Explore more than 370 years of Union County history in two days.
Union County’s “Four Centuries in a Weekend: A Journey Through Time” countywide history event is back this year on Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16 from noon to 5:00 p.m. each day. Each day is packed with special exhibits and activities at more than 30 house museums and historic sites in Union County, all open to the public free of charge.
The annual event is sponsored by the Union County Board of County Commissioners and coordinated by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, in collaboration with staff and volunteers at the sites.
“Every year brings new insights that enrich our knowledge of the past, that inform our experience of the present, and that enable us to see more clearly into the future of our community,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca L. Williams. “We encourage everyone to come and enjoy the activities and exhibits, and walk in the footsteps of those who lived here through the centuries.”
Visitors will be able to stop by a beautifully restored mansion and church, Revolutionary War burial grounds, the county’s oldest railroad station, quaint house museums, special exhibitions, and more.
Each site will provide visitors with a free Union County Passport to stamp. Visitors can also pick up free Union County History trading cards at many of the sites.
For more details, including updates and late-breaking schedule changes, visit ucnj.org/4c or contact the individual site.
The featured sites with activities this year include:
Berkeley Heights — Deserted Village of Feltville / Glenside Park
1 Cataract Hollow Rd., Berkeley Heights
908-527-4900
• Apple cider pressing
• Hayrides
• Walking tour led by an archaeologist (departs 2:00 pm from Masker’s Barn on Sat. and Sun.); learn about excavations that revealed the social history of certain significant periods here, through examination of physical evidence
• Activities for children: old-fashioned children’s games; quill and ink pen writing
• Campfire with marshmallow toasting
• Learn about this village’s history in multiple ways: interpretive panels, audio tour, museum displays, booklet for a self-guided tour, or an armchair tour presented by “David Felt”
• Meet costumed characters from Feltville history, including Revolutionary War soldier John Willcocks, and David Felt, who owned and developed the mill town here
• View recently completed restoration work on House #7
Most buildings and activities in the village are wheelchair-accessible via visitors’ own vehicle or golf cart, provided on site. Historic buildings and activities are spread out over a large area.
Parking available in three areas on site. Attendants will direct you as you turn onto Cataract Hollow Rd. Inform attendant of accommodations needed for people with disabilities.
Clark — Dr. William Robinson Plantation Museum
593 Madison Hill Rd., Clark
732-340-1571
Saturday: open 11 am–4 pm and 8–10 pm *
Sunday: open 11 am – 3 pm
• Tours this 3-floor museum, a circa-1690 building
• Interactive displays outdoors and indoors
• Functioning 1919 Model T on display
• Living History program about World War II armed forces, from multiple sides and theaters of the war; learn about civilian efforts that supported troops, including a USO show. Displays include uniforms, weapons, and a signal corps tent with working equipment (Saturday evening tour: Experience the World War II encampment at night).
• Gift shop
• Herb garden featuring plants considered medicinal
1st floor of building is wheelchair-accessible. Video shown on 1st floor is a virtual tour of basement and attic levels.
Street parking available.
Cranford — Crane-Phillips House Museum
124 North Union Ave., Cranford
908-276-0082
www.cranfordhistoricalsociety.org
• Tour this Civil War-era cottage home
• “Celebrating Cranford’s Finest” exhibit commemorates the 125th anniversary of Cranford Police Dept. and the 135th anniversary of the Fire Dept. — with displays of all police officers and chiefs since 1870, beginning with Joshua Bryant; and displays about the Fire Dept. through the years. Police officers and firefighters will greet visitors.
Museum building is wheelchair-accessible, except the 2nd floor, which can be seen by a video shown on the 1st floor.
Park in the Police Dept. lot (behind museum) or the nearby municipal lot.
Cranford — William Miller Sperry Observatory
Union College, 1033 Springfield Ave., Cranford
908-709-7000
• Tours of Sperry Observatory will be led by members of Amateur Astronomy Inc., followed by Q&A sessions — two of the largest telescopes in the eastern United States are located here
• Observatory domes will be open, weather permitting, however telescopes are not used during daylight
• Pick up astronomy and science-related books, magazines and posters — gently used and donated for this event
Observatory classroom is wheelchair-accessible.
Sperry Observatory is located towards the back of the Union College campus, between Springfield Ave. and Gallows Hill Rd. Ample parking is available in the large lots on the college campus, including spaces near the Observatory.
Elizabeth — Boxwood Hall State Historic Site
1073 E. Jersey St., Elizabeth
908-282-7617
• Guided tours of this 18th-century residence describe the events and people connected with this site, including George Washington — who dined here on the day he was inaugurated as our first President
• Exhibit about local history
First floor is wheelchair-accessible via the back entrance.
Parking lot behind building (via driveway between Boxwood Hall and Efficiency Inn).
Elizabeth — Elizabeth Public Library
11 S Broad St., Elizabeth
908-354-6060
Open Saturday only
Closed Sunday
• Historic Elizabethtown Scavenger Hunt hosted by the Library’s Local History & Special Collections Dept. — pick up the Scavenger Hunt map/brochure on site; for more information, contact the Dept. at 908-354-6060 x7220, or email afernandez@elizpl.org
• Navesink String Quartet performance at 2 pm (indoors)
Library building and restrooms are fully ADA-compliant. For the Scavenger Hunt, see the brochure to contact sites before visiting to inquire about accessibility.
Free parking on site while using the Library only. For the Scavenger Hunt, use either Bollwage Parking Garage at 37 Caldwell Place or Jefferson Ave. Parking Garage at 28-56 Jefferson Ave. (at corner of Dickinson).
Elizabeth — Nathaniel Bonnell Homestead & Belcher-Ogden Mansion
1046 East Jersey St., Elizabeth
908-581-7555
• Exterior tour about “the corner that history made”
• Picnic tables available for litter-free carry-in lunch in Belcher-Ogden back yard
Building is wheelchair accessible.
Parking lot on site.
Elizabeth — Siloam Hope First Presbyterian Church & Snyder Academy
42 Broad St., Elizabeth
908-353-2131
• Guided tours of First Presbyterian Church, the oldest English-speaking congregation in New Jersey (currently Siloam Hope First Presbyterian Church) and Snyder Academy, where Alexander Hamilton once attended school
• Self-guided tour of the restored Revolutionary-era cemetery and burial grounds, where 313+ free and enslaved African people are buried in unmarked graves
• History presentation
• Children’s games from the Revolutionary War period
• Arts and crafts for children and adults
• Historical museum at Snyder Academy features Revolutionary War artifacts, tours and audio-visual presentations about the history of this site
Church building is wheelchair-accessible via ramp at the entrance. Snyder Academy is wheelchair-accessible by elevator located on the Caldwell Ave. side (north side) of the building.
Convenient parking available at the parking garage on Caldwell Place, across from Snyder Academy.
Fanwood — Historic Fanwood Train Station Museum
230 North Ave., Fanwood
908-322-8236
• Museum features local history, with a focus on rail service, set in the historic Fanwood Train Station building
Hillside — Evergreen Cemetery
1137 North Broad St., Hillside
908-352-7940
• Pick up a tour booklet at Woodruff House for a self-guided tour of this historic cemetery, replete with many elaborate funerary monuments
Hillside — Woodruff House, Eaton Store Museum & Phil Rizzuto All Sports Exhibit
111 Conant St., Hillside
908-353-8828
Saturday: open 10 am – 5 pm
Sunday: open 12 – 4 pm
• Tours of Woodruff House (dating to 1735) and Eaton Store (dating to 1900) and their period furnishings:
• In homage to the Woodruff apple orchards, Mini Apple Festival includes the sale of fresh apples, cider, apple turnovers, apple-cider donuts and hot dogs
• Early 1900s antique car on display
• Visit the barn to see the Phil Rizzuto All Sports Exhibit of memorabilia from local baseball legend Phil Rizzuto
• Pick up a brochure with map to take a self-guided tour of nearby historic Evergreen Cemetery
Street parking available.
Kenilworth — Oswald J. Nitschke House
49 South 21 St., Kenilworth
908-276-9090
www.kenilworthhistoricalsociety.org
• Guided tours of this circa-1880 authentically furnished home and its “teaching” gardens of heirloom flowers, vegetables and herbs
• Multicultural garden-to-table demonstration
• Textile crafting demonstration
• Interactive “living history” program portrays the everyday life of a late 19th-/early 20th-century immigrant in a developing suburb
• New exhibit: “New Orange/Kenilworth — A Melting Pot of Many Cultures”
• Light refreshments
Grounds and building are wheelchair-accessible; elevator on site.
Free parking in front of building, on the street and in municipal lot across the street.
Mountainside — Deacon Andrew Hetfield House
Constitution Plaza, Watchung Ave., Mountainside
908-789-9420
www.mountainsidehistory.org/contact-us
• Tours of this house, which dates to circa 1760 and was expanded and altered over the years
• Special exhibits
• John Sileo of the Tri-State Historical Education Simulations will discuss a Revolutionary War battle that was fought nearby, with discussion augmented by a miniature diorama showing the battle’s actions with hundreds of hand-painted soldiers
• Browse and shop at the restored Levi Cory House (circa 1818) next door
Main house is not wheelchair-accessible.
Parking lot on site.
New Providence — Salt Box Museum
1350 Springfield Ave., New Providence
908-665-1034
www.newprovidencehistorical.com
Saturday & Sunday:
• 19th-century tools exhibited outside include a restored hay wagon, laundry implements including a hand-crank ringer, foot-powered tool-sharpening wheel, and ice plow
• Tour the interior of this restored house, furnished to represent a typical mid-1800s New Jersey farmhouse, and displaying fascinating artifacts — some dating to before the American Revolution
Saturday only:
Guided Cemetery Tour (free) at New Providence Presbyterian Church, across from Salt Box at 1307 Springfield Ave., departing 1 pm and 2 pm (registration required): Learn the history of this cemetery and visit the graves of founding families and Revolutionary War soldiers on this guided 45-minute tour. Limit 20 per tour. To register and request confirmation, email NPcemeterytours@gmail.com, with name, preferred time and number of people. Meet 10 minutes before start time on the sidewalk by church parking lot. Sturdy shoes recommended, due to uneven ground.
Explore the Mason Room Archives of New Providence Historical Society: View local maps, photos, newspapers, personal journals and records in the Mason Room, located at the rear of New Providence Memorial Library, 377 Elkwood Ave., New Providence.
Park on the street for Salt Box; in church lot for Presbyterian Church cemetery tour; or in the Library lot for visiting the Mason Room.
Plainfield — Drake House Museum & Historical Society of Plainfield
602 West Front St., Plainfield
908-755-5831
www.drakehouseplainfieldnj.org
• Interior tours on rotating basis (limit 4 people per tour)
• Drake House Film Festival: a series of short videos shown on an ongoing basis (weather permitting, videos may be shown outdoors); subjects include artifacts, dance, and history; some feature drone footage.
• Information about the search for the Blue Hills Militia Post
Masks required indoors and will be available on site.
Grounds and 1st floor of building are wheelchair-accessible.
Parking lot on site; enter lot at traffic light.
Saturday only: 11 am – 3 pm
Two exhibits on view nearby at Plainfield Public Library, 800 Park Ave.:
• “A Photographic Journey through Union County History,” photographs by Nancy Ori, on view in the Anne Louise Davis Room
• “Beef, Iron and Wine: Late 19th- and Early 20th-Century Pharmacy & Medicine in Plainfield,” an exhibit of bottles from the Historical Society of Plainfield’s collection, on view in the main lobby
Plainfield — duCret School of Art
1030 Central Ave., Plainfield
908-757-7171
Open Saturday only
Closed Sunday
• Tours of this 1896 building, formerly the George Strong residence
• Exhibit of artworks from the school’s permanent collection
Parking lot on site.
Plainfield — Plainfield Quaker Meeting House
225 Watchung Ave., Plainfield
908-757-5736
Open Saturday only
Closed Sunday
• Tour this historic meetinghouse, built in 1788
Building is wheelchair-accessible. Accessible parking spaces on site.
Park in lot on site or on street (meetinghouse is across from Plainfield train station).
Rahway –– African American History & Heritage Learning Center
261 Central Ave., Rahway
732-382-0541
Open Saturday only
Closed Sunday
• Guided tours of this site, formerly an 1800s one-room schoolhouse
• Interactive programs for children and parents/guardians
• Pop-up bookstore
• Performances and art exhibitions related to the city of Rahway, African-American culture and the world
• Storytelling and oral histories
• Community reading event
• Food trucks
• Free giveaways
Park in the church lot at 253 Central Ave. or on local streets nearby.
Rahway — Merchants & Drovers Tavern Museum
1632 St. George Ave., Rahway (corner of Westfield Ave.)
732-381-0441
• Tours of this museum and restored historic building — once a tavern and stagecoach stop
• Demonstration of authentic hearth cooking
• Tours of historic Rahway Cemetery, burial site of Abraham Clark, a signer of the Declaration of Independence; and of Ambo, an enslaved woman
Museum building and bathroom are wheelchair-accessible.
Parking available on grounds.
Rahway — Union County Performing Arts Center
1601 Irving St., Rahway
732-499-8226
• Take a guided tour of this 1928 venue led by movie/theater historian and author Irv Hyatt, to include: the history of this restored theater; back stage; demonstration of the historic Wurlitzer organ with its sound effects and various connected instruments (such as drums, cymbals, xylophone); and a Projectionist with 40 years’ experience will explain the projection and movie system
Building is wheelchair-accessible. Accessible parking spaces at rear of building.
Parking available on street or behind the theatre. Or use spacious parking lot nearby at Hamilton Theater on Hamilton St.
Roselle — Abraham Clark House
101 W. 9th Ave., Roselle
732-221-7211
• Exhibits and artifacts focus on the life of Abraham Clark and the history of Roselle
Ample street parking available.
Roselle Park — Roselle Park Historical Society & Museum
9 W. Grant Ave., Roselle Park
• Exhibit exploring the history of Roselle Park — the founding families, mayors and Borough Councils through the years; with timelines about the railroads that helped develop this borough
Ground-level building entrance is wheelchair-accessible (no steps).
Free street parking available nearby, and metered parking across the street.
Scotch Plains — Frazee House
1451 Raritan Rd., Scotch Plains
Saturday only:
• Harvest Festival, featuring live music, food trucks, sale of pumpkins
• Children’s activities include: games, pony rides, petting zoo, pumpkin tossing and pumpkin patch
• Representatives will give external tours of the house restoration and describe this location’s significance on the Battle of Short Hills Historic Trail
• Video demonstration
Scotch Plains — Osborn Cannonball House Museum
1840 Front St., Scotch Plains
Weekends: 908-757-1885
www.historicalsocietyspfnj.org
• Tour this Colonial-era house and learn about the family who lived here during the American Revolution, and what life was like for the 13 Osborn children — two of whom fought in the war
• Feature program “The 18th-Century Child at Work & Play” — Children worked hard in the 1700s, but also found time to play. Explore the collection of hands-on 18th-century toys. Play a game of quoits and 9-pin bowling.
• Make a colonial hat, then wear it for a photo-op as you pose with colonial children cut-outs
Park in the Municipal lot behind town hall or on street.
Scotch Plains — Shady Rest Country Club
820 Jerusalem Rd., Scotch Plains
908-490-1577
• Tours this historic site, which was the first black-owned country club in the United States (ongoing tours with presentations)
• Documentary film “A Place for Us,” about the history of the Black-owned Shady Rest and about John Shippen, the first African-American professional golfer to play in the US Open
• The John Shippen Museum
• Arts and crafts for children
• FREE mini-golf
• Mini-golf putting contest — with prizes
• Light refreshments
Saturday only:
• Presentation about the history of horses and horseback-riding at The Shady Rest — Crazy Faith Riders of New Jersey will be on site to exhibit horses and limited Leadline Rides from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday only:
• Live jazz music performance in the Grand Ballroom by Andrew Wagner
• Thurman and Ruby Simmons will be on hand to discuss the history of John Shippen in the John Shippen Museum
Building is wheelchair-accessible. Accessible parking spaces on site.
Parking lot on site.
Springfield — Cannon Ball House/Hutchings Homestead
126 Morris Ave., Springfield
973-912-4464
www.springfieldhistoricalsociety.webs.com
• Self-guided tour of the first floor of this Colonial home that survived the Revolutionary War, featuring 18th-century artifacts in the library, parlor, dining room and colonial kitchen
• Docents from the Springfield Historical Society will answer questions
• Exhibit features the century-old, antique wedding gown of a prominent Springfield bride
• Battle of Springfield booklets, maps and 225th Anniversary memorabilia available for sale.
Saturday only:
• Members of the Brigade of the Revolution will tell stories of life as a colonial-era soldier in the days leading to the 1780 Battle of Springfield during the Revolutionary War
Entrance via rear door is just one step up, but building is not wheelchair-accessible by ramp.
Limited on-site parking; enter building via rear door.
Summit — Carter House
90 Butler Parkway, Summit
908-277-1747
www.summitnjhistory.org or www.summithistoricalsociety.org
• Informal tours of the circa-1741 Carter House
• Museum offers something for history lovers of all ages: period furniture and decorative items; a painting by the Hudson River School’s Worthington Whittredge; Colonia-era kitchen complete with hearth; a Franklin stove; and a library of local history
• Archives include photos, building histories, genealogy records, thousands of local obituaries, maps, postcards and more
• Retail shop offers handmade items and gifts with local themes
• Garage houses an antique fire truck and serves as a mini museum for the Summit Fire Dept.
Research room and entire archives are wheelchair-accessible via ramp from gravel parking lot; remainder of the museum is one step up.
Ample free parking on the street, or park in the gravel lot on site.
Summit — Reeves-Reed Arboretum
165 Hobart Ave., Summit
908-273-8787
Saturday only: open 10 am — 4 pm
Closed Sunday
• Historic public garden, education resource center, and living history museum featuring Wisner House and other outbuildings on 13.5 acres of pastoral lawns, woodland trails, a glacial bowl and historic gardens
• Free guided horticulture and history tours depart at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm from the Visitor’s Center
• History exhibit featuring photographs and artifacts from the Wisner, Reeves and Reed families
• Buildings include galleries, classroom/workshop space in the historic carriage house, and a library housing a collection of historic documents, photos and books
• Beacon Signal Fire #10, a replica of the original Revolutionary War beacon, was recently installed
• Explore the Wildflower Trail, and learn about the history of the historic daffodils here
Buildings are wheelchair-accessible. Gardens and grounds are wheelchair-accessible in some areas. Map and Guide available at Visitors Center provides details.
Park on site, across the street or in surrounding residential area (observe parking regulations).
Summit — Twin Maples
214 Springfield Ave., Summit
908-273-0301
• Guided tours of this grand Colonial Revival estate built in 1908, with a facade resembling the White House, a lavish entry hall, a ballroom, and a ladies’ secret bath tucked beneath the staircase
Parking lot on site.
Summit — Wallace Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church
138-142 Broad St., Summit
• Tour of the church buildings and grounds, focusing on Rev. Dr. Florence S. Randolph, the activist and spiritual leader who advocated for justice, equality and equity, civil rights, and women’s suffrage
Building is wheelchair accessible.
Parking lot at rear of church. Street parking also available.
Union Township — Caldwell Parsonage
909 Caldwell Ave,. Union
908-687-7977
www.unionhistory.org or www.uniontwphistoricalsociety.webs.com
• Tours of this historic parsonage site led by student docents from Union schools
• Appearance by Rev. James Caldwell, portrayed by Meridoc Burkhardt
• New exhibit: “Hannah’s At-home Dress,” created by Gail Alterman, Costume consultant, Assistant to the FIT Textile Conservator
• New exhibit: “Local Heroes of the Revolution” created by Michael Yesenko, historian and author
• Family/children’s activities include: create a tricorn hat and/or a colonial-style bonnet; make “church” dolls; play colonial and native-American games
• Shop the vintage book sale
Building is wheelchair accessible. On-street parking and municipal lot one block away.
Union Township — Connecticut Farms Church
888 Stuyvesant Ave., Union
908-688-3164
• Visit this historic church and its cemetery — congregation dates to 1730, and the original church building was burned down by the British in 1780
Union Township — Liberty Hall
1003 Morris Ave., Union
908-527-0400
• Tour the historic Firehouse Museum, with Union Township Fire Dept. on hand
• Children’s activities
• Visitor Center offers a gift shop
The main house will not be open, due to a special event.
Visitor Center and Firehouse Museum are fully wheelchair-accessible.
On-site parking available.
Union Township — Congressman Donald M. Payne Vauxhall Meeting Center
333 Russell St., Vauxhall (Union)
908-688-2797
• Displays and historical information highlight the Vauxhall section of the Township of Union; presented by the Vauxhall Historical Society
Building is wheelchair accessible and fully ADA-compliant.
Parking lot is across the street from Jefferson School, which also has a parking lot.
Westfield — Miller-Cory House Museum
614 Mountain Ave., Westfield
908-232-1776
• Informal docent-led tours of this fully furnished circa-1740 farmhouse
• Celebrating its 50th anniversary, this site will showcase 18th-century cuisine with a demonstration of authentic colonial-era open-hearth cooking, using period recipes and techniques
• Herb and kitchen gardens
Park in lot or on surrounding side-streets.
Westfield — Reeve History & Cultural Resource Center
314 Mountain Ave., Westfield
908-654-1794
www.westfieldhistoricalsociety.org
• Tour this meticulously decorated and maintained circa-1875 Italianate Victorian-era residence
• Special exhibit about the Westfield origins of Children’s Specialized Hospital
• Self-guided walking tour of the grounds includes gardens, an arboretum, and a “fairy house” hunt
Saturday only:
• Annual Westfield Historical Society AppleFest celebration held outdoors, with music and children’s games
Many activities are outdoors and wheelchair-accessible, however the building interior is not wheelchair-accessible. Interior can be seen online via a virtual tour.
Street parking available.
Four Centuries in a Weekend is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a Division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State.
The Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs is a division of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation. For information about all Cultural and Heritage programs, including grant opportunities, visit ucnj.org/cultural.
For information about all programs and activities in Union County parks, visit ucnj.org/parks or call 908-527-4900.
For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.
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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
Connect with Union County on social media.