The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites the public to tour the historic sites of Union County during “Four Centuries in a Weekend” on Saturday, October 18th, and Sunday, October 19th, from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm. All admission is free during this annual celebration of local history. More than 30 historic sites will be open to the public, with guided tours of the historic sites, along with special exhibits, hands-on activities, and more. This year’s event marks the lead-up to the forthcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of our nation in 2026.
“For one weekend in autumn, Union County’s rich history comes to life like never before, offering a historical charm that every resident should experience,” said Union County Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “Our ‘Four Centuries in a Weekend’ event is not just a celebration; it’s an opportunity for residents to connect with this rich heritage. Each site will tell a fascinating story that is woven into the fabric of this community. I welcome everyone to join us on this enchanting and eye-opening journey through time.”
All sites offer the Union County Passport, which can be stamped at each site visited. Additionally, several sites within the National Park Service’s Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area offer an extra unique stamp for the Passport to Your National Parks book.
The sites also provide collectible Union County History Trading Cards, which commemorate notable people, places, and events in the history of Union County. In total, more than 80 Trading Cards are available.
Unless noted otherwise, sites will be open Saturday, Oct. 18th, and Sunday, Oct. 19th, from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm. The participating sites for Four Centuries in a Weekend are as follows:
Berkeley Heights
Deserted Village of Feltville / Glenside Park
1 Cataract Hollow Rd., Berkeley Heights
Littell-Lord Farmstead*
31 Horseshoe Rd., Berkeley Heights
*Open Saturday only | Closed Sunday
Clark
Dr. William Robinson Plantation Museum
593 Madison Hill Rd., Clark
Cranford
Crane-Phillips House Museum
124 North Union Ave., Cranford
William Miller Sperry Observatory
Union College, 1033 Springfield Ave., Cranford
Elizabeth
Belcher-Ogden Mansion & Bonnell Homestead
1046 East Jersey St., Elizabeth
Boxwood Hall State Historic Site
1073 E. Jersey St., Elizabeth Elizabeth Public Library*
11 S. Broad St., Elizabeth
*Open Saturday only | Closed Sunday
Siloam-Hope First Presbyterian Church & Snyder Academy
42 Broad St., Elizabeth
Fanwood
Fanwood Train Station Museum
230 North Ave., Fanwood
Hillside
Woodruff House, Eaton Store Museum & Phil Rizzuto All Sports Exhibit
111 Conant St., Hillside
Evergreen Cemetery
1137 North Broad St., Hillside
Kenilworth
Oswald J. Nitschke House
49 South 21 St., Kenilworth
Mountainside
Deacon Andrew Hetfield House
Constitution Plaza, Watchung Ave., Mountainside
New Providence
Salt Box Museum
1350 Springfield Ave., New Providence
Plainfield
Drake House Museum
602 West Front St., Plainfield
duCret Center of Art
1030 Central Ave., Plainfield
Friends (Quaker) Meeting House*
225 Watchung Ave., Plainfield
*Open Saturday only | Closed Sunday.
Rahway
African-American History & Heritage Learning Center*
261 Central Ave., Rahway
*Open Saturday only | Closed Sunday Merchants & Drovers Tavern Museum 1632 St. George Ave., Rahway (corner of Westfield Ave.) Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC)*
1601 Irving St., Rahway
*Open Saturday only | Closed Sunday
Roselle
Abraham Clark House
101 W. 9th Ave., Roselle
Scotch Plains
Frazee House
1451 Raritan Rd., Scotch Plains
Osborn Cannonball House Museum
1840 Front St., Scotch Plains
Shady Rest Country Club
820 Jerusalem Rd., Scotch Plains
Springfield
Cannon Ball House
126 Morris Ave., Springfield
Summit
Carter House
90 Butler Parkway, Summit
Reeves-Reed Arboretum*
165 Hobart Ave., Summit
*Open Saturday only, 10 am–4 pm | Closed Sunday.
Twin Maples
214 Springfield Ave., Summit
Wallace Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church
138-142 Broad St., Summit
Union
Caldwell Parsonage
909 Caldwell Ave., Union
Connecticut Farms Church
888 Stuyvesant Ave., Union
Donald M. Payne Vauxhall Meeting Center*
333 Russell St., Union (Vauxhall)
*Open Sunday only | Closed Saturday
Liberty Hall Museum
1003 Morris Ave., Union
Westfield
Burial Grounds at Presbyterian Church*
137 Mountain Ave., Westfield
*Saturday 10 am–dusk | Sunday 12 noon–5 pm
Miller-Cory House Museum
614 Mountain Ave., Westfield
Reeve History & Cultural Resource Center
314 Mountain Ave., Westfield
“Four Centuries in a Weekend has become a cherished tradition that connects generations with the past while creating new memories today,” said Union County Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski, Liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board. “Whether you are a history enthusiast or a newcomer, the event offers an opportunity for everyone to connect with our local history, ask questions, and explore the richness of our county’s beginnings.”
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.
For locations, hours, special events, and other details about all historical sites participating in Four Centuries in a Weekend this year, visit the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs ucnj.org/parks-recreation/cultural-heritage-affairs, www.ucnj.org/4c or call (908) 558-2550.