Journey Through the Past

The Abraham Staats House participates each year in this event. The Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, in conjunction with local historical organizations and tourism partners, offers this free weekend program annually, the second week of October “Journey through the Past.”

We look forward to welcoming you to Somerset County’s annual Journey Through the Past, a perfect opportunity to take your family on a weekend outing to visit and immerse yourself in the distant past. We invite you to satisfy your curiosity and expand your knowledge through the discovery of many fascinating aspects and oral histories surrounding more than two dozen significant historic sites open, free of charge, for touring all weekend-long. You’ll learn much about their former occupants, some among whom were quite distinguished statesmen and national leaders; how they occupied their day to day lives, from daily work responsibilities and pleasurable pastimes to the difficult hardships endured during the American Revolution.

As you journey from site to site you will discover that many have significant Revolutionary War histories, contributing to the area’s designation as the “Crossroads of the American Revolution State Heritage Area.” By the end of your journey, you will have a greater appreciation of the history of Somerset County and the lives of early settlers – who they were, where they came from, how they lived, and how they made a difference in the lives of their neighbors, in the growth and development of our county, and their contributions to the rich heritage and development of our great nation.

Participating sites are open free of charge for visitors on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and again on Sunday, Noon to 4:00 p.m

Many of the sites have significant Revolutionary War histories and have contributed to the area’s designation as the “Crossroads of the American Revolution State Heritage Area”. Local historians will be on hand to share their knowledge and stories about Somerset County’s history.