More than 30 historic sites across Union County will be open to the public — with tours and special events, exhibits and demonstrations
The Union County Board of County Commissioners would like to announce the return of Union County’s “Four Centuries in a Weekend” countywide history event on Saturday, October 21, 2023 and Sunday, October 22, 2023. Unless noted otherwise, historic sites are open from 12:00 p.m. noon to 5:00 p.m. 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.
“Our history is not just a collection of dates and events, it is the very fabric of our community’s identity,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “This annual celebration is a testament to our commitment to preserving and sharing the rich history of our past and this journey through time connects us to the generations who came before us. Our history is alive in the stories we tell and the lessons we learn, so I invite all of our residents to participate, to explore these historic sites, and to be a part of this living history.”
Four Centuries in a Weekend is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, part of the Division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State, and is organized by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, in collaboration with staff and volunteers at the sites and is sponsored by the Union County Board of County Commissioners.
Visitors will be able to stop by 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.
At most sites, representatives or docents will provide tours or answer questions. These exhibits provide the opportunity to learn about aspects of every-day life during the 1700s, the 1800s, and more recent times.
Participating sites are:
Berkeley Heights
Deserted Village of Feltville / Glenside Park
1 Cataract Hollow Road, Berkeley Heights
Clark
Dr. William Robinson Plantation Museum
593 Madison Hill Road, Clark
Cranford
Crane-Phillips House Museum
124 North Union Avenue, Cranford
William Miller Sperry Observatory
Union College of Union County
1033 Springfield Avenue, Cranford
Elizabeth
Boxwood Hall State Historic Site
1073 E. Jersey Street, Elizabeth
Elizabeth Public Library
11 S. Broad Street, Elizabeth
Open Saturday only. Closed Sunday
Nathaniel Bonnell Homestead &
Belcher-Ogden Mansion
1046 East Jersey Street, Elizabeth
Siloam Hope First Presbyterian Church & Snyder Academy
42 Broad St., Elizabeth
Fanwood
Historic Fanwood Train Station Museum
230 North Avenue, Fanwood
Hillside
Evergreen Cemetery
1137 North Broad Street, Hillside
Woodruff House, Eaton Store Museum
111 Conant Street, Hillside
Kenilworth
Oswald J. Nitschke House
49 South 21 Street, Kenilworth
Mountainside
Deacon Andrew Hetfield House
Constitution Plaza, Watchung Avenue, Mountainside
New Providence
Salt Box Museum
1350 Springfield Avenue, New Providence
Plainfield
Drake House Museum
602 West Front Street, Plainfield
duCret Center of Art
1030 Central Avenue, Plainfield
Open Saturday only. Closed Sunday.
Rahway
African-American History & Heritage Learning Center
261 Central Avenue, Rahway
Open Saturday only. Closed Sunday
Union County Performing Arts Center
1601 Irving Street, Rahway
Roselle
Abraham Clark House
101 W. 9th Avenue Roselle
Roselle Park
Roselle Park Historical Society & Museum
9 W. Grant Avenue, Roselle Park
Scotch Plains
Frazee House
1451 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains
Osborn Cannonball House Museum
1840 Front Street, Scotch Plains
Shady Rest Country Club
820 Jerusalem Road, Scotch Plains
Springfield
Cannon Ball House
126 Morris Avenue, Springfield
Summit
Carter House
90 Butler Parkway, Summit
Reeves-Reed Arboretum
165 Hobart Avenue, Summit
Closed Saturday. Open Sunday only.
Twin Maples
214 Springfield Avenue, Summit
Wallace Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church
138-142 Broad Street, Summit
Union
Caldwell Parsonage
909 Caldwell Avenue Union
Congressman Donald M. Payne Vauxhall Meeting Center
333 Russell Street, Vauxhall (Union)
Connecticut Farms Church
888 Stuyvesant Avenue, Union
Westfield
Miller-Cory House Museum
614 Mountain Avenue, Westfield
Reeve History & Cultural Resource Center
314 Mountain Avenue, Westfield
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 details about the tours, exhibits and special activities at each site, including updates or late-breaking changes, visit www.ucnj.org/4c or contact the individual site.