Kids Guide NJ | New Jersey historic sites for children, teens and families

PLEASE NOTE: Hours, prices, exhibit and event information are subject to change.
Please call ahead or use the convenient website links to get the latest information prior to your visit.

history activity kit
908-558-2550. Developed by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs with the advice of teachers and parents, the free
history activity kit reinforces the fourth grade curriculum and meets criteria for scout badges by highlighting seventeen of Union County's history museums.

morris county visitors center
6 Court St. (across from Morris County Court House), Morristown, 973-631-5151. Open Mon.-Fri. 10-4. Excellent one-stop source of information about destinations and events in Morris County. Brochures, maps and calendars available. Hosts themed walking tours of historic Morristown. Pick up walking tour for kids brochure or view online at www.morristourism.org.

www.visitnj.org
New Jersey is filled with homes and sites of historic interest. Listings below are noted for programs specifically geared to children and families.
For a complete list of historic sites and additional events throughout the state, consult the State of New Jersey's official website at www.visitnj.org.

Acorn Hall
68 Morris Ave., Morristown, 973-267-3465. Mon. & Thurs. 10-4, Sun. 1-4. Guided tours every half hour. Group tours by appointment. Adults $6, srs. $5, students $3, under 12 free. Italianate Victorian mansion, built in 1853, is the headquarters of the Morris County Historical Society. From the back of the garden, a short trail leads down to the Whippany River and to the site of a Revolutionary War gunpowder mill. On and off-site speakers and educational programs; traveling trunks available for rental. Gardens and gift shop.
Exhibitions
Thru Apr 18
     Life After George: Morristown After the Revolution.
Opens
Jun 3
     Costume Exhibit, wedding, evening, tea, night and more gowns from the Historical Society's extensive costume collection.
Special Events
May 16
     Be Our Guest, 12-5. Visit Acorn Hall and other historic sites in Morris County at no charge.
May 22
     Annual Antiques & Yard Sale, 9:30-2. Loads of contemporary and vintage bargains.

Allaire Village
Allaire State Park, Rt. 524 (exit 98 GSP), Wall Township. Village: 732-919-3500, Park: 732-938-2371. Historic buildings open Memorial Day-Labor Day: Wed.-Sun. 12-4; May, Sept.-Nov.: Weekends 10-4. Open special weekends in winter. Admission fee to visit historic buildings on weekends May thru Nov.: Adults $3, ages 6-12 $2, 5 & under free. Parking fee: Memorial Day weekend thru Labor Day.
   Living museums display artifacts from the Howell Iron Works village of 1822-1848. Costumed interpreters explain the history and demonstrate various crafts. The Pine Creek Railroad, a narrow gauge rail line operating both diesel and steam locomotives, makes a 1.5 mile loop in the park and runs 10-4:30pm weekends & holidays April-Nov. 1; weekdays July & Aug. Tickets are $4 ages 3 & over, free under 3. The Christmas Express operates weekends in late Nov.-Dec. with tickets on sale beginning Oct. 1. (732-938-5524).
  State park features hiking and multi-use trails, camping, nature center (staffed Memorial Day thru Labor Day) with interpretive programs (732-938-6707), picnicking, snack bar, playground, canoeing and fishing on the Manasquan River.
Selected Events
Feb 14
     1830s George Washington's Birthday Celebration, 12-3pm, program at 1pm.
Mar 7
     St. Patrick's Day in the 1830s, 1 & 2pm.

Bouman Stickney Farmstead
114 Dreahook Rd., Stanton, 908-236-2327. Open 1-4pm year round first Sun. of every month. 1741 stone Dutch House on 68 acres with outbuildings including a Revolutionary era New York Dutch barn offers traditional craft demonstrations and guided tours of buildings and grounds. Self-guided nature trail is available daily during daylight hours.

Cooper Gristmill
Black River County Park, County Rt. 513 (old Rt. 24), Chester Twp., 908-879-5463. May-June: Sat. 10-5. July-Aug.: Wed.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 12-5. Sept.-Oct. Sat. 10-5, Sun. 12-5. Last tour begins at 3:30. Adults $3, srs. $2, children 4-16 $1, under age 4 free.
Visitors can watch the water-powered millstones grind grain into flour at a turn-of-the-century gristmill on the Black River. Different demonstrations of life in the 1800s on most Sat. and/or Sun. School programs; group tours, 973-631-5343; summer day camp (see Travels in Time under Camps), 973-829-8419.

Crane House Museum
110 Orange Rd., Montclair, 973-744-1796. Open for guided tours 1 & 2pm Sundays March-Dec. Closed Jan. and Feb. except for group tours. Adults $5, children $3.
Owned and operated by the Montclair Historical Society, this 1796 house was home to three generations of the Crane family, one of the founding families of Montclair. Furnished period rooms plus temporary exhibits. Adult and family programs on local history offered year-round; summer history camps. Open for tours and group tours by appointment. Offices and local history library at 108 Orange Rd. open Mon.-Fri. 9-5.

Deserted Village of Feltville/Glenside Park
Glenside Ave., Union County Watchung Reservation, Berkeley Heights, 908-527-4900. Listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, this site has been a farming community, mill town, deserted village, and summer resort over the course of two centuries. Ten buildings remain and the Church/Store building has been restored as an interpretive center. A 1-mile self-guided walking tour begins in the parking lot off Glenside Ave. Guided tours are offered periodically. Call for information about Operation Archaeology site, a school program for 5th grade students, 908-558-2550.

Drake House Museum
602 W. Front St., Plainfield, 908-755-5831. Open Sat. 10-1, Sun. 2-4pm or by appointment. Beautifully restored rooms portray the farm life of the Nathanial Drake family in the 1700s and the Victorian life of New York City banker, John S. Harberger, during the late 1800s. The original 1746 farmhouse served as headquarters for George Washington during the Battle of Short Hills in 1777. Significant American paintings, folk art, period furniture and decorative pieces are on display. Group tours; Traveling Trunk exhibit available for school and community groups.

Drumthwacket
354 Stockton St., Princeton, 609-683-0057. Suggested donation $5. Tours of the official residence of the Governor are given most Wed. throughout the year (except Aug. and Dec.). Spring, summer and fall tours include the formal Italianate gardens. Reservations required, call or visit www.drumthwacket.org

Durand-Hedden House & Garden
523 Ridgewood Rd., Maplewood, 973-763-7712. Sept.-June: Sun. 1-4pm. Donations appreciated. Historic house circa 1790 has been restored to show the continuum of its life from 1790 to 1930. Open houses are held each month with tours, children's activities and country store. Jr. docent after-school program for members and jr. members in grades 3 & 4. School tours available.
Jan 24
     18th c. Open Hearth Cooking Demonstration.
Feb 21
     Father of Maplewood Builder Edward C. Balch, architecture games for kids.
Mar 7
     Cheese Making: Jane's Whey, demonstration.
Apr 11
     Landscaping Your Home to Suit Its Style, talk by avid horticulturalist Marta McDowell. Meet the beekeeper of the new honeybee hive.
May 9
     The Uncertain Revolution, stories by New Jersey historian John T. Cunningham.
Jun 13
     The Blasted Herb: Tea & Rebellion in the American Colonies, costumed presentation of tea lore, songs, poetry, living history display and demonstration.

East Jersey Olde Towne Village
Johnson Park, 1050 River Rd. (intersection of River Rd. & Old Hoes Lane), Piscataway, 732-745-3030. Tues.-Fri. 8:30-4:15; Sun. 1-4. Guided public tours: Tues.-Fri. & Sun. 11:30 & 1:30. Group tours by appointment.
A collection of original, replica and reconstructed 18th & 19th century structures depict the farm and merchant communities once found in central New Jersey. Storytellers and crafts are periodically presented.

Edison National Historic Site
Main St. & Lakeside Ave. (exit 9 Rt. 280), West Orange, 973-736-0550. Laboratory Complex: Wed.-Sun. 9-5. Glenmont: Fri.-Sun. 11:30-5. Entrance fee of $7 is valid for 7 days and includes Laboratory Complex and Glenmont. Ages under 16 free. Standard and family audio tours $5.
Thomas Edison's original music recording studio, private laboratory and photography studio are open for all to see, hear and experience, displaying many original furnishings and a vast collection of unique artifacts and documents. Glenmont, Edison's home in Llewellyn Park, is open for tours Fri.-Sun. on the hour 12-4pm. A pass must be obtained from the Laboratory Visitor Center in order to enter Llewellyn Park. Tickets for the house tour are limited and distributed on a first-come first-served basis from the Visitor Center.
Open
Grand Reopening of Laboratory Complex, after a six year renovation, features the opening of new buildings, new exhibits and a vast assortment of artifacts and documents on display for the first time in the park's history.

Thomas A. Edison Memorial Tower & Menlo Park Museum
37 Christie St., Edison, 732-549-3299. Thurs.-Sat. 10-4. Donations welcome. Free tours during operating hours. 13-ft. replica light bulb sits atop 131-ft. Memorial Tower where over 400 patented inventions were developed including the phonograph and electric light bulb. Many inventions are on display in the museum.

Fleming Castle
5 Bonnell St., Flemington, 908-782-4607. Open 2nd Sat. 1-4pm. Tours by appointment for scout and school groups. Visitors to the c. 1756 building can play with Colonial toys and games and discover Castle artifacts in a scavenger hunt. Children's workshops and special events are held throughout the year.

Ford Mansion & Museum/Washington's Headquarters
10 Washington Place (exit 36 I-287), Morristown, 973-539-2016 ext. 210. Daily 9-5. Ford Mansion shown by guided tours on the hour 10-4. Adults $4, ages under 16 free.
   Mansion served as the military headquarters of General George Washington during the winter encampment of 1779-80. 1930s Museum includes two exhibit galleries, 20-minute introductory videos and bookstore.
Until Spring
     Mansion temporarily closed for renovations.
     Museum remains open offering PowerPoint presentation of the house and free color-illustrated souvenir booklet of the Mansion's interior.
New
     Primary Source Seminar, provides students the occasion to study historical manuscripts firsthand. Classes by appointment only.

Fosterfields
73 Kahdena Rd., off County Rt. 510 (old Rt. 24), Morristown, 973-326-7645. April-June & Oct.: Wed.-Fri. 1-5, Sat. 10-5, Sun. 12-5. July-Sept.: Wed.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 12-5. Adults $6, srs. $5, children 4-16 $4, ages 2-3 $2, under 2 free. Add $2 for special events. Memberships available.
   Farmers can usually be found engaged in one of their many daily chores from tending the crops to animal care on an operating farm from 1880-1910 era. Weekends feature different demonstrations of farm chores and early crafts. Tours of the Willows, one of New Jersey's finest Gothic Revival restorations, are available Wed.-Sun. afternoons (additional $1). Group & school tours. Travels in Time summer program for ages 10-12 (see Camps).
Wed-Sun
     Guided Tours of The Willows, Wed.-Sun. at specific times by reservation only. Add $1 to admission for ages 2 and up.
Selected Weekend Events
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Feb 6
     A Winter's Day on the Farm: From Sap to Syrup, 12-4pm. Help tap maple trees, watch ice harvested on the pond, saw wood, crack corn, collect eggs, make a craft and learn about woodstove cooking.

The Hermitage
335 N. Franklin Tnpk. (GSP exit 165 to Rt. 17N), Ho-Ho-Kus, 201-445-8311. Guided tours Wed.-Sun. 1-4, last tour starts at 3:15. Adults $5, srs. & students $4, ages 6-12 $2. Stone house, renovated in 1847-48 in Gothic Revival design, was visited during the Revolutionary War by Washington and was the site of the marriage of Aaron Burr and Theodosia Prevost. Living history events are held throughout the year. History lecture series, on-site and in-class school programs, scout, after-school programs and summer history camps are offered.
Selected Special Events
Non-members $5, members and children under 6 free. Admission inslues a tour of the historic Hermitage.
Jan 9-10
     Civil War Winter Camp, portrays how soldiers survived in harsh wintertime conditions. 1-4.
Jan 29
     Closet Archaeology, exhibition openng. 7pm.
May 15-16
     Civil War Living History Weekend, springtime encampment. 1-4pm.
TBA
     A Touch of England, vintage automobile & motorcycle show. Adults $5, ages 6-12 $3.
Jun 12
     Revolutionary War Encampment, military drills, demonstrations of 18th century crafts, children's activities. 1-4.

Historic Speedwell
Rt. 202 (333 Speedwell Ave.) at Cory Rd., Morristown, 973-285-6550. April-June: Wed.-Sat. 10-5, closed Sun. July-Oct. : Wed.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 12-5. Adults $4, srs. $3, children 4-16 $2 (except participants in girl scout badge day). Restored 19th century mansion and ironworks buildings on 7.5 acres capture the daily life of the Vail family and their contributions to the American Industrial Revolution. The Factory building was the site of the first successful public demonstration of the telegraph in 1838. Group tours; scout programs; picnic area; adult and children's craft series; summer history camp for children (see Camps).
Home School Days
Educational and interactive programs designed for Home School students and instructors. Students $5, adults $4. Pre-registration required.

Howell Living History Farm
101 Hunter Rd., Titusville (off Rt. 29 2 mi. south of Lambertville), 609-737-3299. Open Sat.: 10-4 on specified dates, with field or craft programs from 11-3. Open Sun. for self-guided tours only: April-Nov. noon-4pm. Open Tues.-Fri.: Feb. thru Nov. 10-4. Closed Mon., holidays and month of Jan. Free admission, materials fee for craft.
A working farm for 200 years is being restored to operate like a typical family farm circa 1900. Farmstand (open Wed. & Sat. July-Oct.); group programs; Farmhands activity program for ages 6-9 with adult; The Hatchery program for ages 3-5 with adult; Working Hands for teens; and summer farm camp for ages 6-12.
Craft programs, which take about 20 min. to complete, are offered most Saturdays during open season from 11-3. Materials fee varies from $1-3. Groups of 8 or more must preregister. Call for date-specific craft information.

Industrial Heritage Tours
Morris County Park Commission, 973-285-6538. Historians lead easy to challenging, 212-hour to full-day hikes to mines, dams, canals and other sites of significance to Morris County's industrial heritage.

Jockey Hollow
Tempe Wick Rd. west to Visitor Center parking, Morris Township, 973-539-2016. Visitor Center: daily 9-5. Park: daily 'til sunset. Free. Follow in the footsteps of General George Washington and his continental army during the winter of 1779-80 as you explore the forests and rolling terrain of Jockey Hollow National Park. 1750 Wick House and farm; herb garden; NJ Brigade site; 5 reconstructed soldier huts; 21 miles of hiking trails include Old Camp Road Trail (blue blazes) built by Washington's army, the Aqueduct Trail, and yellow trail to the site of the original soldier huts and actual hearthstones that were placed by Washington's soldiers. Trail map available at Visitor Center.
Ongoing
Morristown National Historical Park Junior Ranger Badge, children ages 6-12 can learn about the American Revolution at Washington's Headquarters or Jockey Hollow, complete activity booklet and earn a Junior Ranger Badge. Call 973-539-2016 x210 for reservations for school or scout groups.

Liberty Hall Museum
1003 Morris Ave., Union, 908-527-0400. Wed.-Sat. 10-4, Sun. 12-4 (last tour 3pm). Adults $10, srs., college students with valid ID and children $6, children under 3 free. Beautifully preserved estate, built in 1772 and lived in until 1995 by seven generations of the Livingston/Kean family. Liberty Hall is an intact, fully furnished home, which reflects two hundred years of New Jersey and United States history. Guided tours, formal garden, apple orchard, carriage house, ice house, firehouse and wagon shed. Picnic area and gift shop; meeting and wedding facilities; firefighter and Victorian tea parties. Group educational programs are offered Mon.-Fri.
Exhibitions
Feb 1-Mar 31
     Oh Freedom Exhibit, explores the story of Blacks in New Jersey on the battlefront and in the aftermath of the Revolutionary War.
Special Events
Wed
     Afternoon Tea, select Wed. from 2-4pm. $33 per person includes house tour. Reservations required, call for Wednesday dates.
Family Craft Workshops
10am-noon. $10 per child includes workshop materials, unless noted. Reservations required.
Feb 6
     Will You Be Mine?, old fashioned Valentine's craft.
Mar 6
     Traditions of Ireland, crafts, Irish dancing, music and traditions.
Mar 13
     St. Patrick's Day Parade, in Union.
Apr 3
     Annual Easter Egg Hunt, noon. $5, reservations required.
May 1
     Mother's Day Floral Craft, crepe paper flowers.
May 9
     Annual Mother's Day Afternoon Tea, 12-2pm. $40, reservations required.

Liberty State Park
Morris Pesin Dr. (Exit 14C NJ Tnpk.), Jersey City, 201-915-3440. Daily 6am-10pm. Exhibits at CRRNJ Terminal open Memorial Day-Labor Day 8-6, limited exhibits year 'round. Free. Statue of Liberty Ferry fees: Ages 13+ $12, srs. $10, ages 4-12 $5.
   As the launching point to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Liberty State Park offers dramatic waterfront views, a visitors center, interpretive center, and exhibits at the historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal where about two-thirds of all immigrants boarded trains to their new homes from 1892-1954. Ferry service runs year round from Liberty State Park to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. For ferry information: 877-523-9849, www.statuecruises.com. Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island info: 212-363-3200, www.nps.gov/elis.
   The park also features a giant playground; bike/walking paths; Liberty Walk, a 112 mile promenade along the Hudson River; dining at the marina and visitors center. Water taxis and scenic cruises leave from Liberty Landing Marina. For programs at CRRNJ, call 201-915-3412; for programs at interpretive center and outreach programs, call 201-915-3409. See listing under Outdoor Education Centers for interpretive center programs.
Open
     Statue of Liberty. With the purchase of a ferry ticket from www.statuecruises.com, visitors can reserve a Pedestal/Museum ticket, which provides access to the statue's pedestal observation levels and museum galleries, or Crown ticket, which provides access to both the Crown and Pedestal/Museum. Both tickets require a secondary screening. Reserved tickets are strongly recommended on weekends, holidays and May-Sept. A limited number of monument access tickets may be available daily at the ferry ticket booths. Elevators to the pedestal level is not in service so visitors must be able to climb 168 steps to the top of the pedestal. The only way to reach the crown is to climb 354 steps.
     Junior Ranger Program booklet available at Liberty or Ellis Island Information Centers, recommended for ages 7-12.
New
     Self-Guided Audio Tours for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Immigration Museum are offered in 9 languages. Children and family audio tours provide an interactive experience through the use of animal characters.
Open
     Park in a Pack educational kit available "on loan" free of charge to educators for 2 week periods. Includes teaching guide, activities and 4 videos about the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island for grades 4-8, 212-363-3200.
     American Family Immigration History Center at Ellis Island Museum and on the internet at www.ellisislandrecords.org provides advanced computer technology for geneology research. Visitors can access records of more than 22 million immigrants through 41 computer terminals.
Selected Interpretive Programs Free
Jun-Aug
     CRRNJ Terminal Walking Tours, Movies, Talks and More, 10-2 daily. 201-915-3412.

Longstreet Farm
Holmdel Park, Roberts & Longstreet Rds., Holmdel, 732-946-3758. Daily 10-3:45. Memorial Day-Labor Day: 9am-5pm. Farmhouse open weekends & holidays Mar.-Dec. noon-3:30 or by reservation. Life on a general farm in the 1890's is recreated by costumed interpreters working in fields and buildings throughout the 9-acre site. Discovery Room at Holmes-Hendrickson House.
   Park features picnic areas, snack bar, playgrounds, walking trails and arboretum.
Seasonal Highlights
Summer
     Cultivating, some harvesting.
Fall
     Harvesting, plowing, threshing, cider pressing.
Winter
     Craft & cooking demonstrations.
Spring
     Plowing, blacksmithing, sheep shearing and cooking, newborn farm animals.

Macculloch Hall
45 Macculloch Ave., Morristown, 973-538-2404. Open Wed., Thurs. & Sun. 1-4pm, last ticket at 3pm. Group tours by appointment. Garden open daily dawn to dusk. Adults $6, srs. & students $5, under 12 free. Federal-style mansion built in 1810 is furnished with fine 18th & 19th century decorative arts and a display of Thomas Nast (the original artist to depict Santa Claus as we know him) memorabilia. Guided tours, changing exhibit galleries with occasional related workshops for children.Exhibitions
Thru Feb
The Spirit of Thomas Nast: His Life & Legacy, The Original Thomas Nast & Thomas Nast & the American Christmas.

Millbrook Village
Delaware Water Gap, Old Mine Rd., 12 mi. N I-80, 908-841-9531. Grounds open dawn to dusk daily. Selected buildings open weekends summer-early fall and for special events. Re-creation of a late 19th century rural community with schoolhouse, general store, woodworking shop, blacksmith shop, carriage shop, weaver's house, church, some homes and barns. Run by Millbrook Village Society with the National Park Service. Self-guided tours, demonstrations of 19th-century folk-life skills weekends in summer.

Miller-Cory House Museum
614 Mountain Ave., Westfield, 908-232-1776. Open Sundays during school year (except holiday weekends) 2-4pm. Closed summer. Adults $2.50, students $1, under 4 free. Costumed docents guide visitors through 1740 farmhouse and skilled craftspeople demonstrate crafts and tasks of the 18th century farm family. Open hearth cooking demonstrated most Sundays (except Jan. & Feb.). Museum shop. Weekday tours for groups available. Showcase of 18th Century Skills visits local schools.
Selected Events
Jan 17
     Closed.
Jan 24
     Tin Piercing for Kids, 2-4pm.
Jan 31
     Closed.
Feb 7
     Valentine's Day Program, 2-4pm.
Feb 14
     Closed.
Feb 21
     Quilting, 2-4pm.
Feb 28
     Closed.
Mar 7
     Maple Sugar Sunday, 2-4pm.
Mar 14
     Spot of Tea, 2-4pm.
Mar 21
     Spiders & Salamanders, 18th Century Kitchen Utensils, 2-4pm.
Mar 28
     Silhouette Craft for Kids, 2-4pm.
Apr-Jun
     Call or check website for schedule.

Morven Museum & Garden
55 Stockton St., Princeton, 609-924-8144. Open Wed.-Fri. 11-3, tours every hour 11:15-2:15. Sat. & Sun. 12-4, tours every hour 12:15-3:15. Adults & students (appropriate for ages 8 & up) $5, srs. $4. Former New Jersey Governor's Mansion and 18th century home of Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Morven now showcases fine, folk and decorative arts of New Jersey. Museum tours year round, garden tours May-Oct. Strollers are not permitted.
Exhibitions
Thru Spring
     Rocks & Dinos!, paintings by preeminent dinosaur artist paired with fossils from the NJ State Museum are on display. Exhibit includes interactive components for children and fluorescent rocks from Sterling Hill Mining Museum.
May 8
     Morven's Annual Heirloom Plant Sale, 9-3.
Selected Events
Wed
     Tour & Tea, served at 1pm. $15, reservations required (not available in Dec.).

New Jersey State House
West State St., Trenton, 609-633-2709. Tours on the hour Mon.-Fri. 10-3 and Sat. 12-3pm. Free. Reservations required for groups of 10 or more. Tours of the nation's second oldest state capitol in continuous use include the recently restored Senate and Assembly chambers, caucus rooms and the Governor's Reception Room. Welcome Center, open Mon.-Fri 9-4:30, houses interactive exhibits about NJ history.

Old Barracks Museum
Barrack St., Trenton, 609-396-1776, 609-777-3599. Daily 10-5. Adults $8, srs. & children 6 & over $6, 6 & under free. A registered State and National Historic Landmark built in 1758, this is the last surviving barracks built for British regulars during the French & Indian War. The barracks was also actively used in the American Revolution as a barracks and army hospital. Interpreters recount life during the American Revolution. Visitors can explore the process of historic preservation through hands-on activities in the History Lab. Group programs; youth camp-ins; private tours; summer camp. For outreach programs, call Education Dept. at 609-777-4042 or 888-227-7225.

Red Mill Museum Village
56 Main St. (exit 15 Rt. 78), Clinton, 908-735-4101. April-Oct.: Tues.-Sat. 10-4, Sun. noon-5. Adults $8, srs. $6, children 6-12 $5. 10-acre historic site features 12 structures, including the landmark Red Mill, and a permanent collection of 40,000 regional objects. Craft workshops; lectures; group programs, outreach programs; many special events; outdoor concert series.

Sterling Hill Mining Company
30 Plant St., Ogdensburg, Sussex County, 973-209-7212. April 1-Nov. 30: Daily 10-3. Jan. & Feb.: open weekends. March: open daily, weather permitting. Tours at 1pm; at other times for 10 or more visitors. Adults $10, seniors $9, children under 12 $7.50. Group discounts with advance notice. Recommended for ages 6 & up. A 2-hour guided tour takes you into underground tunnels to learn first-hand about zinc mining in New Jersey and see the spectacular display of fluorescent minerals. Exhibit hall features mining artifacts, equipment and rare minerals. Light jacket recommended, proper footwear required.
2nd Sat
Fossil Discovery Center, 12:30pm. 30-min. fossil hunting with paleontologist. Recommended for grades 2-12. $4.50, limited to 25 people. Groups of 15 or more can schedule individual appointment by calling 973-209-7212.
Rock, Mineral & Fossil Identification Days, 10-12:30pm on the 2nd Sat. of the month.

Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms
Rt. 10 West and Manor Lane (3 mi. west of Rt. 287), Parsippany, 973-540-1165. Open weekends 11-4 (tours hourly 11:15-3:15). From April-Nov. also open Wed.-Fri. 12-3 (tours at 12:15 & 1:45). Adults $7, students/srs. $5, ages 3-12 $4. Explore the simple life philosophy advocated by furniture manufacturer, architect, and publisher, Gustav Stickley, at his family home. Guided tours; group tours; architecture and heritage scout programs (call 973-540-0311); museum shop.
Selected Events
May TBA
Family Day.

Tuckerton Seaport
120 W. Main St. (GSP exit 58), Tuckerton, 609-296-8868. April-Dec.: daily 10-5. Nov.-Dec.: Fri.-Sun. 11-4. Closed Dec. 22-April. Adults $8; srs. $6; ages 6-12 $3, 5 & under free; group rates; student rates. Recreated seaport village traces the area's maritime history with docents and artisans bringing the village to life. Buildings include Tucker's Island Lighthouse, a cafe, oyster house, sawmill, boat works, decoy shop, yacht club and houseboat.

Washington Crossing State Park
355 Washington Crossing-Pennington Rd., Titusville, 609-737-0623. Interpretive Center: 609-737-0609. Johnson Ferry House: 609-737-2515. Interpretive Center & historic buildings open Wed.-Sun. year 'round. George Washington and the Continental Army crossed the Delaware River and landed at this site on Dec. 25, 1776, leading to pivotal events in the American Revolution. Living history demonstrations are frequently held on weekends at Johnson Ferry House, an early 18th-century farmhouse. Outdoor education programs are offered at Interpretive Center. Hiking trails; fishing; picnic facilities; playground; group campsites; outdoor air theater; cross country skiing & snowshoeing in winter.
Selected Interpretive Programs Free
Jan 16
     Video: John Paul Jones: Captain of the High Seas. 2pm.
Jan 21
     Video: Paul Revere: The Midnight Rider, 2pm.
Jan 30
     Video: Thomas Jefferson: Philosopher of Freedom, 2pm.
Feb 6
     Video: Benjamin Franklin: Citizen of the World, 2pm.
Feb 20
     Maple Sugaring, 1-2:30pm. Pre-register.
     Video: George Washington: Founding Father, Visitor Center Museum, 2pm.
Feb 21
     George Washington's Birthday Celebration, Johnson Ferry House, 1-4pm.
Feb 27
     Video: Discover New Jersey: Revolutionary Travels, Visitor Center Museum, 2pm.
Mar 7
     Maple Sugaring, 1:30-3pm. Pre-register.
Mar 27
     Musket Firing Demonstration, 2pm.

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