Bridgewater Marriott
700 Commons Way
Bridgewater, NJ
(908) 927-9300
Montgomery Center for the Arts
124 Montgomery Rd. Montgomery, NJ
(609) 921-3272
1860 House: This late Greek
revival style home was once part
of the 500- acre farm of the
Van der Veer
family. Constructed circa 1860, it contains
a mahogany-paneled library which was
added to the house in the 1930’s by the
Ballantine family of Newark.
The house serves as the Montgomery
Cultural Center, which offers cultural arts
and environmental programs.
Open
Tuesday-Friday, 10:00AM-3:00PM, and
Sunday 1:00-4:00PM.
Closed Monday.
Bridges:
Bedens Brook Road Bridge,
Montgomery
A single-arch, 20 foot-long rubble
stone structure
built across a tributary of Bedens Brook.
Its stonework, arch, parapets and wing
walls are still intact. Thought to
have been constructed in the late 19th century.
Mill Pond Road, Montgomery
Located within the picturesque Bridgeport
Historic District, this three-arch,
random-rubble stone bridge was
constructed in the 1820’s.
It was repaired and restored by
Somerset County in
2000.
Opossum Road Bridge, Montgomery
The county’s second oldest bridge
is a
double-arched, random rubble stone
bridge that retains its original stonework, arches,
parapets and approaches. It is 54 feet
long and rises to a camelback shape
at its
center, which is 18 feet above the brook bed.
Head East to Bridgewater and witness the famous:
Van Horne House
941 E. Main Street, Bridgewater
(732) 756-7810
The Van Horne House dates back to mid-
18th century. It was extensively remodeled
in the middle decades of the 19th and
20th
century. The 1930’s and
1940’s
remodeling was in the Colonial Revival
style
and is especially significant.
Built originally by Phillip Van Horne,
a Bridgewater
merchant, this home was the
site of numerous events that took
place during
the Revolutionary War including a
portion of the fighting during the
Battle of Bound
Brook. It was used at various
times by General Lincoln, Stirling,
Lee and
Cornwallis. It is also the home of
the
U.S. Bicycle Hall of Fame.
Open Saturday 10:00AM-12:00PM and Sunday
12:00-2:00PM.
Van Veghten House
9 Van Veghten Road
Bridgewater
(908)218-1281
Headquarters to Quartermaster Gen.
Nathanial Green during the winter
of
1778-79 this historical home was
built in
the 1700’s. It is now a library
of New
Jersey and Somerset County operated
by the Somerset County Historical Society.
Appointments are required.
Washington Campground
Middlebrook Encampment
Middlebrook Rd.
Bridgewater
(732)563-0063
This is the site of two encampments
of major
portions of Washington’s Continental
Army, early summer of 1777 and the winter of 1778-79. The first
official 13-star flag was flown over Washington’s troops here.
Somerset County Courthouse
and Church
East Main Street
Somerville
(908) 231-7110
Somerset County Court House,
constructed in 1909 and refurbished
in 1996,
is a fine example of beaux-arts
classicism. It was designed by the
firm of
Gordon, Tracy and Swartwout.
James Riley Gordon was one of America’s
foremost courthouse
architects who also designed the
Arizona Capitol.
Wallace House and Dutch
Parsonage
71 Somerset Street
Somerville
(908) 725-1015
This Dutchframed
Georgian dwelling was constructed
in 1776. It served as General Washington’s
headquarters from
December 1778 to June 1779 when
the continental Army was stationed at Camp Middlebrook.
Open Wednesday-Saturday,
10:00AM-Noon & 1:00PM-4:00PM
Sunday 1:00PM-4:00PM.
Reservations required
2 weeks in advance for groups of 10 or more people.
Somerville Fire Museum
15 North Doughty Street
Somerville
(908)526-7098
This museum showcases antique fire fighting equipment and numerous
pictures and citations showing the evolution of the Somerville Fire Department.
Open Saturday 10:00AM-Noonor by appointment.
Dinner at the
Bridgewater Marriott
T-Bones Steakhouse
(908) 927-9300
or at the
Chimney Rock Inn
Bound Brook, NJ
(732) 469-4600
Start your day with a short drive from your hotel to I-78 West (Exit 26) to classical
Bedminster Township for a little heritage history on the region.
Clarence Dillon Public Library
2336 Lamington Road
Bedminster
(908) 234-2325
Check out monthly exhibits, and the Anne O’ Brien Historic
Room featuring books and maps.
Monday-Thursday 10:00AM-
9:00PM
Friday & Saturday 10:00AM-
5:00PM.
Jacobus Van der Veer House
U.S. Highway Route 202/206
Bedminster
The Jacobus Van der Veer House is the last surviving building associated
with the Van der Veers, a family prominent in Bedmister Twp.
History from its earliest settlement through the 19th century. According to tradition, it served as
headquarters for General Henry Knox during the winter of 1778-79,
when the American History artillery was in the village of Pluckemin
during the Second Middlebrook Encampment. It is an excellent example
of a Dutch-American house. The interior contains massive exposed
beams as well as Federal, Greek Revival and Victorian woodwork.
The house is owned by Bedminster Twp. and was recently restored.
Leonard J. Buck Garden
11 Layton Road
County Route 512
Far Hills
(908) 234-2677
The Leonard J. Buck Garden features native and exotic plants displayed
in a naturalistic garden setting. A wooded, rocky ravine is home to
numerous wildflowers interspersed among flowering trees and shrubs. Whether you
come for a quiet walk in a place of great natural beauty or to study the
many unusual plants, a visit to the garden is always an enriching experience.
Head up I-287 North (Exit 22) to the beautiful scenic Bernards Township.
Frothingham/Sloan House
Liberty Corner Rd.
Bernards
(908) 234-2300
This Georgian Revival mansion, constructed in 1919, was built for Thomas
Frothingham and later sold to John Sloan, a prominent furniture retailer.
It was designed by John Russell Pope, a leading designer of country houses
for wealthy patrons early in the 20th century. He was later known for
his monumental architecture in Washington, D.C. including the Jefferson
Memorial. The mansion now houses the U.S. Golf Association Museum.
Open Monday-Friday 9:00AM-5:00PM
Saturday & Sunday 10:00AM-4:00PM.
Take a break from the indoors and get outside to the:
N.J. Audubon Society
Scherman-Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary
11 Hardscrabble Rd
Bernardsville
(908) 766-5787
Situated in the New Jersey Highlands, this 265-acre sanctuary encompasses
upland deciduous forest, fields, woodlands and floodplain along the
headwater of the Passaic River. Nature trails, tours, programs, nature store are all available.
Tuesday-Saturday 9:00AM-5:00PM
Sunday 12:00PM-5:00PM
Morristown National Historical Park
New Jersey Brigade
Hardscrabble and Jockey Hollow Road
Bernardsville
(973) 539-2016
The New Jersey Brigade of 1,300 men camped a few miles south of General
Washington’s main army camped at Jockey Hollow during the “hard
winter” of
1779-1780. Washington selected this area because of its strategic location
in the Watchung Mountains and was heavily wooded from so shelters could
be constructed. Archaeological investigation in 1968 revealed a road leading
to Morristown from the encampment. The location of numerous officer’s
and enlisted men’s huts were discovered also. It became part
of the Morristown National Historical Park in 1969 as a result of a donation to the
Audubon Society of New Jersey.
Drive south down to Somerset Twp. I-287 South to Exit 10 for more historic
homes and land viewings.
Blackwells Mills Canal House
598 Canal Road
Somerset
(732) 873-2133
This historic home was built around 1835 as one of the many dwellings erected
for the men and women who operated the swinging bridges. Local canal
buffs formed the Blackwells Mills Canal House Association to restore it as
a community center, museum, and library. Today, the house serves craft and
antique shows, open house tours, and much much more, located along the
Delaware& Raritan Canal.
Hageman Farm
205 S. Middlebush Road
Somerset
(732) 873-8718
The original section of the farm house may have been built circa 1810
with a large Victorian Italianate addition in 1865. The site also includes
a 19th century carriage house. The barns are being restored for use as a community art and program center.
Van Liew-Suydam House
280 South Middlebush Rd
Somerset
(732) 873-3417
Located on a picturesque hilltop, the house was constructed in 1875 by
Peter Suydam. It is a fine example of a Victorian-Italianate agricultural dwelling
to the eastern seaboard in the mid 19th century and is currently being
restored as a community center.
These three historic sites are open the second Sunday of each month from
1:00PM-3:00PM.
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