still, a well-known conductor on the Underground Railroad who was responsible for helping bring at least 649 enslaved people to freedom.
For more information about the Dr. James Still Office Historic Site, visit nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/historic/drjamesstill.html
Plans for interpretive exhibits
Plans are underway to add interpretive exhibits inside the restored building to educate visitors about Dr. Still’s legacy. In 2024, the New Jersey Historical Commission awarded $20,000 to the Dr. James Still Historic Office Site Association to produce an interpretive plan for the historic site. The interpretive plan will illuminate the many stories of Dr. James Still’s life and will serve as the foundation for developing the site’s docent manual, ensuring consistency among guided tours.
On any given first and third Sunday of each month Marshall-Douglass, Samuel C. Still III, second great grandnephew of Still, and others are on site welcoming visitors to freely tour the Dr. James Still Historic education and visitor center from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tours will now include Still’s office.
“Our volunteers are very passionate about the life and the legacy of Dr. James Still,” Samuel Still says on the association’s website. “Dr. Still was a very unique individual who endured many barriers in life, including poverty and prejudice. He persevered to overcome many obstacles and became a physician, an entrepreneur, and an author. The real estate he acquired during his life made him the third largest landowner in the county of Burlington County, New Jersey during the nineteenth century.”
For more information visit drjamesstillcenter.org.
