Guide Me Home to North Jersey

Discover a bit of Somerset County history during the “Journey Through the Past” weekend to be held Oct. 10th-11th. The Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission coordinated the free two-day event which includes 27 of the county’s most significant historical sites.

The Northern Somerset County tour travels through the Watchung Mountains. Don’t miss the Jacobus Vanderveer House, located on route 202/206 in Bedminster Township. The house was originally built in 1743 in a Dutch frame house style, typical to the area at the time and later enlarged in the Federal style. In 1995, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Nearby is the Pluckemin Artillery Park, America’s first artillery and training camp and site of the Continental Army overseen by General Henry Knox during 1778. An archaeological dig of the area unearthed 190,000 artifacts which will be displayed on a rotation basis in the museum. Weekend activities will include an open house, live demonstrations, re-enactments and lectures. For more information, follow the above links to their websites.

The Central tour follows Old York Road, one of Somerset County’s oldest roads. Of the 12 stops along this route, my favorite is the Somerset County Historical Court House.. The architectural details are in the Beaux-Arts Classicism style, popular at the turn of the century. The court house was made famous by Theodore Roosevelt campaigning here in 1904 and the widely covered Hall-Mills murder trial in 1927.

The Southern tour follows the Millstone River and the D&R canal. The tow path along the canal offers a picturesque opportunity for a leisurely stroll. Make sure to stop at the Old Millstone Forge, Blacksmith Shop and Museum where demonstrations of early blacksmith techniques and a lecture on the history of Early American Forges will be available.

Posted by: Nadine Gelinas-Coffey