WARREN COUNTY, N.J. — Eighteen historic sites and museums across Warren County will open their doors Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7-8, for the sixth annual Explore Warren History Trail, offering visitors a free opportunity to discover the county’s history as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary.
The two-day event features a self-guided tour of historic landmarks, museums and districts highlighting the people, places and events that helped shape Warren County and the nation.
“As our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, this weekend’s history tour is a wonderful opportunity to explore the people, places, and events that shaped Warren County and our country. I hope residents and visitors will take part, learn something new, and celebrate the history we share,” commented Warren County Commissioner James R. Kern, III.
Each participating site will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on either Saturday or Sunday, allowing visitors to explore one location or several at their own pace.
The event is free, open to all ages and will be held rain or shine. Printed trail maps will be available at each location, and representatives will be on hand to share information about the sites’ histories. Many locations will also feature special tours, demonstrations and festival activities.
The trail highlights Warren County’s history, which dates back well before the county was formally established in 1824.
Early settlements developed in areas such as Greenwich, Oxford Furnace and Pahaquarry. Greenwich, located near the confluence of the Delaware and Musconetcong rivers, became an important gateway for Quaker, German and Scots-Irish settlers traveling westward from Philadelphia.
In Oxford, settlers began arriving in the 1720s, followed by the construction of Oxford Furnace in 1741. The furnace became a center of commerce and industry, contributing to the region’s early population growth.
Farther north along the Delaware River, Abraham Van Campen established a mill in 1732 along Old Mine Road, considered one of the oldest continuously used roads in America.
The county’s agricultural heritage, along with advances in transportation and industry during the 18th and 19th centuries, also played a significant role in its development.
Most of the participating locations are listed on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places, and a majority are also included on the National Register of Historic Places.
Together, the sites represent roughly 170 years of county history, extending through the construction of Rutherfurd Hall in Allamuchy in 1902.
Participating sites for Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., include:
- Millbrook Village, Old Mine Road and Route 602, Hardwick
- Van Campen Homestead, Old Mine Road, Hardwick
- Vass Farmstead, 97 Stillwater Road (County Route 521), Hardwick
- Blairstown Historic District, Main Street, Blairstown
- Johnsonburg Historic District, 210 Main St., Johnsonburg
- Moravian Village of Hope, Route 519, Hope
- Ramsaysburg Homestead, 140 Route 46, Delaware
- Belvidere, 313 Mansfield St., Belvidere
- White Township Museum, 555A County Route 519, Belvidere
- VanNest-Hoff-Vannatta Farmstead, 3026 Belvidere Road (County Route 519), Harmony Township
Participating sites for Sunday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., include:
- Rutherfurd Hall, 1686 Route 517, Allamuchy
- Hackettstown Historical Society Museum, 106 Church St., Hackettstown
- Shippen Manor/Oxford Furnace, 8 Belvidere Ave., Oxford
- Heritage Museum at Meadow Breeze Park, 54 Meadow Breeze Lane, Washington
- Roseberry-Gess House, 540 Warren St., Phillipsburg
- Shimer Mansion, 401 New Brunswick Ave., Phillipsburg
- Bread Lock Park, 2627 Route 57, Stewartsville
- Historic Asbury, 478 Main St., Asbury
The Explore Warren History Trail received an operating support grant from the Warren County Division of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, using funds from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State.
Additional funding was provided through the Warren County Public Information Department’s tourism program, Explore Warren.
Visitors can find detailed descriptions of participating sites, daily schedules, a digital trail map and a short preview video at www.warrenhistorytrail.org.
Additional information about Warren County attractions and tourism opportunities is available at www.explorewarren.org.
