Somerset County's
Weekend Journey through the Past

See three great historical sites in and around Historic Basking Ridge, New Jersey!

Saturday & Sunday, October 11-12, 2008

Weekend Journey through the Past.
Visit any of 28 local historic sites for free tours, exhibits and family activities

Check out the new interactive map and tour walkthrough. Click Here

The Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, in conjunction with local historical organizations, has designated the weekend of October 11-12, "Weekend Journey through the Past." Twenty eight of the County's historic sites will be open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday and 12:00 am to 5:00 pm on Sunday.  Many of the sites will offer special exhibits, programs, and tours. Admission and parking at each site are free.

THSSH is sponsoring the Brick Academy located at 15 West Oak Street, Basking Ridge.  The museum will feature Bernards Township history boards, early education displays, artifacts from Lord Stirling’s 18th century plantation, Allen and Stelle family memorabilia, and a salute to local post offices.

Five Tour Stops Right in the Somerset Hills area!

	(Above) Home of the Historical Society of the Somerset Hills

Special events include:

Boudinot House: Weekend Journey activities:

• Historic House open for public view
• Actors portraying historical figures
• Activities celebrating the 225th Anniversary of Boudinot’s Presidency of the Continental Congress
• Artists of all ages and experience are invited to create work on site
• Try your hand at Printmaking, and take your print home
• Fly a kite above the verdant rolling hills, and so much more!

Brick Academy: Weekend Journey Activities:

• Walking Tour of Historic Basking Ridge Village: Saturday, 1 p.m.
  (See Download below)
• Lecture: Sunday, 2:30 p.m. On Sunday, October 12, 2008, The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills will host a special program, “Forging Ahead in the Somerset
  Hills,” at 2:30 p.m. at the Brick Academy, 15 West Oak Street,
  Basking Ridge. Dr. Richard Veit, Associate Professor of Anthropology
  at Monmouth University, will present findings from his study of the
  Leddel/Frost Forge, an 18th century bloomery forge recently uncovered
  in Bernardsville. The forge site is an archaeological treasure,
  containing exceptionally well-preserved wooden remains.
• Special display of Bernards Township History
• Gift Shop

Kennedy Farmstead Weekend Journey Activities:

• Plum Run String Band:  Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.  Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy a free concert of traditional colonial, folk, civil war and country fiddle music 
• Display of artifacts: from the Farmstead and the Lord Stirling Manor Excavations.
• Presentation: Proposed adaptive arts-related uses of the property.
• Children’s art activity: line drawings featuring Farmstead buildings and coloring materials provided for children to create their own Farmstead art.
• Website: http://farmsteadartscenter.org/

Jacobus Vanderveer House Weekend Journey Activities:

• Saturday 3 p.m.:  Hooked Rug demonstrations & talk  by Trish Becker; Also, Antique Quilting demonstration & lecture: Every Quilt Has a Story
  by Trudy Frey
• Sunday 3 p.m.:  Lecture by noted historic furnishings expert Jackie Hayley of CT on the Furnishings Plan for the Jacobus Vanderveer House, including exhibition.
• Website: www.jvanderveerhouse.com

New For 2008 in the Somerset Hills
United States Golf Association Weekend Journey Activities:

• Museum admission FREE for this special weekend event 
• Personal Tours
• Research question and answer sessions
• Museum gift/souvenir shop on premises
• Read all about the history of the USGA Museum...click here
• Website: www.UGSAMuseum.com

A guided Walking Tour through the picturesque village of Basking Ridge.  Sightseers will discover over 250 years of local history.  The earliest structures date back to when the name “Baskenridge” first appeared in the records of the Presbyterian Church in 1733.  Many of the buildings on the tour were initially erected as private residences and are based on traditional “vernacular” architectural forms while others are impressive examples of formal architectural styles.  Highlights of the tour include the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church and “Old Yard” cemetery, the hat shop of Aunt Carrie Cross considered to be the oldest building in the village, the grand manor of Dr. Horatio G. Whitnall who served as the Chief Surgeon of the Union Army and many other sites of historical significance. You can download a copy of the Historic Walking Tour booklet in advance . Click Here to download The Historic Walking Tour of Basking Ridge Booklet in advance.

For further information, please call The Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission at 908-231-7110 or visit the event website at www.schistoryweekend.com.