Stillwater Historical Museum/Historical Society of Stillwater 900 Main Street Newton, NJ 07860

"A Local Journey: Exploring the outskirts of New York City, Dedication to Warren Watrel, Exploring Historic Sussex County NJ, Exploring Historic Towns in New Jersey, Exploring Manhattan Block by Block, Exploring New Jersey, Exploring New York City by foot, Exploring the Island of Manhattan, Exploring the State of New Jersey, Historic New Jersey Towns and Neighborhoods, Historical Towns of New Jersey, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), Small Historical Societies in New Jersey, Small museums in New Jersey, Smile! Your Visiting New Jersey!, Stillwater Historical Museum, Sussex County Heritage Weekend, Uncategorized, Visiting a Museum in New Jersey, Walking in Downtown Stillwater NJ, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Stillwater Historical Museum/Historical Society of Stillwater

900 Main Street

Newton, NJ 07860

https://www.facebook.com/groups/HistoricStillwater

https://www.historicstillwater.org

Admission: Free but donations are appreciated

Open: check the website for hours/Seasonal

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g46674-d34737428-r1081596401-Stillwater_Historical_Museum-Newton_New_Jersey.html

The front of the Stillwater Historical Society

The last museum on my tour during the Sussex County Heritage Weekend was the Stillwater Historical Society Museum in Stillwater, NJ, a small town just west of Newton, NJ, the County Seat of Sussex NJ.

The Historical Society is set up like a General store on the first floor with displays with merchandise of the past and household items. They have recreated the recreation of the past with a modern twist. How did a small town buy and sell a hundred years ago? How did they socialize when this was the place of communication?

The sign for the museum

The Historical Society of Stillwater Township:

(from the museum pamphlet)

Since its organization in 1977, the mission of the Society has been to foster and promote an interest in Stillwater area history by maintaining a museum and reference library of historic artifacts and genealogical records of area families and support preservation efforts of historic structures sites and events.

Through the generous foresight and planning of Mr. Amos F. Dixon and his wife, Mrs. Mary W. Dixon, the museum associated with the Historical Society of Stillwater Township has been located within the Neighborhood House on Main Street in Stillwater since 1954. Originally a one room schoolhouse from 1842 to 1909 and the home of Mary W. Dixon Library, within the building are interpretive displays of a restored schoolroom and a general store with a post office. A collection of artifacts depicting the early life of the village and surrounding area is on display as well as a costume collection, mineral collection, Native American artifacts and military items dating back to the Revolutionary War. Genealogical records, photographs and newspaper clippings of historic significance to the area and its families are part of the Reference Library.

The first floor gallery of the Stillwater Historical Society is set up like a general store.

The first floor gallery

The History of the Museum:

(from the museum pamphlet)

The museum’s collection has grown and flourished throughout the years thanks to generous donations from the Stillwater community. The Society is always seeking locally-relevant physical artifacts and genealogical information. Dedicated members are working to preserve the artifacts and we are currently computerizing our collections to make the information.

The Preservation of the Museum:

(from the museum pamphlet)

Along with the continued preservation of the Museum and its artifacts, the society has supported the concept of an historic district in Stillwater and recently assisted in the historic registry designation of the Shafer Grist Mill in Stillwater village. The Society & the Casper Shafer residence on Main Street previously assisted with the preservation of Keen’s Mill in the Swartswood Lake area.

The Van Horn family burial plot is also preserved and maintained by the Society. The Society supports all efforts to preserve these and other important historic structures and to make them available for public enjoyment and educational purposes.

To support Stillwater’s community life, the Society hosts educational programs and fund-raising events throughout the year. Past topics have included the evolution of grist mills, herbal remedies used during the 18th Century, Revolutionary War weaponry, the Tocks Island Project and historic cemeteries. Fundraising events range from festivals featuring music, food and games to seasonal bus tours.

The General Store display

The General Store display

The old pot belly stove the center of the General store

The stove of the old General Store

The pot belly stove

Kitchen artifacts

Local artifacts from the Stillwater community

The second floor galleries were broken up into two different sections, Native American and early settler artifacts plus part of the building was once a schoolhouse so the museum also set up a schoolhouse display.

The Lenape Native American display

Native American artifacts

Native American artifacts

This was the old stage of the elementary school now being used to house the Children’s display.

The Children’s Schoolhouse display on the old second floor stage

The other side of the second floor galleries houses clothes, accessories and household goods. The clothing was beautifully displayed.

The second part of the second floor galleries

The back part of the second galleries

It really was an interesting little museum with wonderful artifacts nicely displayed throughout the museum. The museum did a nice job with this.

The Morning clothing display

Day and Evening dresses

Hats and gloves and other accessories

Military outfits and some formal clothing

Farming equipment

Farming equipment

Shoes and sewing items from the turn of the last century

Household items for the turn of the century home

The Town of Stillwater, NJ:

(from the museum pamphlet)

https://www.historicstillwater.org/township-overview

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stillwater_Township,_New_Jersey

Home

Stillwater Township is located in Sussex County, eights miles west of Newton. Its encompasses an area of 28 square miles. Three small villages: Stillwater, Middleville and Swartswood, together with residents now residing in what was only a few years ago a farming community, compete its population of approximately 4,500.

After my tour of the Stillwater Historical Society Museum, I took a walk in the rural downtown of Stillwater, NJ. I felt like I was in a quaint New England village and not twenty miles from Manhattan.

The beautiful Victorian homes

The town was decorated for upcoming Halloween

The General Store restaurant downtown

The farm view from the downtown

The historic sign for the old Casper Shafer farm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casper_Shafer

https://www.sussex.nj.us/585/Casper-Shafer

https://www.facebook.com/groups/HistoricStillwater/permalink/10159716198614329

The original farmhouse decorated for the Halloween holidays

The ghost on their porch

The picturesque farmland

The farm stand in front of the house (on the honor system)

The plant and pumpkin stand on the farm (also on the honor system)

The also had a arranged flower stand with colorful Fall flowers

The back of the old Shafer farm in the Fall

The town was so beautiful and picturesque and it was so much fun just walking around looking at the foliage. It was also a nice way to end my tour on the Sussex County Heritage Tour for the afternoon. I could not believe I was still in New Jersey.

Matchbox Road Museum 15 Pearl Street Newfield, NJ 08344

"A Local Journey: Exploring the outskirts of New York City, Dedication to Warren Watrel, Exploring Historic Gloucester County NJ, Exploring Historic Towns in New Jersey, Exploring Manhattan Block by Block, Exploring New Jersey, Exploring New York City by foot, Exploring Newfield, NJ, Exploring the Island of Manhattan, Exploring the State of New Jersey, Historic New Jersey Towns and Neighborhoods, Historical Towns of New Jersey, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), MywalkinManhattan Experiences, Small Historical Societies in New Jersey, Small museums in New Jersey, Smile! Your Visiting New Jersey!, Uncategorized, Visiting a Museum in New Jersey, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Matchbox Road Museum

15 Pearl Street

Newfield, NJ 08344

(609) 381-2332

https://www.facebook.com/MatchboxRoadMuseum

HOME

Open: Sunday-Friday Closed/Saturday 10:00am-2:00pm or by appointment

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Profile/R4960NKjustinw/mediabatch/14537611?m=19905

The Matchbox Road Museum at 15 Pearl Street

The logo of the museum

I was recently traveling around the Newfield, NJ area, where a small museum dedicated to Matchbox cars was located. I had enjoyed playing with them and collected them when I was little and it sounded fascinating to have a whole museum dedicated to them.

They were not open that day but arranged to visit the museum when I was in the area on my next trip. A few weeks later I arranged a private tour of the museum and got a very interested and detailed tour of the collection, the history of Matchbox cars and the owner of the collection and his collection.

The museum sign at the front of the museum

The rows and rows of cars and trucks

The museum houses one of the most extensive and complete collections of Matchbox cars from not just the collectibles but cars that were part of their promotions in Happy meals and in boxes of Kellogg cereal.

The rows and rows of the collection

The collection also extended out to toys from the company that manufactured the cars from Universal Toys to Tyco Toys to the current owner, Mattel (Wiki.com).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matchbox_(brand)

Matchbox Collector Cars
matchbox

The first car created as part of this vast collection

The collection contained some of the original die cast cars from the first set that were created.

All the cars are so neatly organized

We went row by row and room by room and I was fascinated by the detail and extensive knowledge the docent had on the collection and the history of Matchbox cars. This is a great museum to take kids on just for the sheer collection and for toy collectors who are interesting in Matchbox items.

Our Story, Our Passion

(From the museum website)

The concept of Matchbox Road Museum was formed out of a life-long interest in miniature automotive perfection. The personal collection turned into a well-renowned museum of the preservation of the rare, discontinued and historically important die-cast models. Every item in our assortment symbolizes the art, nostalgia, and cultural impact of the small cars over time.

The inside of the Galley

We think such miniature cars are not just collectibles but narrators of innovations, design and childhood fantasy. By means of professional conservation, careful exhibitions and devotion to authenticity, we give our visitors and collectors an experience that is informative and inspirational.

The Matchbox cars in Happy Meals

The cars available in cereal boxes

The models of Queen Elizabeth II coronation carriages that helped start the company

We have a very easy mission to fulfill, which is to secure the legacy, celebrate the history and make sure these small cars keep on telling big stories in the coming decades.

The Legacy of Matchbox Cars

(From the museum website)

Since its inception in the year 1953, Matchbox cars have changed the way we view toys as well as the toy industry.

They were not only iconic in size but storytelling. Real-world vehicles. Authentic detail. The palm of your hand Dreams at affordable prices.

These small masterpieces attracted the minds of millions of people during decades. Nowadays, they are not just toys, but a part of history, art of engineering, and culture.

We celebrate that tradition at Matchbox Road Museum.

Video on the tour

The museum also has an extensive collection of toys and playthings on display.

Walking around the extensive collections of cars

About the Founder

(From the museum website)

Every great collection begins with a single spark.

A childhood obsession turned into a lifetime goal – retain the heritage of miniature car perfection to the generations to come. The creator of Matchbox Road Museum devoted several decades to the collection of rare, discontinued, and historically important models.

This museum is not constructed using shelves of cars.

It is built on passion. Dedication. Obsession with detail.

And now that heritage open to you is there.

The museum is open for private tours that can be arranged in advance. The tour will take about an hour and you will see a lot. I was taken in by the sheer collection and the walls filled with rows and rows of cars. I really is a fascinating museum.

Day Three Hundred and Ninety-Three Private Members Night-Halloween at the MoMA October 27th, 2026

Dedication to Warren Watrel, Exploring Manhattan, Exploring Manhattan Block by Block, Exploring Midtown Manhattan, Exploring New York City, Exploring New York City by foot, Exploring the Theater District in Manhattan, Historic New Jersey Towns and Neighborhoods, Members Events at the MoMA, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), MywalkinManhattan Experiences, Uncategorized, Visiting a Museum in New York City, Walking around Manhattan, Walking in the Theater District of Manhattan, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It is the week of Halloween in New York City and the Museum of Modern Art opened its door for a Members get together.

The MoMA was haunted on a pre-Halloween Night and members of the museum were looking for a fright!

On October 28th, the Museum of Modern Art held their annual Members Night with a Halloween theme “It’s Alive”. They asked members to dress up and carried the Halloween theme throughout the museum with entertainment, refreshments and art lectures on spooky looking art. It was a fun evening out on a warm October night.

The Costumed guests at the Museum of Modern Art

The guests were greeted at the museum with a DJ playing and a pumpkin carving display being created. On the second floor, there were arts and crafts for adults and children, while a spooky silent film played in a darkened hall. The theme of the evening was “It’s Alive” and the museum came to life with each member arriving.

Members mingling among the ghosts and ghouls and things that go bump in the night

The sign welcoming us for the Members Evening “It’s Alive”

https://www.moma.org

https://www.moma.org/calendar/programs/193

https://www.moma.org/calendar/events/11748

Many of the museums were having their Members Nights before the start of the holidays but nothing beats a night at the MoMA before Halloween night. This was no ordinary night of Trick role Treating at the museum. There was a costumed DJ spinning tunes as we entered and the whole lobby was filled with people in costume.

The lobby was the heart of the party

I love the art in the lobby

There was a pumpkin carving demonstration on the first floor when we walked in

The museum planned an array of activities to enjoy from the DJ spinning to the to the dancing and music on the first floor. Pumpkin carving and artwork to enjoy with our creative side to a spooky silent film to watch and then tour the haunted halls of the museum looking for sinister art. Movies and music on the patio as the sun set and the moon rose in the night sky.

Our directory of the evening

My first stop was the outside patio and it was just beautiful this evening with the weather warm at 65 degrees and such a pleasant night to be outside. The cool weather finally gave way to a warm week leading into Halloween. Surrealist movies were playing on the screen while the Beauty of Midtown lights gleaned in the background.

The patio was busy with people chatting and enjoying the nice weather

My video on the patio

The patio fountains were lit for the evening

I then made my way to the second floor to watch a silent horror film, ‘The Cat and the Canary’

The beginning of the film

The movie in full

The silent film “The Cat and the Canary”

Watching the silent film

The silent film “The Cat and the Canary”

While we were watching the film, the tables were set with play dough and paper to create what inspired us. I created my version of Mr. Bill. It was fun being a kid again!

The table setting our spooky instructions

The spooky instructions

My version of Mr. Bill doing the scream

My creative artwork

After my time with the arts and crafts , I sat down to watch the full film which had lots of twists and turns on it.

I needed a drink after the film was over and with it being Midterms week at work, I really needed one to relax me. I eyed the Blood Orange Margarita and watch it get mixed. They even put a small gummy eye at the bottom of the drink.

The Blood Orange Margarita sounded good after a long week of running around

The margarita looked cute but not for $17.00. I thought it was a bit small with too much ice. The candy eyeball was cute though.

As I was enjoying my drink and listening to the music, the museum laid out trays of Halloween candy like M & M’s and Tootsie rolls, which got devoured quickly. As I walked around the lobby, the main floor turning into a dance floor of witches and ghosts and many costumed characters.

The make shift dance floor on the first floor

The party continued on the first floor

I continued the evening walking the galleries of the Fifth Floor looking for Halloween art. There were talks and tours all night and I joined other members on the Fifth Floor and I found many ‘haunting’ objects in the halls of the MoMA.

Artwork on the Fifth Floor

The spider like Alexander Calder piece

The colorful surreal pieces of the Fifth Floor

A missing mysterious magician

A headless Spector rooming the halls

Colorful art dominating the Fifth floor

The party continued into the later evening with the dance floor going strong.

The costumed characters on the dance floor on the first floor

I took a break from the festivities and relaxed on the patio enjoying the warm night and admiring the lights of Midtown. With everything going on in the world today, the MoMA tricked us in for a real treat at the museum that night.

Relaxing in the patio at the end of the evening

The haunted pools of the patio relaxed me that evening.

All good things come to an end and the museum started to close down by 9:00pm. I could tell many of the party goers did not want to leave but out into the darkness we went only to be treated by the array of lights to Midtown Manhattan.

Looking at the MoMA from a distance down Seventh Avenue

Decorating for Halloween has become a big business and all signs of the Fall were around us. Unfortunately with Halloween on Saturday I was already seeing the signs of Christmas lurking in the background. Designers were putting up pine displays and decorations you could see just waiting for Halloween night to end. Still for tonight, Midtown was a haunting display.

Pumpkins lining an office building on Sixth Avenue

The Fall leaves are falling along the sides of West 55th Street

Looking down 8th Avenue at night

It was fun to walk around the City on this warm October night and enjoy the pre-Halloween festivities. Trick or Treat everyone!

Boo!

Primo Pizza @ Bergen Community College 400 Paramus Road Paramus, NJ 07652

"A Local Journey: Exploring the outskirts of New York City, Bergecco-Parc Consulting Inc. Projects, Dedication to Warren Watrel, Dining on a Shoe String Restaurants in New Jersey, Exploring Historic Bergen County NJ, Exploring Historic Towns in New Jersey, Exploring Manhattan Block by Block, Exploring New York City by foot, Exploring Paramus NJ, Exploring the Island of Manhattan, Exploring the State of New Jersey, Historic New Jersey Towns and Neighborhoods, Historical Towns of New Jersey, Interesting Pizzerias in New Jersey, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), Pizzeria's and Italian Restaurants for the budget-minded, Smile! Your Visiting New Jersey!, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Primo Pizza @ Bergen Community College

400 Paramus Road

Paramus, NJ 07652

(201) 447-7100 (campus main number)

Campus Dining

Open: Sunday Closed/Monday-Thursday 11:00am-7:00pm/Friday 11:00am-2:00pm/Saturday Closed-Based on when the campus is open during the school year.

My review on TripAdvisor:

Primo Pizza on the Bergen Community College Paramus Campus

I teach on the Bergen Community College campus in Paramus, NJ and one of our on campus restaurants, run by American Dining Creations, our on campus vendor, is Primo Pizza on the first floor of our main building.

The pizzeria is extremely popular with our students. The pizza dough was created at the pizzeria and is now being used in all the other outlets run by the company. This has led to a better pizza being made at the pizzeria. The students have rediscovered it and now the lines are getting longer for both lunch and dinner.

The Primo Pizza logo

The afternoon pizza selection at Primo Pizza

The menu is made up with popular menu items with not just the students but the faculty as well. Many of the combos are reasonably priced in comparison to pizzerias in the area and you can do a lot of mixing and matching. This keeps both the students and faculty on campus for dining. The food is delicious.

The reasonable prices

You can order a specialty slice as you would a Cheese pizza as part of the one slice and a soda special which makes a nice meal. The slices are over-sized and one piece of pizza is more than enough for lunch.

The selection of pizza such as Chicken Chili Thai pizza and the Barbecue Bacon Chicken pizza

The Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza and Soda special

I chose the Chicken Bacon Ranch slice, which is an over-sized and makes a nice meal. One slice is more than enough.

A slice of the Chicken Bacon Ranch pizza

The pizza here is so good

The pizzeria has a wonderful selection of creative pizzas that they offer as specials every week. Each of the pizza slices are delicious with wonderful spices and generous toppings. The slice is a meal onto itself.

The Penne Pasta Pizza

The Pizza Margarita with fresh tomatoes

The Meatlovers pizza

The pizzeria also has entree items like Chicken Fingers with French Fries, Chicken Parmesan sandwiches and their wonderful calzones that can be shared by two people.

The Cheese Calzone as one of the afternoon specials

It is a great place to dine at between classes or after the day is done. It is a reason to dine on campus and to make a trip here when visiting Bergen Community College when in Paramus, NJ.

My Introduction to Business Projects: “Breakfast at Primo Pizzeria” for my Spring 2026 classes:

In the Spring semester of 2026, I partnered with American Dining Creations with a simulated student project to create a much needed Breakfast program for the campus entitled, “Breakfast at Primo Pizzeria”. These are the three projects my students created in partnership with American Dining Creations:

My 8:00am Class:

https://mywalkinmanhattan.com/tag/bergecco-parc-consulting-inc-paramus-team

My corporate Team

My 11:00am Class:

Day Three Hundred and Eighty Two Bergecco-Parc Consulting presents “Breakfast at Primo Pizza at Bergen Community College (Late Morning) April 29th, 2026

My Corporate Team

My first Team Project with American Dining Creations: “Feasting at Bergen Community College” promoting the food service operation:

Day Two Hundred and Sixty-Five Bergecco-Parc Consulting Inc. presents: “Feasting at Bergen Community College-Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner” April 26th, 2023

My Corporate Team:

It’s funny how a slice of pizza can inspire a set of corporate projects! That’s how good the food is at Primo Pizza.

Clayton Historical Museum 29 East Avenue Clayton, NJ 08312

"A Local Journey: Exploring the outskirts of New York City, Dedication to Warren Watrel, Exploring Clayton, NJ, Exploring Historic Gloucester County NJ, Exploring Historic Towns in New Jersey, Exploring Manhattan Block by Block, Exploring New York City by foot, Exploring the Island of Manhattan, Exploring the State of New Jersey, Historic New Jersey Towns and Neighborhoods, Historical Towns of New Jersey, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), Small Historical Societies in New Jersey, Small museums in New Jersey, Smile! Your Visiting New Jersey!, Uncategorized, Visiting a Museum in New Jersey, Walking in Clayton NJ, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Clayton Historical Museum

29 East Avenue

Clayton, NJ 08312

(856) 881-3039

https://claytonhistoric.org

https://www.facebook.com/ClaytonHistoric

Open: Sunday-Friday Closed/Saturday 11:00am-1:00pm (every third Saturday)

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Profile/R4960NKjustinw/mediabatch/14542111?m=19905

The Clayton Historical Museum at 29 East Avenue

The sign welcoming you to the museum

The Clayton Historical Museum is the perfect example of a community recording and preserving its past and showing the direction of its future through historical timeline of this town. From its place in glass manufacturing the the cheer of its high school, the museum displays the community pride of Clayton, NJ.

It shows how small towns all over New Jersey can preserve their past while still being part of the community at large. Each of the rooms in the museum displays a part of the community and its progression through time.

The first small gallery is dedicated to the uniformed forces that help protect this small community, the majority of the second gallery is dedicated to the glassworks business that once dominated the area and the back gallery displays its community with schools, the business district and the continuation of the glassworks.

The docents and volunteers give you the freedom to walk around but time is limited because the museum is only open for two hours a month plus special events happening in the town.

The History of the Museum:

(From the Museum website)

Clayton Historic Preservation collects personal papers, local business and organization records, photographs, early maps, genealogies, church histories, family Bibles, historic books, newspapers, artifacts and so much more.

The Veteran’s Exhibition in the middle of the museum

Our museum’s archives showcases the heritage and culture of Clayton, allowing visitors to explore and appreciate the town’s fascinating journey. Clayton Historic Museum is a guardian of the borough’s rich heritage, offering visitors a journey through its exhibits and displays (Clayton Historical Society pamphlet).

The entrance hall to the museum

The church artifacts in the first entrance gallery

The Clayton Historic Museum fosters a sense of pride and appreciation for Clayton’s past by preserving artifacts, documenting stories and engaging the community. CHP invites residents and visitors to explore, learn and connect with the borough’s history.

As a testament to the borough’s commitment to preserving its unique identity, CHP is creating an enduring legacy for future generations(Clayton Historical Society pamphlet).

The front gallery dedicated to the town’s First Responders:

The front gallery of Clayton Fire and EMS displays

The Clayton Police and Fire Department displays

The Clayton Police display

The middle gallery is dedicated to the glassworks businesses:

The middle gallery

The glass making industry was a majority of the work force at the turn of the last century and shows New Jersey’s craftsmanship over the years.

The glass milk bottles showing the areas both dairy and glass bottle industries of the past

The back gallery contained a lot of Clayton’s manufacturing and retail history

The glassworks history in the community run deep

The Clayton Glass Works factory at the turn of the last century

Decorative glass was one of its specialties

Creative glass works are part of the extensive collection at the museum

The everyday decorative items were made right here in New Jersey

The main part of the gallery discusses and displays how important the glass industry was to the community and the creativity of the artisans.

The display of the glass blowers chair and the time and effort once part of this craft

The glass blowers chair on display

The museum’s exhibits offer an overview of Clayton’s history, covering various aspects such as industry, agriculture, transportation and daily life.

Collections from The local Clayton High School

The Clayton, NJ local business district businesses

Through an assortment of photgraphs and documents, visitors can explore the Borough’s development.

The beautiful decorative glass on display

The Clayton High School display showing small town pride

The progression of the telephone

The antique Victrola got its start in the Edison labs here in New Jersey

The exhibits provide a deeper understanding of Clayton’s past, fostering an appreciation for the borough’s heritage.

A clipping from the Salem Oak in Salem, NJ is in the yard behind the museum

The Mission Statement of the Museum:

(From the Museum website)

• Acquire and preserve documents, records and relics of the Borough of Clayton, Gloucester County and the State of New Jersey

• Encourage the protection and preservation of the historical landmarks and points of interest

Furnish historical information and documentation to the Borough

• Partner with Clayton Special Events and neighboring Preservation Associations to exchange and display historical related information, documents and artifacts

The middle gallery of the museum’s extensive glassworks collection

Remember that the museum is only open from 11:00am-1:00pm the third Saturday of the month so plan your trip to museum accordingly.

Nathan Cooper Gristmill 66 Route 24 Chester, NJ 07930

"A Local Journey: Exploring the outskirts of New York City, Dedication to Warren Watrel, Exploring Chester NJ, Exploring Historic Morris County, NJ, Exploring Historic Towns in New Jersey, Exploring Manhattan Block by Block, Exploring New Jersey, Exploring New York City by foot, Exploring the Island of Manhattan, Historic New Jersey Towns and Neighborhoods, Historical Towns of New Jersey, Morris County NJ "Pathways to History" Tour, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), Pathways Tour of Morris County, Small Historical Societies in New Jersey, Small museums in New Jersey, Smile! Your Visiting New Jersey!, Uncategorized, Visiting a Museum in New Jersey, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Nathan Cooper Gristmill

66 Route 24

Chester, NJ 07930

(908) 879-5463

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_Cooper_Gristmill

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nathan%20Cooper%20Gristmill/495480777136425/#

Cooper Gristmill

Open: Sunday 10:00am-3:00pm/Monday-Thursday Closed/Friday 10:00am-4:00pm/Saturday Closed

Admission: $5.00 for everyone for everyone taking the tour; For special events it might be a different fee. Walking around the grounds is free.

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g46355-d10355549-r1076722884-Nathan_Cooper_Gristmill-Chester_Morris_County_New_Jersey.html?m=19905

The location of the Cooper Gristmill:

(from the Cooper Gristmill website)

Located on 14 acres along the Black River, the Gristmill is the only restored water-powered mill in New Jersey and is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. It’s a living example of the state’s transition from an agricultural to an industrial economy. Costumed staff lead guided tours of the mill, running restored machinery to harness the power of the Black River to grind grains, using two sets of massive 2,000-pound mills

The Nathan Cooper Gristmill

The sign welcoming you to the site

I spent an afternoon walking the grounds of the Nathan Cooper Gristmill after a trip to Hacklebarney Park and was able to tour the outside of the mill and the pathways around the property.

The historic sign welcoming you to the site

The front of the mill building

The front of the old mill had been decorated for the “250th Anniversary” of the nation and the grounds were really beautiful. The mill lined the Black River in the back of it and the lawns were filled with lush trees. The mill was not open for the day but you could walk around the grounds.

The Washington Turnpike historic sign

The front grounds and the water pump

The water pump marker in the front of the building

The water pumps at the front of the mills were closed off at this point but must have been used as a water source for the people working there at the time.

The stairway to the back of the mill

The pump by the front of the stairs

The back of the building is where the water wheel is located by the Black River water source. When I took the tour later the next month, the tour guide showed me how it worked. The mill is still a functioning mill and they still do produce flour for sale but on a limited basis.

The waterwheel that moved all the equipment inside

The Waterwheel and the water source to power it

The waterwheel

The history of the Water Wheel:

The Fitz water wheel was made in 1927 for a mill in Pennsylvania that burned down before it could be installed. It was then purchased for a mill in Pottersville, NJ in 1935 and powered until 1955. In 1974, the wheel was donated to the Morris County Park Commission and moved to the Cooper Gristmill (Cooper Gristmill pamphlet).

The video of the waterwheel working:

The historic sign on the waterwheel and the water source

The pathway to the Black River and the trails

The back trails of the gristmill have the most beautiful views of the river and the steams around the property. At the end of the Summer of 2026, it offers the most amazing views of the grounds. All the trees were still in bloom and the trails take you far back into the park. I just walked to the river stream and looked at the small waterfalls. This was the water source that powered the mill.

The historic sign on the Black River

The grounds and paths along the river are really picturesque but watch the paths when the paths are wet. It can be a muddy experience.

The Black River from the trails

The Black River water source

Video of my walk along the river:

The history of the Cooper Gristmill:

(from the site pamphlet)

A gristmill was apparently built at this site in the early 1700’s by the first Europeans to settle the Chester area. Records show that is was offered for sale in 1761. Later in the 18th century, it was owned by Ellis Howell. The property was purchased by Nathan Cooper in 1825 and then Cooper rebuilt the mill in 1826, since the original structure had been damaged by an earlier fire. This is the mill building that remains standing.

Following the death of Nathan Cooper in 1826, the mill was passed to his nephew, Nathan A. Cooper. The younger Cooper, who became one of Chester’s wealthiest and most important citizens, owned the mill property until his death in 1879.

Mills were built at close intervals. In 1832, the town of Chester reported five sawmills and three gristmills. Surrounding these mills were small settlements that developed followed by good roads so that the farmers could haul their grain to the site. Soon it was followed by a blacksmith shop and a general store. This was the beginning of the town of Milltown, later called “Milldale”.

Once in the forefront of technology and economic progress, village gristmills had become largely obsolete by the end of the 19th century. By then, milling had become a vast factory enterprise and the dynamic railroad system made it possible to ship grain and flour over great distances. No longer the bustling centers of activity, mills like the Cooper Gristmill came to be viewed as relics of a bucolic past.

In modern times and now restored, the mill once again hums with activity. The water wheel has been replaced and some of the mill’s mechanical equipment has been put back into place and now operates. In the place of farmers with wagon loads of grain, busses filled with school children arrive to see the millstones once again grinding flour. Cooper Gristmill and the Village of Milltown are good examples of the many small agricultural and industrial communities that once dotted the landscape of Morris County, NJ.

The back pathway to the front of the site

The first floor:

When I toured the facility a week later when the museum was open, I got a glimpse inside the mill’s past and how it was the economic engine of the area during Colonial times. The inside of the mill was in working shape and was still being used to produce flour when in season.

The first floor of the mill

The inside entrance to the mill on the first floor with the fireplace to the left and the millstones to the right. The stairs led to three floors of the workings of the mills from grinding to bagging and shipping of the flour produced by local wheat.

The inside framework of the mill in the process of milling wheat

The large gears that made these rocks special waterwheel work that harnessed the Black River power source. The river and lake that have been dammed are across the street.

The millstones for the grinding of wheat

The millstones on the first floor of the mill

The millstones used to process flour

The second floor:

The second floor of the mill displays contain the office of the manage of the mill, the flour separating area for the grades of flour and the old bagging area of the flour product for shipping.

The recreation of the manager’s office

The milling and bagging area

The flour processing machine

The flour grade sorting machine is off to the left. The machine would sort the grades of flour based on the weight and bulk.

The machines processing and sorting the milled wheat

Pieces of millstones

Pieces of the millstones used in the production. The pieces would be shipped individually and then assembled when they arrived at the mills because of their sheer weight.

The attic room

The Attic:

The attic was the last part of the tour and where a lot of the inner workings of the mill were located. Just watch your head.

The Visitors Center:

When I finished the inside tour of the mill museum, I returned to the Visitors Center with the tour guide where a small museum on historic Morris County and the county’s rural past and development was displayed.

The small museum inside the Visitors Center

The inside of the museum tells the story of the development of Morris County, NJ

The small gift shop inside the museum

After the tour of the inside of the mill and museum was over, I explored the grounds of the property and admired the foliage. I decided to explore the power source of the mill on the advice of the tour guide who was preparing to close up for the day.

The grounds of the mill building and the beautiful surrounding foliage

The tunnel under the road taking you to the damned river and the lake on the other side of the road.

The video of the walk through the tunnel:

The path underneath the tunnel lead to the lake that was the original and still the power source to the mill. It still makes the water wheel run and is its source of power.

The lake and the waterfall are the source of power for the mill

The Water source of the Cooper Gristmill:

(from the Cooper Gristmill site pamphlet)

Unlike the electric machinery of today. the water powered gristmill drew upon the natural environment for its power. The miller chose a location close to a water course that has a drop in elevation. A dam was built to form a pond that would store the water needed to power the mill even in the dry summer months.

A sturdy building was required to support the water wheel and its associated machinery. The water was brought from the pond in a wooden trough, headrace or flume. The height from which the water would fall when it reached the mill was called the ‘head’. It determined the amount of power that could be generated. A tailrace carried the water away from the wheel and returned it to the stream. The turning shaft of the water wheel transferred its mechanical power into the mill. The gears and belts then transmitted the power throughout the building. The four sets of millstones at the Cooper Gristmill originally required two water wheels to operate.

The mill was often the social center of an agricultural community and the miller was a community leader. The miller lived nearby in order to attend to the constant stream of customers and keep his machinery in good order.

The beautiful foliage on this side of the road

I walked through the pathway and looked into the pond to see the small waterfalls in the distance. The foliage colors on the background of the water was quite spectacular.

The Visitors Center and the mill complex from the other side of the road

It was a very interesting visit to see part of New Jersey’s manufacturing past and how it was still being utilized in the present. The tour guide explained that at certain times of the year, they still mill flour and sell it to the public.

So it is still a working mill in production and you can still see that production in the warmer months. You can also buy the finished product on premise.

Not only is it an interesting tour but the surrounding foliage in the Fall is breathtaking. It really was a fascinating tour of New Jersey’s past.

Take you time and enjoy the paths and trails around the mill building

In the whole time I toured the gristmill did the tour guide say the place was haunted. I never saw or felt anything but according to many videos, the place is haunted.

The Ghost Investigation

Franklin Heritage Museum 95 Main Street Franklin, NJ 07416

"A Local Journey: Exploring the outskirts of New York City, Dedication to Warren Watrel, Exploring Franklin, NJ, Exploring Historic Sussex County NJ, Exploring Historic Towns in New Jersey, Exploring Manhattan Block by Block, Exploring New Jersey, Exploring New York City by foot, Exploring the Island of Manhattan, Exploring the State of New Jersey, Historic New Jersey Towns and Neighborhoods, Historical Towns of New Jersey, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), Small Historical Societies in New Jersey, Small museums in New Jersey, Smile! Your Visiting New Jersey!, Sussex County Heritage Weekend, Uncategorized, Visiting a Museum in New Jersey, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Franklin Heritage Museum

95 Main Street

Franklin, NJ 07416

(973) 827-3481

https://www.westmilfordmessenger.com/entertainment/new-exhibits-on-display-at-franklin-heritage-museum-YTWM20060518305189997

Open: Seasonal please check the website

Admission: Free but donations are appreciated

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g46449-d34737427-r1081595818-Franklin_Heritage_Museum_Franklin_Historical_Society-Franklin_New_Jersey.html?m=19905

The Franklin Heritage Museum at 95 Main Street

During the Annual Sussex County Heritage Weekend, one of the first stops I made was to the Franklin Heritage Museum in Downtown Franklin, NJ. The museum was the house in one of the offices of the mining company. The museum was a glimpse into community’s mining past and how it shaped this area of the State of New Jersey.

The museum sign out front

The museum building was the old New Jersey Zinc Company ‘Time Office’. This meant that the miners had to punch into their shift at the mine through this building. The old turnstile is to the right of the building.

History of the Franklin Historical Society:

(From the museum pamphlet)

The Franklin Historical Society was organized and incorporated in September 1996 as a non-profit all volunteer education association. It was founded to preserve the heritage of the Franklin Borough to create awareness of both the County and Borough of Franklin and its rich history of culture and ethnic heritage.

The Historical Society’s Museum is located at 95 Main Street in the historic Franklin Mill complex of the former New Jersey Zinc Company.

The Heritage Museum was opened to the public in April 1997 and its displays include:

Iron and Zinc Mining

Railroads

Franklin’s Churches and Schools

Franklin’s Local History

The sign for the old New Jersey Zinc Company ‘Time Office’ historical sign

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horsehead_Corporation

https://digital.sciencehistory.org/works/joj5gje

The history of the Franklin Mine and its place in New Jersey history

The smaller gallery off to the side of the building concentrates on the history of the NJ Mining industry and the many mining areas in Sussex County.

The room contains all sorts of artifacts related to the industry including both pictures and everyday equipment.

The pictures of all the miners at the company

The Mining Gallery

The Mining Gallery with equipment and artifacts for a day of working in the mines

Artifacts from home and work

This gallery was in transition with the volunteers working on the displays. This side of the museum with be on the local NJ Zinc Mine Company and its history.

The main gallery in the old Main Office space

The main gallery of the museum has a mixture of more mining artifacts and town objects that cover the history of the town.

The ‘250th Anniversary exhibition of the town and its mining past

For the ‘250th Celebration’ of our country, the museum created an interesting display of the formation of the community around the mining industry to its growth today.

The Mining and Equipment display

Community artifacts

Pictures of the police and fire department’s in this small mining community

https://www.franklintwpnj.org/departments/police-department

https://www.facebook.com/FranklinBoroughPolice

https://www.franklinfd.org

https://www.franklinborough.org/index.php/public-safety/fire-department

The main gallery display

Mining equipment in the display

The museum’s main emphasis is on the development of the mining industry both its early development up until when the mines closed in the 1980’s. The display above is on the early mining tools used by the workers.

The Mineral display

What I found interesting was all the minerals that are on display and the glow in the dark components that make these rocks special. When the lights go out, the true magic begins.

The old turnstile to enter the mining compound before the start of the shift

The back of the museum behind the fencing and the weeds, is the entrance to the old mines. Both the entrance building and entrance to the mine has been closed off for years but you can still see behind the fencing. This is the old turnstile off to the side of the building where the miners entered the complex.

Across the street from the museum is the old Hungarian Reformed Church, which is planned to be renovated.

The sign for the church

The old Hungarian church

Down the road from the downtown area where the museum is located is the Franklin Furnace Park, which is a beautiful picturesque park situated around a lake.

The historic sign for the Franklin Furnace Park

https://www.franklintwpnj.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/60/2554

All along the highway facing the park and in the park itself was the most beautiful and colorful foliage. Plan to visit the park after the museum for a colorful and relaxing break.

The foliage around the park in early October

The lake view of the park from the highway

The views from every angle of the park are breathtaking.

The view from inside the park and the footbridge to the island

The view of the park from south of the park

A view of the islands in the park

A view of the islands and the foliage

The islands and the foliage in the beginning part of October

The small center pine island

Traveling back down the road back to Route 23 South to continue my tour of museums

The view of the islands to the north in the lake

The view of the lakes from the south

The view of the foliage from the south

For a small town, Franklin offered such an interesting look at this part of New Jersey’s mining past and its transition from a mining industry to tourism based around the mines. The series of museums and cultural sites offers so much for visitors to see and experience.

A start at the Franklin Heritage Museum offers a glimpse into that past and as the museum keeps developing their exhibits will tell that story to visitors.

My Life as a Fireman: The Bergen County Firemen’s Home Association: October Meeting and Entertainment October 18th, 2026

"A Local Journey: Exploring the outskirts of New York City, Bergen County Firemen's Home Association, Brothers of Engine One HHFD, Dedication to Warren Watrel, Exploring Boonton, NJ, Exploring Historic Morris County, NJ, Exploring Historic Towns in New Jersey, Exploring Manhattan Block by Block, Exploring New Jersey, Exploring New York City by foot, Exploring the Island of Manhattan, Exploring the State of New Jersey, Fire Fighting in Bergen County NJ, Historic New Jersey Towns and Neighborhoods, Historical Towns of New Jersey, My life as a Fireman Justin Watrel, My life as a Fireman: FF Justin Watrel, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), Smile! Your Visiting New Jersey!, Uncategorized, Walking in Downtown Boonton, NJ, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

On a very sunny and warm Fall day, the Bergen County Firemen’s Home Association met for our October meeting.

The beautiful foliage of Morris County, NJ on the way to the home that morning

There was a lot to discuss with the upcoming Christmas holidays approaching with our popular Christmas party to plan. We discussed the entertainment and the gift chosen by the Home’s Resident Executive Board. We also discussed the membership and staff lunch that has been so popular over the last few years.

The foliage in Mortis County that morning

Our fundraising has been on plan and fire companies all over Bergen County have been so supportive to the organization. Their donations have made a big difference in our efforts to make the residences of the home feel remembered.

We talked about recruiting and membership as our organization needs new members to come on board so that we can keep the traditions of the organization going into the future. We talked about different ways to attract members through Social Media. I had discussed much of this at the recent Caucus Meeting in August in front of the Bergen County delegation.

The home was decorated for the Fall and Halloween activities that were happening this month.

The NJ Firemen’s Home decorated for the Fall holidays

After the meeting, we joined the residents of the home for the afternoon entertainment and refreshments in the main room of the home.

Singer Gigi entertained the crowd that afternoon on a stage decorated for Halloween

We were joined by singer, Gigi, who is a crowd favorite, who sang a mixture of pop, contemporary and country music to the crowd. It was a really great concert.

We had so much fun that afternoon

Gigi entertaining the crowd with the song “Love Train”

Here is Gigi’s business card and information to contact her if you like the video’s:

If you like the songs and concert, here is Gigi Onofrio’s contact information. We have such great afternoon concerts up at the home and the residents love her.

On the break from the Entertainment, the members got up and thanked the residents for their support and that we hoped they and their families had enjoyed the recent barbecues over the Summer. These were so popular with everyone who attended.

The members of the Bergen County Firemen’s Home Association at the October Meeting

Before the Entertainment ended, we took our traditional group picture and thanked everyone again for their support of our organization. It was another productive meeting and we look forward to another wonderful breakfast at the Wyckoff Firehouse for our November meeting.

If you would like to make a donation to our organization, please send it to:

BCFHA

C/O Jeff Parma

277 Harriott Avenue

Harrington Park, NJ 07640

Please make the checks out to the Bergen County Firemen’s Home Association

Our 2026 Meeting Schedule:

All our meetings at the home start at 12:00pm at the NJ State Firemen’s Home in Boonton, NJ:

December 6th (Annual Christmas Party)

A big “Thank you” from The Bergen County Firemen’s Home Association Executive Board 2026

Twin Kiss Drive Inn 25 South Delsea Drive Clayton, NJ 08312

"A Local Journey: Exploring the outskirts of New York City, Dedication to Warren Watrel, Dining on a Shoe String Restaurants in New Jersey, Exploring Clayton, NJ, Exploring Historic Gloucester County NJ, Exploring Historic Towns in New Jersey, Exploring Manhattan Block by Block, Exploring New Jersey, Exploring New York City by foot, Exploring the Island of Manhattan, Exploring the State of New Jersey, Historic New Jersey Towns and Neighborhoods, Historical Towns of New Jersey, Hot Dog, Hamburger & Fries for the budget minded., Interesting Ice Cream Shops, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), Sandwich and Deli's for the budget minded, Uncategorized, Walking in Clayton NJ, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Twin Kiss Drive Inn

25 South Delsea Drive

Clayton, NJ 08312

(856) 881-8511

https://www.ilovetwinkiss.com/specials

https://www.facebook.com/TwinkissClayton

https://www.claytonnj.com/1496/Twin-Kiss-Drive-In

Open: Sunday-Thursday 11:00am-10:00pm/Friday-Saturday 11:00am-11:00pm

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Profile/R4960NKjustinw/mediabatch/14543463?m=19905

The Twin Kiss Drive Inn at 25 South Delsea Drive in Clayton , NJ

The restaurant has been around since 1955 and one of those classic restaurants in New Jersey

During the Firemen’s Convention and on a more recent trip to South Jersey, I had passed by Twin Kiss, a local family restaurant in Downtown Clayton, NJ. It was one of those family chain restaurants that kept its identity even after the rest of the chain folded.

I loved the menu and stopped for ice cream as a snack to continue on with my journey. I planned on coming back for lunch the next time I returned to the area.

When I came back a month later to visit a series of museums in the area for my blog, I stopped for lunch and enjoyed a delicious meal. I love these little places on the back roads. The food is wonderful and the service is personable and friendly.

History of Twin Kiss Drive Inn:

(from the Clayton Historical Museum website)

https://www.facebook.com/ClaytonHistoric

Twin Kiss Drive In, at 25 S. Delsea Drive, has been a CLAYTON icon since 1955 when George W. and Mary Lillian “Lilly” Kasper opened the ice cream franchise. The couple borrowed $5,000.00 and bought into the brand-new Twin Kiss franchise (Photo 1 & 2), opening several locations throughout Pennsylvania, coming to CLAYTON opening that stand on May 19, 1955 .

In 1959, when Twin Kiss developed a sandwich unit, Lilly joined George full time, and they worked side by side for over 40 years. They ran it for 46 years until retiring in 2001. New owners, John and Stacey Chamberlin (Photo 5), took over in 2001.

Twin Kiss Drive Inn and their Mission Statement:

(from the restaurant website)

Welcome to Twin Kiss Drive-In, a beloved local staple in Clayton, New Jersey, where great food and classic drive-in charm come together.

Proudly owned and operated by Stacy and John Chamberlain, Twin Kiss Drive-In is built on a simple idea: serve quality food, create a welcoming atmosphere, and give the community a place to gather and enjoy. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick bite, bringing the family for a casual night out, or reliving a bit of nostalgia, Twin Kiss offers an experience that feels both timeless and uniquely local.

For years, Twin Kiss has been known for its friendly service, classic American favorites, and that unmistakable drive-in vibe. Stacy and John are hands-on owners who take pride in maintaining the tradition while continuing to make the space feel fresh, inviting, and community-focused.

More than just a place to eat, Twin Kiss Drive-In is a part of Clayton’s story—a spot where memories are made, from summer nights and after-game stops to everyday moments worth savoring. We’re grateful to be part of this community and look forward to serving you.

The front of the restaurant

The ice cream and dessert menu

The sandwich and sub menu

The delicious Salted Caramel with Pretzel Ice Cream I had that day and this was a small!

Driving through on a recent visit, I stopped for lunch and had a craving for a cheesesteak. So I ordered a Fat Cheese steak with Wiz, a side of fries and a Vanilla Malted. It was a wonderful lunch on a cool day.

My lunch

The Cheesesteak is made of steakems with long thin slices of beef with a generous portion of Cheese Wiz on a soft chewy roll. It was delicious. The perfect comfort food.

The Cheesesteak with Wiz

The Cheesesteak was so good!

The French fries were freshly made and were hot and crisp and served in a over-sized bag.

The fresh French Fries

The Vanilla Malted is made with vanilla ice cream that is made on premise. It was thick creamy and delicious.

The Vanilla Malted

The malted Vanilla Milkshake was so rich and creamy.

The freshly made Vanilla ice cream really make the milkshake

Later that afternoon after visiting all the museum sites that I had wanted to see and finishing my work, I returned to Twin Kiss for dessert.

I went through the listing of ice cream flavors and could not decide, so I got a medium sundae and chose three flavors, Double Chocolate Fudge, Birthday Cake and Strawberry Cheesecake.

I loved the way they served their ice cream

They layered the ice creams one on top of the other creating a colorful treat. All their ice is made on premise and the ice cream was rich, dense and sweet.

Each one dug into the next flavor giving them a complex taste

The combination of the Strawberry Cheesecake and the Birthday Cake with their pieces of cake and sweet frostings made for an extra rich dessert

The restaurant will be closing on November 15th for the season not reopening until the end of March so you have to visit soon.

Watching the sun start to set at the restaurant that day

The end of the summer roses on the fence in the back parking lot

Twin Kiss with its reasonable and limited but homey menu is the restaurant that every community wishes it had. It is the perfect family restaurant.

Morgan Farm & Museum/Cedar Grove Historical Society 903 Pompton Avenue Cedar Grove, NJ 07009

"A Local Journey: Exploring the outskirts of New York City, Dedication to Warren Watrel, Exploring Cedar Grove, NJ, Exploring Farms and Farm Stands, Exploring Farms in Passaic County, NJ, Exploring Historic Passaic County, NJ, Exploring Historic Towns in New Jersey, Exploring Manhattan Block by Block, Exploring New Jersey, Exploring New York City by foot, Exploring the Island of Manhattan, Exploring the State of New Jersey, Historic New Jersey Towns and Neighborhoods, Historical Towns of New Jersey, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), Small museums in New Jersey, Smile! Your Visiting New Jersey!, Uncategorized, Visiting a Museum in New Jersey, Visiting Farms and Farm Stands of New Jersey, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Morgan Farm & Museum/Cedar Grove Historical Society

903 Pompton Avenue

Cedar Grove, NJ 07009

(973) 239-5414

https://www.cedargrovehistoricalsociety.com/history

https://www.facebook.com/MorgansFarmAndMuseum

Open: Sunday-Friday Closed/Saturday 1:00pm-4:00pm (Seasonal-please check the Society’s website)

Admission: Free but a donation is always appreciated. The Society also sells honey as a fundraising.

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g46348-d27047094-r1080403752-Morgan_s_Farm-Cedar_Grove_New_Jersey.html?m=19905

The Morgan Farmhouse at the Morgan Farm Museum, the headquarters of the Cedar Grove Historical Society

The museum sign just off Route 23 South

The farm property the day of the Fall Pumpkin & Apple sale and Open House

I recently visited the Morgan Farm and Museum one Saturday afternoon in the Fall and was surprised to find that they were hosting their Annual Pumpkin & Apple Sale, which has been a tradition on the property since the last owners of the farm, the Morgan family did this every Fall.

It was a lot of fun. The Society members were selling pumpkins and apples, baked goods like Cider doughnuts and cookies (completely sold out by the time I got there), Apple Cider and clothing products. On the farm land there was a petting zoo, picture taking by the Pumpkin Patch and tours of the house. The tour of the house was very interesting in that their docents to assist you on each floor to explain the family dynamic. It was a wonderful afternoon and a enjoyable family event.

The sign of Route 23 South for the Pumpkin & Apple Sale

The History of the Pumpkin and Apple Sale at the Morgan Farm Museum:

(from the museum pamphlet)

Each year the Cedar Grove Historical Society holds a Pumpkin and Apple Sale in honor of Edith Morgan and her son Courtenay Morgan. In the Fall of each year, the Morgan’s sold pumpkins and apples in the front of the Morgan farmhouse. The pumpkins were grown on the farm but the apples came from northern New Jersey. Mrs. Morgan passed away in 1961 but Courtenay, the last farmer in Cedar Grove, continued the tradition until his death in 1985 at the age of 86. The Historical Society continues that tradition each October.

Courtenay left his property to the Township of Cedar Grove with the stipulations that the Township create a park for passive recreation and that the Historical Society create a museum to preserve the history of Cedar Grove. Our pumpkins and apples are from the Chester area. Today the Historical Society’s home is the Morgan Museum located in the Morgan farmhouse. The Township created the J. Courtenay Morgan Park on the property.

The farm’s old barn now used as a meeting place and gift shop

History of the Morgan’s Farm and Museum:

(from the Museum pamphlet)

The Cedar Grove Historical Society welcomes you to Morgan’s Farm & Museum and the Canfield-Morgan House. The guide explains why Morgan’s Farm is unique and leads you to points of interest that you may want to explore.

The Morgan’s Farm is a fourteen acre site that was farmed continuously from the mid-1800’s until 1985. In 1985, Courtenay Morgan donated the farm to the Township of Cedar Grove. This portion of the farm is a park managed by the Township while the farmhouse and other buildings are operated as a museum and education center by the Cedar Grove Historical Society.

The Cedar Grove Historical Society maintains a wonderful collection of agricultural tools and equipment that reflect farming methods over a period of one hundred years. Items on display in the Canfield-Morgan House includes letters, photographs, clothing, furniture and other objects that show us how people lived during the early 1900’s.

The Family History:

(from the Museum pamphlet)

Benjamin Canfield built the farmhouse sometime around 1845 for his family. The Canfields were typical, hardworking farmers who were respected for the quality of their produce. They grew corn, apples, melons and other crops which they sold in the Newark and Paterson markets. The Canfield family farmed the land until 1910 when James and Edith Morgan bought the property James Morgan was an advertising executive who commuted by rail to New York City.

Mr. Morgan was passionate about farming and he worked hard to learn the latest farming methods. he experimented with the different types of crops until tuberculosis took his life in 1920. After Mr. Morgan died, Edith and her son, Courtenay struggled to keep the farm operating. They were well known locally for the vegetable and fruit stand they operated off the front porch.

Long before the Canfield and Morgan families lived here, the Lenape Indians used the site as temporary camp. Courtenay Morgan found many Native American tools as he plowed the fields. These artifacts are now preserved by the Cedar Grove Historical Society. A portion of the Lenape Trail passes through Morgan’s Farm.

The front parking lot of the farm property and the Pumpkin Patch

The inside Barn gift shop was selling apples, pumpkins, gourds, apple cider and doughnuts. By the time I got there, there was not much left. The Society even sells their own honey.

The barn from across the gardens near the farmhouse

The History of the Barn:

(from the Museum pamphlet)

The barns that you see behind the Canfield-Morgan House today were reconstructed by the Cedar Grove Historical Society in 1994 because they were had badly deteriorated. While the center of the barn is not as high as it once was, it has its original foundation and looks much like it did in 1910. This barn was probably used to house livestock at one time. On the west side of the main barn is a structure that once was a carriage house with a small apartment on the second floor for hired help. At some point, possibly in 1911, the second floor was removed. The shed on the east side was used to shelter livestock and later to store farm machinery.

There was all sorts of fun activities for families and especially the kids with a Pumpkin Patch, games and a Petting Zoo plus tours of the house.

The Pumpkin Guessing game

https://www.facebook.com/MorgansFarmAndMuseum

The entrance to the Pumpkin Patch offered kids a chance to take pictures and pick the perfect pumpkin to make a Jack O Lantern

The Pumpkin Patch was perfect for picture taking

The pumpkin decorations in the Pumpkin Patch

The were plenty of places where the kids could take pictures with all sorts of characters of ghosts and ghouls and things that go bump in the night

Halloween is on its way

I loved the small Petting Zoo that they had set up. There was a baby cow, a baby pig, ducks and chickens.

The Petting Zoo

The baby cow was really friendly

The ducks were walking around their pen

The baby pig ran around his pen as well

The highlight of the afternoon was touring the old Morgan Farmhouse, which was furnished with family antiques and heirlooms, plus artifacts from the community of Cedar Grove, NJ.

The back of the house facing the barn

The History of the House and Barn:

The Canfield-Morgan House looks much like it did after Benjamin Canfield finished building it in the mid-1800’s. The modern kitchen and the accessible porch and bathroom are the most visible changes. The size and character of the house are typical of a traditional farmhouse. The features of the French windows in the front parlor and a wide entrance hall suggest that the Canfield’s were interested in current fashion and design of homes. A cistern under the kitchen floor stored water that was collected in gutters and piped into the cistern.

The gardens have many flowers such as daylilies, akebia, peonies, roses and quince that were planted by Edith Morgan and continued to bloom in the garden. The Morgan family added pergolas to the garden in 1911 and grew honeysuckle to cover them.

The fields of the farm is a variety of crops were planted in fields east of the park and south of the farmhouse. Crops included everything from tomatoes to pumpkins and apples. The Canfield family grew corn on what is now the front lawn. While these crops are no longer grown on Morgan’s Farm, the fields remain open space.

The Cedar Grove Historical Society sign on entering the house

The entrance to the house through the main hallway. The original part of the house was built in the 1700’s with an addition which added these rooms in the mid 1800’s. This is the newer side of the house.

The tour of the house was on my own but there were plenty of docents from the Society to explain each room. There were all sorts family furnishings and heirlooms of the Morgan family that were donated when this became a museum. The Society keeps the home in immaculate shape and its looks like the family still lives here and off for the day, letting us see a glimpse into their home.

The Living Room/Music Room

The corner of the Living Room and Music Room

Mr. Morgan’s desk in the home

The antique musical instruments in the collection

The Cedar Grove Music Association in 1900

The Morgan family photos from the family’s private collection, now part of the museum

The Morgan family portrait

Gail Morgan Chandler as a young girl

The Reception and Recreation Room next to the Living Room

Some of the family decorative pieces on display

Across the hall from the Living Room is the Dining Room that displays the home’s baking and serving pieces and some of the family China.

The Dining Room of the farmhouse

You can also see how the fireplace served as not just conversation but as the heat source as being part of the original section of the home.

The Morgan Dining Room

The formally set Dining Room table

The fireplace was the source of heat on the original 1700’s section of the home

Family baking and cooking equipment on display in the Dining Room

Family China and serving pieces on display in the Dining Room

Along the stairs on the way to the seconds floor is lined with all sorts of family and community artifacts.

The stairs to the second floor

The library in the house and a display of hats at the staircase landing

The second floor contained these rooms bedrooms and the museum offices , which were located in the old bedroom loft of the original 1700’s house.

Mr. and Mrs. Morgan’s bedroom at the end of the hall

Mrs. Morgan’s bedroom vanity with some personal items from the Morgan family

Mrs. Morgan’s desk

A small doll by the bed

Mr. James W. Morgan

Mrs. Edith Louise Potter-Morgan

The Morgan children when they were young

The second bedroom was being used as a gallery for local artifacts either found or donated from Cedar Grove. This included old pictures of buildings and homes in the community, Native American artifacts, clothing and uniforms and everyday items.

The second floor Artifact Gallery

The display of local artifacts

The Native American display

Display of local artifacts

Artwork by local artists

The pictures of local hospitals and medical centers

The pictures of local historical houses

When I was through touring the house, I went back outside to join the rest of the visitors, who were picking out pumpkins on the lawn.

The back part of the estate

What I like about the Morgan Farm Museum is that it is not just about walking around an old house, it is about experiencing someone’s life story.

I also got to see how the community of Cedar Grove grew from the farming community it once was to the bedroom community of New York City it is today.

The Morgan family dealt with quite a blow with the death of Mr. Morgan but is son took control and built the farm up to what the museum it is today. A living breathing example of turn of the last century ingenuity and determination and created a successful business that we can all share in today.