Eleven historic sites in Warren County will participate in the first Explore Warren History Trail this weekend, November 6^th and 7^th. The event is a self-guided driving tour between historic landmarks, each representing a significant chapter in Warren County’s history.  Tour goers can visit one or multiple sites at their own pace each day.

The event is FREE and open to individuals and families of all ages. Printed trail maps will be available at each location to start the tour goers off on their history adventure. Each site will have a docent on hand to convey the history of the location between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.  Some sites will have their building interiors open, demonstrations and festival activities. Children’s activities are also planned at several locations. The event is rain or shine. Schedule details and trail map can be found at www.warrenhistorytrail.org and Facebook: Explore Warren History Trail.

HISTORIC REGISTER

All eleven sites are listed on the New Jersey State Historic Register and the majority are also on the National Register of Historic Places.  The landmarks span over one hundred and sixty years of Warren County heritage. The earliest landmark on the trail is at Oxford, NJ.  Oxford Furnace was installed in 1741 with the iron master’s residence, Shippen Manor, being built in 1754.  The most recent landmark is Allamuchy’s Rutherfurd Hall, which was built in 1902.

 LANDMARKS ON THE TRAIL

·       Asbury Mill – Asbury

·       Blairstown Historic District – Blairstown (11/7 only, 10-4)

·       Jim and Mary Lee Museum (Morris Canal) in Stewartsville

·       Moravian Village of Hope – Hope

·       Roseberry-Gess House – Phillipsburg

·       Ramsaysburg Historic Homestead – Delaware

·       Rutherfurd Hall – Allamuchy

·       Shimer Mansion – Pohatcong Township (Phillipsburg)

·       Shippen Manor & Oxford Furnace, Oxford (11/7 only, 12-4)

·       VanNest Hoff-Vannatta Farm – Harmony

·       Vass Farmstead – Hardwick

WARREN COUNTY – BICENTENNIAL 2024-2025

Warren County will be celebrating its remarkable history in 2024 – 2025 marking two hundred years since it split from Sussex County. The Explore Warren History Trail is planned to be an annual event leading up to and continuing after the bicentennial celebration. A Warren County Bicentennial Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board is already in place to work on events and activities in recognizing Warren County’s rich history. 

SUSSEX AND WARREN COUNTY TOURISM TASK FORCE

In 2019 Congressman Josh Gottheimer and Senator Steve Oroho launched the Sussex and Warren County Tourism Task Force to bolster agritourism, ecotourism and heritage tourism in Sussex and Warren Counties. The Explore Warren History Trail is an event which supports the efforts being made by Congressman Gottheimer and Senator Oroho to draw visitors and funding for tourism to Warren County.  Both leaders have made regular visits to the historic sites and districts that are featured on the 2021 Explore Warren History Trail. In addition, they have supported grant funding for the improvements of many sites along the trail. Congressman Gottheimer and Senator Oroho have been invited to speak by the event coordinators – Friends of Ramsaysburg.

The Friends of Ramsaysburg are coordinating the 2021 Explore Warren History Trail through an operating grant awarded by the Warren County Division of Cultural and Heritage Affairs (WCDCHA). The WCDCHA received funds from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State.