Special Program Manville Library 3/25 1:30 PM
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.
Howe Farmstead work day scheduled for March 25th , 10-3.
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 March 7, 14, 21, 28
Saturday March 11
Admission At Van Veghten House is $5 and includes a tour
March 11 Display Opens : Who were the Guests at our historic Friske?
Saturday, March 25 Manville Public Library Program 1:30
Celebrating Somerset County's Agricultural Heritage, Speaker Kaitlyn Katzer of the County Ag Board. Come and celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the founding of the County Agricultural Board. Lots of handouts and CAKE!
1-3 PM Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War meeting at VVH. Private
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.
Volunteer Opportunity! March 25th (rain date March 26) 10- 3 PM
Ready to tackle the farm? Give us a call or email to register as a volunteer for the Howe Farmstead's spring cleanup. We have landscaping, interior and exterior repairs, and plenty of challenges await. Become a historic preservationist with our team and reach out today!
732-305-0265
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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