Farmstead Arts Part of Somerset County's Free 'Journey Through Past'

The will be one of almost two dozen sites open for free public tours during Somerset County’s “Weekend Journey through the Past” this Saturday and Sunday.

The historic mansion that houses the U.S.G.A. golf museum in Bernards and the Jacobus Vanderveer House off Route 202/206 south in Bedminster are among the historic, and scenic, sites countywide that are open free to all ages during Somerset County's 6th annual Weekend Journey Through the Past. All are welcome to the enjoyable journey back in time this weekend, Oct. 8-9.

The schedule of free public events at the Farmstead, located at 650 King George Road in Basking Ridge, includes:

• Continuing ARTsee Artists Exhibit and Sale, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
• Tours of the centuries-old Kennedy-Martin Stelle farmhouse and English-style barn 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
• Second annual Plein Air Event for artists during daylight hours Saturday and Sunday.
• Pumpkin painting demonstration with Bernards Township artist Kristina Lloyd and Colonial games beginning at noon.
• The Trilogy Repertory Company presents “The Abduction of Mary Lewis” in the farmhouse at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The performance previously had been staged as part of the township's 250th anniversary celebration.
• The Plum Run String Band performs acoustic American music from the 18th to 21st centuries from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

The site will also host the second Annual Antiques Alley 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 9, with Bernards Appraisal Associates’ chief appraiser Martine White and gemologist Lynn Tully. Cost is $20 for the first item and $5 for each additional item. Pre-register online.

Candle-dipping, fighting fires in the 19th century and gravestone carving all around Somerset County

Throughout the county, the autumn Journey Through the Past weekend will feature interpreted tours led by costumed docents; special collections and exhibitions; period re-enactments, military drills and encampment; traditional blacksmithing; 19th-century firefighting wagons and apparatus; live demonstrations and lectures on 18th-century living, according to an announcement by the Somerset County Freeholders.

Participants can try their hand at candle-dipping, butter-churning and sachet-making, with samples to take home. A re-enactor is set to discuss the folk art of gravestone carving and the significance of traditional motifs; and live music, art exhibitions, arts and crafts and a theatrical performance.

Other activities for children and adults will include a special exhibit on U.S. Marine hero John Basilone from Raritan Borough; local history videos and a chance to inspect period architecture and access to some of the county's historic sites that are not generally open to the public. 

Many of the sites have significant Revolutionary War histories and have contributed to the area's designation as the "Crossroads of the American Revolution State Heritage Area," according to information from the county. Local historians will be on hand to share their knowledge and stories about Somerset County's contributions to American history.

Participating sites, listed below, will be open on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Admission to all sites is free of charge. 

Participants are invited by the county to enter the "wayfarers’ quiz" to win a $25 pre-paid gasoline gift card. Anyone who visits four or more participating historic sites over Oct. 8 and 9 is eligible for the prize drawing.

Answers to the wayfarers’ quiz will be prominently posted at individual participating sites.  Offered again this year will be a convenient online entry form at www.co.somerset.nj.us/SCHistoryWeekend.

 Printed guides identifying the sites, locations and interesting facts about each will be available at all participating sites during the weekend to guide your journey.  For advance comprehensive details, visit the county's history weekend web page.

2011 Weekend Journey Through The Past participating sites include:

• Codington Farmstead, Warren
• First Reformed Church of Rocky Hill
• Gen. John Frelinghuysen House/Raritan Public Library, Raritan
• 1830 Griggstown School House, Princeton (Franklin)
• Kennedy-Martin-Stelle Farmstead, Basking Ridge (Bernards)
• Mount Bethel Meeting House, Warren
• Old Millstone Forge Blacksmith Shop & Museum, Millstone
• Old Presbyterian Graveyard, Bound Brook
• Relief Hose Co. No. 2/Raritan Firehouse, Raritan
• Daniel Robert Mansion/Somerville Borough Hall, Somerville
• South Branch School House, Branchburg                                                                         
• Abraham Staats House, South Bound Brook                                                            
• Andrew Ten Eyck House, Branchburg
• U.S. Golf Association Museum/Frothingham Mansion, Bernards Township
• Jacobus Vanderveer House, Bedminster                                         
• Van Horne House, Bridgewater
• Van Veghten House, Bridgewater
• Vermeule Mansion, North Plainfield
• Vermeule-Mundy House, Green Brook
• Wallace House, Somerville
• Washington Rock/ Green Brook
• Wyckoff-Garretson House, Somerset (Franklin)

Due to unanticipated hurricane water damage, the Blackwells Mills Canal House and Kirsch-Ford-Terrel House will not be open for this year’s event.

This annual event is an initiative of the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission in collaboration with representatives of many local historical organizations and municipalities, including the Somerset County Board of Freeholders, the Somerset County Business Partnership, artists and arts organizations, and the local tourism industry.

Funding has been made possible, in part, from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, through the State/County Partnership Local Arts Program (Arts in Non-Traditional Venues continuing initiative). 

Related Topics: ARTsee Tour and FARMSTEAD ARTS