Did
You
Know
That ?

• 1986 - In 1899, Evander Schley and David Dumont drew up a subdivision plan of the Dumont Farm and offered lots for sale in what was to become Far Hills village. A unique clause was written into each deed prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages on the premises. The voters and Borough Council rejected a proposal to permit sale of alcoholic beverages in the borough. It remains a dry borough today.
• 1969 - William Annin Middle School in Bernards Twp opened as a junior high school in 1969.

The Lord Stirling 1770s Festival

Sunday, October 12, 2008 - Sunday 10:30am - 4:30pm

The Lord Stirling
1770s Festival

Colonial history lives at the Somerset County Park Commission's annual 1770s Festival when Lord Stirling's grand manor house and estate come to life in Lord Stirling Park in Basking Ridge, NJ. Colonial craftspeople ply their trades and a Revolutionary War military detachment camp on the former estate lawns and conduct maneuvers.

The event promotes historical and environmental education by familiarizing people with the rich local history of Basking Ridge, highlighting an unsung Revolutionary War hero, demonstrating the colonial heritage of New Jersey, and recreating a typical autumn afternoon in 1770.

In 2001, the Lord Stirling 1770s Festival won the New Jersey Recreation and Park Association's Excellence in Educational Programming Award. Nearly 50 people attired in replicas of 1770s clothing participate in the festival demonstrating their trades and crafts (no crafts are sold). These crafts people make articles such as buttons, rifles, brooms, furniture, lace, stained glass, redware pottery, and powder horns. Other trades and crafts include a blacksmith, tinsmith, wool spinning, decoy carving, and colonial herbs.

Children of all ages enjoy the hay rides, clay crafts using Stirling clay, stenciling, and toy making. Visitors may try on colonial costumes and have their photograph taken while restrained to the Somerset Gaoler's wooden stock.
Suggested donation: $4

Click Here for Directions

See photos from past festivals - Click Here