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
- 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 2021 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Despite the Pandemic Shutdown, great stuff happened at the Somerset County Historical Society, the Van Veghten National Historic Site and the Van Doren-Howe Farmstead Project in 2021. Thank you for your interest and support. Following is a sampling of how members and friends helped when they donated:
- Participated in the countywide Weekend Journey Through the Past featuring a photographic display about the D&R Canal.
- Partnered with Somerset County to restore and preserve a historically significant Farmstead in the region
- Participated in a Summertime Open House to reopen the Van Veghten House and introduce our newly installed (and thriving )Native Plant Garden on-site
- Introduced Walkabout Tour Literature (a guided tour of the grounds around the Van Veghten House)
- Installed new display cabinets and reorganized museum store
- Reinstituted public programming with a November Salute to Veterans gathering at Manville Library
