Be our Valentine? Become a member of the Society!
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.
Congratulations to the winners in our 2022 50/50 Raffle!
3ed place to a couple in Mt Laurel; 2nd place to a gentleman in Weehawken; 1st place to a gentleman in South Plainfield! Your Society also benefited from $2120 additional income. THANK YOU
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 Saturday 12-3.
Van Veghten House Open Tuesdays 11 AM - 3 PM and 2nd Saturday 12-3.
Van Veghten House Open Tuesdays 11 AM - 3 PM and 2nd Saturday 12-3.
Tuesdays January 31
February 7, 17, 21. 28
Display: Sentiment Through the Years, Valentines
Admission is $5 and includes a tour of the house
Coming: Feb 11 Celebrate Thomas Paine's Birthday with us.
Feb 19: Five Generals Bus Tour Tickets at Heritage Trail Website.
We are proud to announce that our raffle was a roaring success thanks to all our contributors- We will reopen a new raffle in 2023!
Howe Farmstead
Van Veghten House Open Tuesdays 11 AM - 3 PM and 2nd Saturday 12-3.
Van Veghten House Open Tuesdays 11 AM - 3 PM and 2nd Saturday 12-3.
Latest Developments
Electricity is coming! The trench to bury lines to the house has been dug and conduits laid.
Covid Procedures lifted At Van Veghten
Welcome Back! Come and See Us!
In keeping with the Governor's and the CDC's recommendations, the house is open with no special restrictions. . Masks and hand sanitizer are available for those who wish to use them.
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, as an additional income source established an Amazon Smile account, 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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