The Local Source for The Historian In All of us.
We can help with local research, genealogy, archives, programs and networking.
Open House Hours with special conditions.
Take a stand and join the oldest Historical Organization in the County
With your support of time, talent and treasure you join a dynamic group of history lovers united to celebrate and preserve the fascinating story of life in Somerset County then and now!
Opportunities Coming up
Van Veghten House Open Tuesdays 11 AM - 3 PM and 2nd and 4th Saturdays 12-3.
Van Veghten House Open Tuesdays 11 AM - 3 PM and 2nd and 4th Saturdays 12-3.
Van Veghten House Open Tuesdays 11 AM - 3 PM and 2nd and 4th Saturdays 12-3.
October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Saturdays 14, 28
Admission At Van Veghten House is $5 and includes a tour
Mark your calendar for the County Weekend Journrey Through the Past October 7 and 8. We've got activities inside and outside both days. Watch the SAR fire a 6 pounder cannon on the lawn, learn how to waltz from a ballroom dance teacher in the room where Washington danced for 3 hours without sitting down, satisfy your sweet tooth tasting handmade candies using Colonial recipes.
Saturday, Oct 7 from 10 to 5 PM Open House for Weekend Journey
Sunday, Oct 8 from 12 to 4 PM Open House for Weekend Journey
Saturday, Oct 28 join us at Raritan Valley College from 9 to 3:30 for a symposium called The Revolutionalry War Comes To Middlebrook. For tickets (including lunch) visit Heritage Trail website.
Tuesday, Oct 31 we mark the 50th Anniversary of receving the deed to the Van Veghten House.
Coming in November: Front Line Arts display, Annual meeting and raffle drawing
OUR BOOK TABLE NEEDS RESTOCKING. Donate unwanted historically oriented books. Get a tax donation for your contribution too. Drop off any day we're open for review. THANK YOU!
New T-Shirts design available! Check out the samples at the store at Van Velghten House. Only $20
Howe Farmstead
Van Veghten House Open Tuesdays 11 AM - 3 PM and 2nd and 4th Saturdays 12-3.
Van Veghten House Open Tuesdays 11 AM - 3 PM and 2nd and 4th Saturdays 12-3.
Our thanks to the Mailboxes B C in Nelson's Corner Shopping Center for hosting a display on our preservation work at the Howe Farmstead.
The Society's fall Newsletter features news about our preservation work. The newsletter is one of benefits of becoming a member of the Society.
If you're ready to tackle the farm, give us a call or email to register as a volunteer for the Howe Farmstead's cleanup. We have landscaping, interior and exterior repairs, and plenty of challenges ahead. Become a historic preservationist with our team and reach out today!
732-305-0265
OUR MISSION
Founded in 1882, the Somerset County Historical Society is dedicated to finding, saving and sharing the history of Somerset County, New Jersey
We accomplish this in a variety of ways including:
- Foster a growing local community of history lovers of all ages
- Maintain and preserve the Van Veghten House, a National and State Historic Site
- With the County Cultural and Heritage Commission restore and put to creative reuse the Van Doren-Howe Farmstead in Franklin Township
- Collect and maintain an Archives of manuscripts, photographs and ephemera related to Somerset County History
- Collect and maintain a Library of State & Local History Books and Genealogical Resources
- Conduct and assist public with genealogical and local history research
- Maintain Museum of early hand tools and Native American stone tools
- Communicate through Quarterly Electronic Newsletter, Facebook , video vignettes, and a Website
- Issue Publications and video's of local interest
- Present authors and speakers
OUR 2022 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Your Society was been busy in 2022 with emphasis on maintenance, 2026 preparedness and improving financials. Here are some highlights:
created a Funding Plan, conducted a 50/50 raffle which brought in over $2100, began charging admission at Van Veghten House (VVH), to increase visitation began setting up periodic displays at VVH, to address Americans with Disabilities needs began a script to create a video tour of VVH, added new membership categories for students and businesses, adopted a Land Acknowledgment recognizing that our property was originally the homeland of the Indigenous People known as the Lenape, welcomed a member's donation of new installed flooring at the VVH entrance, hosted a video interview with a local author, replaced the headquarters building's boiler, trimmed dangerous branches from trees at VVH, and established an Ethics Committee. All this was in addition to holding four informative talks at local libraries!
On our preservation project, we officially corrected the first owners' names from Van Doren to Covert, filed for and received a more than $233,000 grant for stabilization of the Covert-Howe Farmstead house; conducted a ground penetrating radar survey of the yard behind the farm house, and continued negotiations with PSE & G and the township to reinstall power to the site. None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the active support of our membership . Thank You
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Somerset County Historical Society.
All Rights Reserved.
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