County to Celebrate History With Weekend of Events

Sometimes there's just not enough days in the week, but every Wednesday we'll give you an idea of something to do to relax, spend time with family and just take some time for yourself.

And this weekend, we are encouraging you to take your spot in history throughout the county, participating in Somerset County’s Weekend Journey Through the Past—including a visit to the Codington Farmstead in Warren.

The event, to be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., is an annual program being done through the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission to teach about the historical tourist attractions throughout the county, including the Van Horne House on East Main Street in Bridgewater.

Cynthia Crothers, a Somerville resident who works with the Middlebrook Theatrical Society, said she will be part of the group promoting the history at the Van Horne House.

“We will be inhabiting the Van Horne House,” she said. “When you come in, we are going to have everyone learn how to do the Virginia Reel, and you will learn how to sign a militia form.”

Crothers said there will be projects and more to do, as well as a tavern with apple cider and other refreshments.

“We know there are many county-wide historical places open, and we want the Van Horne House to be on everyone’s list,” she said. “We are making it fun for the two days.”

A total of 27 historical sites will be featured throughout the weekend, all free of charge, and will include tours and activities at each stop. There will be interpreted tours led by costumed docents, special exhibitions, period military drills, living history re-enactors, colonial tavern life, traditional blacksmithing, 19th century apparatus and more.

In addition, the weekend will include an antiques sale, arts and crafts, a U.S. Golf Association exhibition, live period music performances, colonial dance instruction, theatrical performances, local history videos and so much more.

Among the participating sites are Boudinot-Southard-Ross House, in Basking Ridge; The Brick Academy, in Basking Ridge; Gen. John Frelinghuysen House, in Raritan; Griggstown Schoolhouse, in Princeton; Kirch-Ford-Terrell House, in Warren; Mount Bethel Meeting House, in Warren; Van Veghten House, in Bridgewater; USGA/United State Golf Association Museum, in Far Hills; and the Jacobus Vanderveer House, in Bedminster, among many others, including four new sites.

For more information on the program, click here.