SOMERVILLE, NJ - Explore over 30 historic sites in Somerset County this weekend during the 21st annual Journey Through the Past.
The free living history event is hosted by the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission and is open to the public, a fun and educational opportunity to learn how previous generations lived and worked in Somerset County.
Highlights include the Wallace House in Somerville, where Gen. George Washington established his headquarters with the Continental Army in 1779; the 19th-century Daniel Robert Mansion which now serves as Somerville’s Borough Hall and the Somerville Exempt Firemens' Museum, a former 19th-century firehouse loaded with vintage fire fighting apparatus and memorabilia.
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The annual program brings history to life by allowing visitors to interact with historical re-enactors and visit historic sites that represent different time periods. Journey Through the Past can provide firsthand insight into the significance of events that occurred in Central New Jersey as far back as the Revolutionary War.
The historic sites open to the public on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 12, 12-4 p.m.
Participating Historic Sites:
Each historic site will feature different family-friendly activities that visitors of all ages can enjoy including historical reenactments, colonial artisan demonstrations, period music, and much more. To create a more immersive experience, trained history docents will be at certain sites to provide tours, give demonstrations, answer questions, and share valuable insights about local history.
For more information, contact the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission office at (908) 231-7021 or [email protected].
The Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission encourages visitors to share photos of their journey by tagging @SomersetCountyNJ on Instagram and Facebook. Photos tagged @SomersetCountyNJ may be shared on the County’s social media platforms.
About Journey Through the Past
Somerset County’s annual Journey Through the Past is an initiative of the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners and the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, in collaboration with many countywide local historical organizations, commissions, and other county organizations.
It is made possible in part by funds from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, the New Jersey Historical Commission, and the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.
Each historic site participating in Journey Through the Past offers unique activities, such as historic house tours, living history events, colonial artisans, period music, and so much more! Learn more about each site's activities and start planning your Journey!
The Journey Through the Past Virtual Map is an easy-to-use map that utilizes Google Maps to provide you with directions to each site.
During Journey Through the Past, each site has Somerset County commemorative history trading cards to pass out! Try to collect them all!