Saturday October 9, 10 am – 5 pm

Sunday October 10, 12 pm – 4 pm

Sponsored by Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, thirty (30) of the County’s significant historic sites open their doors for the weekend. Local historians will be available to share their knowledge and stories about Somerset County’s history.

Join us at the Abraham Staats House where…

Dana Bala presents “The Kitchen Historian”
Cookbooks and recipes have been overlooked as resources for historical research. They provide information about a myriad of issues such as the role of women, politics, cultural issues, ingredients available, kitchen tools and utensils, fuel sources, literacy, and economic issues. Dana will discuss how cookbooks, recipes, Grandma’s recipe box, and the treasured community cookbook affected family life, the community, and American culture from the 1870’s-1960’s. She will bring vintage cookbooks, utensils, and aprons for show and tell.

Special activities at the Abraham Staats House include guided house tours by interpreters in period clothing, 18th century music performed by Thomas Harabin, and exhibits on the Middlebrook Cantonment, the Staats Family, and 18th century life.

ADMISSION to all sites is FREE.

Saturday October 9, 10 am – 5 pm

Sunday October 10, 12 pm – 4 pm

Sponsored by Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, thirty (30) of the County’s significant historic sites open their doors for the weekend. Local historians will be available to share their knowledge and stories about Somerset County’s history.

Join us at the Abraham Staats House where…

Dana Bala presents “The Kitchen Historian”
Cookbooks and recipes have been overlooked as resources for historical research. They provide information about a myriad of issues such as the role of women, politics, cultural issues, ingredients available, kitchen tools and utensils, fuel sources, literacy, and economic issues. Dana will discuss how cookbooks, recipes, Grandma’s recipe box, and the treasured community cookbook affected family life, the community, and American culture from the 1870’s-1960’s. She will bring vintage cookbooks, utensils, and aprons for show and tell.

Special activities at the Abraham Staats House include guided house tours by interpreters in period clothing, 18th century music performed by Thomas Harabin, and exhibits on the Middlebrook Cantonment, the Staats Family, and 18th century life.

ADMISSION to all sites is FREE.

The Abraham Staats House is one of the finest surviving buildings from the Dutch Settlement of the Raritan Valley in the 18th century. It began life as a two-room structure housing the first owners, the Staats family, who remained at the homestead for nearly two centuries. Over the centuries the house has been expanded several times and now includes a fine late, Federal/Greek Revival two-story addition.

ADMISSION: FREE

The Abraham Staats House is one of the finest surviving buildings from the Dutch Settlement of the Raritan Valley in the 18th century. It began life as a two-room structure housing the first owners, the Staats family, who remained at the homestead for nearly two centuries. Over the centuries the house has been expanded several times and now includes a fine late, Federal/Greek Revival two-story addition.

Our “Open House” is held the second Saturday of each month (closed July and August) from 10AM to Noon, when the house is open for free tours.  Please check our Event Calendar for special events that may be occurring during Open House hours. Past programs have featured 18th c. blacksmithing demonstration, open hearth cooking and live music.

ADMISSION: FREE

Saturday December 4, 1 – 4 pm
Sunday December 5, 1 – 4 pm

Each room of the Abraham Staats House is uniquely and festively decorated for the holidays by community organizations and members of the Friends of Abraham Staats House. Enjoy sights and sounds of the season. Seasonal music and light refreshments.

Donations accepted.

ADMISSION: FREE

Join us for a live performance of uplifting seasonal music by the Madrigal Singers of Franklin Township High School, directed by Tim Walton.

Seating opens at 12:30 PM. Performance begins at 1:00 PM.

Seating is limited to a first come, first served basis.

ADMISSION: FREE

Candlelight Tour at the Abraham Staats House, led by a guide in period 18th century clothing, visit rooms of the house, decorated for the season. Learn about the house, Staats family, and early history of Christmas. Enjoy light refreshments and seasonal music.

Register and purchase tickets online through eventbrite.com starting September 30th.

Saturday December 4, 1 – 4 pm
Sunday December 5, 1 – 4 pm

Each room of the Abraham Staats House is uniquely and festively decorated for the holidays by community organizations and members of the Friends of Abraham Staats House. Enjoy sights and sounds of the season. Seasonal music and light refreshments.

Donations accepted.

ADMISSION: FREE