Your Source for Local History and Family Research in Somerset County, NJ
Your Source for Local History and Family Research in Somerset County, NJ
Your Source for Local History and Family Research in Somerset County, NJYour Source for Local History and Family Research in Somerset County, NJYour Source for Local History and Family Research in Somerset County, NJOpen Tuesdays 11 AM to 3 PM
Second Saturday noon to 3 PM
and by appointment.
Contact: info@somersethistory.org
You're Invited!
Shall We Dance?
Dance Like George Did (for 3 hours without sitting down) at our Dance of the Decades event Saturday June 6, 2020.
Save the Date!
The Somerset County Historical Society Proudly Presents A Block Party and Fundraiser for all Ages
THE DANCE OF THE DECADES!
When: Saturday, June 6, 2020
4:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Rain Date: June 13, 2020
Where: 9 Van Veghten Drive, Bridgewater, NJ
Music from 1920-2020. Dancing. Food Trucks!
We welcome you to come in costume of your favorite 20th century decade! Whether it's cloche hat and shimmy dress, peplum blouses and uniforms, poodle skirts and bobbysox, mini skirts and platform shoes, or Nehru Jackets and peasant blouses
show us your stuff!
Calendar of Events
Regular Open House Hours
Tuesdays 11 AM to 3 PM
Second Saturday each month, 12 PM to 3 PM
First History Talk Scheduled. Save the Date!
Unraveling History: Quilts in the 18th & 19th Centuries
Saturday, February 8, 2020 Dana Bala, an expert in historic quilts, will present a program on Textiles and Quilts in the 18th and 19th Centuries from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Somerset County Historical Society headquarters in the Van Veghten House, 9 Van Veghten Drive, Bridgewater NJ, 08807.
Ms. Bala will discuss textiles – their cost and production -- from the time of the American Revolution, up to the time of the American Civil War, when quilting became a truly American tradition and format for expression. Her program is hands-on: she will bring quilts, fabrics and clothing so that participants can touch the materials, including clothing of the period. Ms. Bala has been quilting for 15 years. She combines her love of history and fabric by researching historic quilts, patterns, techniques, and the textile industry.
Seating is limited. There is a suggested $5 donation. For reservations, please email number of seats needed and name to info@somersethistorynj.org. NOTE: this program is on Saturday, February 8, not the usual Sunday meeting time. The house is open for tours and research from 11-3 PM that day. Doors for the presentation will open at 1:30 p.m.
This program is made possible by funds from the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey Historical Commission.
Board Meeting Sunday, Jan 19 at 2 pm, weather permitting
Welcome
There's much to see here. So, take your time, look around, and learn all there is to know about us. We hope you enjoy our site and take a moment to drop us a line.
OUR MISSION
Founded in 1882, the Somerset County Historical Society is dedicated to discovering, procuring
and preserving 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
- 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 and Website
- Issue Publications of local interest
- Present authors and speakers
OUR 2019 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Great stuff happened in 2019 here at the Somerset County Historical Society and Van Veghten National Historic Site.
Thank you for your interest and support.
Following is a sampling of how members and friends helped when they donated:
- Participated in the countywide Five Generals Tour, 4-H Fair, Weekend Journey Through the Past, TriCounty History Fair (at Plainfield Public Library), Martinsville Community Fall Festival, and the Manville Community Day.
- Partnered with The Heritage Trail to conduct the third symposium about the 1778-79 Middlebrook Encampment.
- Held 5 public History Talk lectures; hosted 5 walking tours in the Wetlands Mitigation Project on the flood plain of the Raritan River in front of the house; and held our 2nd Annual Hungry for Heritage picnic and Pop Up Museum in August.
- Welcomed family genealogical researchers from as far away as South Carolina and Florida to the Van Horn library.
- Received the second phase of funding from the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of New Jersey to conserve the remaining two 18th century manuscripts and one map which were donated to the Society in 2015.
- Raised matching funds so the Society qualified for an Operating Grant from Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission.
SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals
and fund our mission.
Contact Us
Come and visit us . Finding the house is part of the adventure!
Learn more about historic Somerset County and your family history at our research library and archives.
To send us an email click on the "Email Us" button below. Our email address is info@somersethistorynj.o
Somerset County Historical Society
9 Van Veghten Drive Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807, United States
Hours
Our research library and museum are open to the public at the following times:
Tuesdays: 11 am to 3 pm.
2nd Saturday of each month: 12 pm to 3 pm.
Other hours by appointment.
EMAIL US
Funding for the Somerset County Historical Society is provided, in part,
by the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State, through the State/County History Partnership Program Grant and administered by the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission.
Copyright © 2019
Somerset County Historical Society.
All Rights Reserved.
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