Journey through Union County’s historical past this weekend

union countyUnion County’s annual free public heritage event, “Four Centuries in a Weekend: A Journey through Union County’s History,” will take place Saturday, Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 18 from noon to 5 p.m. Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, with the cooperation of staff and volunteers at 28 house museums and historic sites, the two-day free event opens doors to more than 370 years of history throughout Union County.

“Four Centuries in a Weekend began in 1994 when 16 historic sites and the County of Union organized a weekend event to tell how Elizabethtown of 1664 evolved into the 21 municipalities of modern-day Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “This year you can learn about local military heroes, archaeological sites, bridal gowns, the role of women in the Revolution, special exhibitions and tours that showcase the county’s treasure trove of history.”

Among the historic sites open for free tours, all listed on the National and New Jersey State Registers of Historic Places, are these special programs and events:

  • Reeve History & Cultural Resource Center in Westfield celebrates the restoration of the 1870s Victorian Italianate home
  • Deserted Village of Feltville-Glenside Park in Berkeley Heights will host the Archaeological Society of New Jersey on Saturday afternoon in the restored Masker’s Barn with presentations about archaeological sites at the village
  • Crane-Phillips House Museum in Cranford will present “Here Come the Brides,” a display of wedding gowns from 1880 to 198
  • Nathaniel Drake House in Plainfield, will host on Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Stacy F. Roth presenting “Over Here, Molly Pitcher,” a dramatic performance highlighting the lives of women who “belonged to the army” during the American Revolution
  • For more info: http://ucnj.org/parks-recreation/cultural-heritage-affairs/historic-sites-map/
    http://ucnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Union-County-Across-the-Centuries-website1.pdf

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