Time: 10:00 am
Tour the most prominent historic properties in Somerset County.
Visit 3 properties right here in the Somerset Hills
Somerset County’s
Weekend Journey Through the Past
Features 3 Free Historic Sites in the Somerset Hills
Tours & Activities
Saturday, October 12, 2019 – 10 am. to 5 pm
and
Sunday, October 13, 2019 – 12pm to 4 pm
Somerset County’s Premiere Historic Event
Want something fun to do with friends or family? Why not explore some of the most historic properities across Somerset County for FREE! Yes, 29 local historic minded organizations are participating this year and three historical properties are located right here in the Somerset Hills! These properties are the jewel of the Somerset Hills. This year, you get to experience the Brick Academy, the Boudinot Southard Ross House, as well as the United States Golf Association.
Free admission and activities are all FREE for this great historic weekend.
Weekend Journey through the Past is intended to encourage a multi-generational outing for parents, children and grandparents. Share stories and experiences about “the old days” with your children and grandchildren as you enjoy traveling from one historic site to the next.
Videos – View the introduction and catch a glimpse of the Somerset Hills participants.
Brick Academy
USGA Museum
The Ross Farm
The Brick Academy /
The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills
15 West Oak Street, Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township
The Brick Academy: Built in 1809, the Brick Academy, a “classical school,” had a reputation for training graduates who achieved national recognition in their fields. Prominent families from Virginia, and Maryland, and New York enrolled their sons in this prestigious school. Important leaders in our country such as Theodore Frelinghuysen, Samuel Lewis Southard, William L. Dayton, and Robert Field Stockton received a classical school education. These prominent men preceded hundreds of students who attended class at the Brick Academy, students whose names represent the earliest families in the Somerset Hills. New Jersey legislature to organize a public school system was enacted about the year 1824. Beginning in 1853, and for 50 years thereafter, the Brick Academy provided a public education to young residents of both sexes in Bernards Township.
Visit the Brick Academy, located at 15 W. Oak St, Basking Ridge
Website – www.somersethillshistoricalsociety.org
Boudinot –Southard- Ross House/ Known as “The Ross Farm”
135 North Maple Avenue, Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township
Boudinot Southard Ross House: Do you like Art, Music, Theater or History? Then you’ll enjoy a visit to the Boudinot-Southard-Ross Property, also known as The Ross Farm. This beautiful 50-acre property is located at 135 North Maple Avenue in Basking Ridge. The site was home to several prominent figures that played a critical role in the founding and early years of our Country. Elias Boudinot, President of the Continental Congress, purchased the home in 1771. He sold the house to Henry Southard in 1785, who did his part by serving in the House of Representatives for New Jersey from 1801-1821. His son Samuel, who attended the Brick Academy, later became the Governor, a Senator, and Secretary of the Navy.
Do you like Art, Music, Theater or History? Then you’ll enjoy a visit to the Boudinot-Southard-Ross Property, also known as The Ross Farm. This beautiful 50-acre property is located at 135 North Maple Avenue in Basking Ridge. The site was home to several prominent figures that played a critical role in the founding and early years of our Country. Elias Boudinot, President of the Continental Congress, purchased the home in 1771. He sold the house to Henry Southard in 1785, who did his part by serving in the House of Representatives for New Jersey from 1801-1821. His son Samuel, who attended the Brick Academy, later became the Governor, a Senator, and Secretary of the Navy.
Featured activities throughout the weekend include: actors in costumes portraying historical figures; harpsichord demonstrations; displays from Boxwood Hall (the State Museum dedicated to Elias Boudinot); a “Paint Out!” where artists of all media are welcome to create works on site; a traveling exhibition from the USGA Golf Museum entitled “Snoopy On the Links”; scavenger hunts; Boudinot garden tours, face painting, and kite flying. (Some kites are provided but feel free to bring your own). Food and drinks are also available. The Boudinot play will be performed four times on Saturday, Oct 14 at 11am, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm. No Sunday performance.
Website – www.rossfarm.org
United States Golf Association / Known as the USGA Museum
77 Liberty Corner Road, Bernards Twp, NJ 07931
United States Golf Association: Originally built in 1919, the USGA Museum, located at 77 Liberty Corner Road in Far Hills, served as a private residence until 1972.
The USGA Golf Museum will be offering a variety of activities which include a Museum scavenger hunt, a presentation on the historic Pope Mansion now home to the world’s premier collection of golf artifacts and memorabilia, tours of the USGA Equipment Standards Lab highlighting the science behind the game, a historical putting experience with replica vintage equipment and costumes. In addition, the USGA Golf Museum will again be sharing the Charles Schultz exhibit “Snoopy On the Links” with the Boudinot-Southard-Ross Property for this special Weekend Journey event you won’t want to miss!
Activities will be offered only on Saturday, but free admission to the museum will be offered on Sunday.
Website: www.UGSAMuseum.com
2017 Participating Historic Sites across Somerset County:
- Brick Academy Museum and 1890’s School, Basking Ridge
- Boudinot Southard Ross Estate, Basking Ridge
- USGA Museum and Arnold Palmer Ctr. For Golf History, Far Hills
- Blawenburg Reformed Church, Blawenburg (Montgomery)
- Brook Arts Center/Brook Theater, Bound Brook
- Codington Farmstead, Warren Twp.
- Gen. John Frelinghuysen House/ Raritan Public Library, Raritan
- Amy Garret House, Rocky Hill
- Griggstown Bridgetender’s House, Princeton
- Griggstown School House, Princeton Township
- Historic 1860 Schoolhouse/ Millstone Borough Hall, Millstone
- Kirch-Ford- Terrill House, Warren Twp.
- Mount Bethel Meeting House, Warren Twp.
- Old Millstone Forge Blacksmith Shop & Museum, Millstone
- Old Presbyterian Graveyard, Bound Brook
- The Presbyterian Church at Bound Book, Bound Brook
- Relief Hose Company # No. 2 Engine House, Raritan
- Daniel Robert Mansion, Somerville Borough Hall, Somerville
- Somerville Exempt Fire Museum, Somerville
- South Branch School House, Branchburg
- Abraham Staats House, So. Bound Brook
- Andrew Ten Eyck House, Branchburg
- Texier House Museum, Watchung
- The Phillip Van Horne House, Bridgewater
- Van Liew-Suydam House, Franklin Township
- Van Veghten House, Bridgewater
- Dr. John Vermeule House, Green Brook
- Wallace House State Historic Site, Somerville
- Washington Rock, Green Brook.
For further information, please call The Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission at 908-231-7110 or visit the event website www.schistoryweekend.com.
