As New Jersey begins to reopen, please find below information about historic sites’ schedules, protocols, and dates for reopening to the public. We strongly encourage visitors to check directly with historic sites before visiting for their operating hours and public safety protocols.
To our Partners: Please reach out to Amy Osterhout at [email protected] to have your reopening date and/or summer camp programs added to the list!
REOPENINGS
Morristown National Historic Park, Morristown
Limited opening
Beginning Friday, July 24, 2020, Morristown NHP will open a visitor contact station within the park. It will be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 am to 4 pm. One station will be located at the Washington’s Headquarters Museum area, and, as staffing permits, another at the Jockey Hollow Visitor Center area. Additionally, a new cell phone tour of the Washington’s Headquarters area Museum and Ford Mansion grounds is now available.
While visiting the park, the following will be open for recreation in accordance with state guidance from 8 am to 8 pm daily:
- All five Jockey Hollow area parking lots (Visitor Center, Wick House, Soldier Huts, New York Brigade and Trail Center)
- New Jersey Brigade/Cross Estate area parking lot will be increased to 100% parking capacity
- Jockey Hollow Tour Road
- Soldier Huts
- All 27 miles of hiking trails
- Equestrian trail use (5 trailer spaces at the Visitor Center parking lot only)
Appropriate recreation includes such activities as:
- walking
- hiking
- running
- bicycling
- large group gatherings and activities
- picnicking
Additionally, the following areas will remain closed to the public in this phase in the interest of public health and following federal, state and local guidelines:
- Jockey Hollow Visitor Center
- New York Brigade Comfort Station
- Wick House and herb garden
- Washington’s Headquarters Area: Ford Mansion and Washington’s Headquarters Museum (grounds and parking lots are open for passive recreation)
Morven Museum and Garden, Princeton
Open for guided tours
Morven outdoor grounds are open to the public; guided tours & programming is available with reservations required. More information.
The Old Barracks, Trenton
July 2
The gates at The Old Barracks Museum are being reopened to visitors on Thursday, July 2. Tickets to see the National Historic Landmark must be pre-purchased online at least one day prior to visiting. Masks are required to be worn by visitors, staff, and volunteers at all times. Visitation is limited to 1 group of no more than 10 people at a time to comply with the State of New Jersey’s mandate on capacity reductions. The museum will be open Tuesday through Saturday. Visitation policy and hours are subject to change. More information.
Liberty Hall, Union
July 9
**Starting July 9th Liberty Hall will be having our Opening Day complimentary tours and a night receptions. Please reserve a time slot online.
**All information for ticket purchasing can be found on Liberty Hall’s website and Facebook.
**There are more events planned for the rest of the year. Including 2 more Uncork Histories, Summer Adventures at Liberty Hall for children ages 5-12, our Annual Pumpkin Patch Day, and of course Holiday Teas!
**More information.
Washington Crossing Historic Park, Washington Crossing PA
Open for guided tours
Guided tours are offered Wednesday through Sunday only, and online tickets are required. More information.
Van Veghten House, Bridgewater Township
Open by appointment only
**We are open to the public By Appointment Only. Please call at least 3 weeks in advance to schedule. (This is because the house is only open one day a week and we need time to get your request and followup with you.)
**For research we will assign a research assistant who will pre-screen the people who wish to come in order to determine the information they are looking for. They will then preselect materials that may meet those needs, and shepherd materials while you are in the house. You may be asked to wear gloves when handling materials. Please expect to present information about your needs at the time the appointment is verified. The length of time for an appointment may vary based on the number of requests received for a specific day.
**All guests will have their temperature checked by a non–touch thermometer. If there is a fever, there will be no access. You should bring your own mask.
**Because of occupancy guidelines by the federal and state authorities, occupants will wear masks and maintain at least 6 feet of social distancing in the house.
**Visitors are urged to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer upon entering. Supplies will be available in the entrance hall.
**There will be no eating in the building. Guests are requested not to touch displays.
**When climbing the stairs to the upper level, you are asked to take a sanitary wipe to use as you clutch the banister. Waste baskets and wipes will be available at the top and bottom of the stair.
**We will be cleaning the washrooms & entry doors after every visitor or as needed. (We will be cleaning the entire floor and all touch surfaces as part of our closing process.)
**We have cancelled all speaker programs for the rest of the year and will not participate in the County’s Weekend Journey To the Past event in early October. “Lunch on the Lawn” informal gatherings on Tuesdays and Walking tours in the Wetlands Mitigation Area will continue. Watch the website and our Facebook page for dates.
SUMMER CAMPS
As New Jersey begins to reopen, some of our Heritage Partner sites will be offering 2020 summer camps for children. This post will be regularly updated with camp offerings as they become available.
Peachfield
*Offering 2020 “Camp In A Box”
Contact: (609)267-6996 or [email protected]
More information.
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts
*Offering no-commitment registration with payment due at a later date. Families will be contacted with available options.
More information.
Liberty Hall
*Offering “Summer Adventure In A Box,” Summer Adventure Parent & Child Program, and Summer Adventure Drop-Off Program
Contact: 908.527.0400 or [email protected]
More information.
The Red Mill
*Offering Nature & History Programs
Nature Program: Week of June 22-26
History Program: Weeks of July 6-10, July 20-24 and August 17-21
Contact: 908.735.4101 or [email protected]
More information.
ADDITIONAL EVENTS
New Jersey State Parks
*A calendar of events has been posted to the NJ DEP State Parks website, listing various hikes, tours, open houses, and lectures taking place throughout the state parks. More information.
