Pathways of History

FOLLOWING THE PATHWAYS OF HISTORY

A SPECIAL MUSEUM TOUR EVENT

Saturday, October 20 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Sunday, October 21 from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Small museums continually search for innovative ideas to promote community history and to entice the public to visit their museums and historic places.  In 2010 five enthusiastic Morris County groups conceived an idea designed to highlight their distinctive museums and historical properties. Housed in venerable buildings of local significance, each had a unique and fascinating story to share.  Aptly called “Following the Pathways of History – Links to Each Other and to the Past,” this two-day museum tour was a huge success.

 

Now in its third year, the Pathways of History Museum Tour has grown to include 13 historic locations.  The two-day 2012 tour will take place on Saturday, October 20 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and Sunday, October 21, from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm.  The original five museums in Boonton, Boonton Township, Butler, Kinnelon and Montville Township, are honored to be joined by Denville, Dover, Jefferson Township, Lake Hopatcong, Pequannock Township and Riverdale’s Glenburn.  The museums and historic sites will simultaneously open their doors in welcome.

Each participant on the tour has planned something extra special for this extraordinary event honoring history, community and friendship.  In Boonton, visit the Boonton Museum at the Dr. John Taylor House; tour the historic residential area whose early settlers came from England seeking work in the Boonton Iron Works; and be sure to stop by the Miller-Kingsland House to experience the 33^rd Regiment New Jersey Volunteers Civil War encampment.  In Boonton Township, enjoy a pictorial exhibit chronicling the restoration of the historic Oscar A. Kincaid Home of History; participate in a grand celebration honoring the home’s enigmatic folk art face as “he” marks his 175^th year; visit the Kincaid Fine Crafts and Art Shoppe at the historic road stand and take time to observe the ART-IN Group painting on site.  In Butler, witness the sights of Butler’s glory days 100 years ago through news stories, photos and slides; experience the 1957 Pequanoc Rubber Company fire; visit their Little Miss Liberty statue and learn about this town’s connection to her famous relative in New York Harbor.  Because the Butler Railroad Station Museum is closed for renovations, exhibits and artifacts will be on display at the Butler Police Community Center.  At the Denville Historical Society’s Museum, tour the "Garden of Thyme and Roses" and be sure to visit the featured exhibit detailing over three centuries of Denville's history.  Take in a guided tour during your visit.  The Dover Area Historical Society will offer an educational and entertaining presentation of the rich history of the Dover Area.  The Borough of Riverdale’s Glenburn, a grand heritage home given a “New Beginning” when residents and neighbors in surrounding communities saved it from the wrecker’s ball, will be open for guided tours.  Don’t miss the historic barn, outbuildings and beautiful grounds.  In Montville Township, two historic properties, both offering continuous tours, are a must see.  A Revolutionary War encampment will be staged at the Henry Doremus Dutch Stone House. While there, also enjoy live period music and an antique quilt display.  At the Nicholas Vreeland Out Kitchen, which dates to 1780, Dutch architecture, hearthside food practices, and some period take-home recipes will be featured.  At the Jefferson Township Museum costumed docents will welcome visitors and guide them through the Chamberlain house and surrounding gardens.  Quilters will be on hand to demonstrate their craft; Miss Elizabeth’s Shoppe, located in the kitchen of this Victorian gem, will offer unique gifts, local provisions, antiques and homemade goods for purchase.  Kinnelon Borough’s L’Ecole Museum will offer historical displays and vignettes.  “The Life and Work of Dr. Helen L. Miller,” the fascinating story of a charismatic 20^th century physician who brought state-of-the-art medicine to Kinnelon and the surrounding area, and “A History of the 35,000-acre Newark Pequannock Watershed” are featured presentations both days of the tour.  The Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum, located in a rustic 19^th century building which served as a lock tender’s house on the Morris Canal, will offer an entertaining and enlightening look at the history of New Jersey’s largest lake.  For the Pathways of History Museum Tour the Museum will feature a special salute to Bertrand Island Park.  In observance of the Civil War Sesquicentennial, the Museum of Pequannock Township has prepared an extraordinary display to honor Old Pequannock Township’s Civil War Veterans.

Admission to this two-day event is free.  Visitors may start the tour at any location.  Detailed maps and an event brochure will guide you to the next stop.  Refreshments will be served at various locations along the route.

For more information, contact us at 973=316-0976, or visit our website at www.Boonton.org.