Morris History: Pathways of History Weekend Tour Across Morris County -- Sept. 21-22

Published on September 04, 2019

Self-Guided Tours Showcase 20 Historic Sites in 16 Towns

The 2019 Pathways of History self-guided tour includes 20 historic places across Morris County. The even will be held the weekend of Sept. 21-22.

Historic sites in 16 towns offer a great variety of architectural periods and styles €” and the stories of the past still living in these properties.

This self-guided tour is a family-friendly, admission free event offering something for visitors of all ages and interests. The venues will open their doors in simultaneous welcome on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Sunday, Sept. 22 from noon to 4 p.m. A few sites will be open only one day.

Organized in 2010 as a way to encourage people to visit local museums and landmark properties, Pathways has become a popular annual event attracting hundreds of enthusiastic tour goers.

This year's eclectic collection highlights small, volunteer-run historic properties in Boonton, Boonton Township, Kinnelon, Butler, Montville, Pequannock, Dover, Mine Hill, Lake Hopatcong, Mount Tabor, Parsippany, Florham Park, Randolph, Roxbury and Washington Township.

Housing historic artifacts, collections and exhibits, the museum buildings themselves represent an outstanding anthology of architectural periods and styles; most are listed on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places. Some are legacy buildings, revered and treasured by their communities. Others have been rescued from oblivion just in the nick of time by concerned, preservation-minded groups and individuals who understood their significance.

Learn the stories of how some of the antique buildings were saved.

The Oscar A. Kincaid Home of History was also rescued from an unknown fate with a successful grassroots campaign by the Historical Society of Boonton Township.

Martin Berry House in Pequannock Township

Learn about Pequannock's current effort to save the pre-Revolutionary Martin Berry House, with a legacy that began almost 300 years ago.

Venerable 18th century structures, many predating the Revolutionary War, offer German folk-tradition and Dutch stone examples, as well as those of Georgian and Saltbox construction.

The 1758 Randolph Friends Meeting House is purported to be Morris County's oldest extant hand-hewn building. Designs of the 19th century are represented in buildings of varied uses and sizes including a Folk Victorian Camp Meeting Cottage; an 1890's Colonial Revival; a diminutive two-family iron miner's dwelling which is included on the New Jersey Women's Heritage Trail; three schoolhouses; two 19th century railway stations; a Morris Canal lock tender's house; a general store and several wonderful examples of vernacular farmhouses. Old graveyards are part of several sites and are open to respectful visitation by the public.

Visitors may begin at any site on the tour. Friendly docents await to welcome you and to share their knowledge of community history.

Learn about those citizens for whom our roads, schools and other buildings were named. Enjoy the special exhibits and programs each venue has planned especially for this event honoring history, community and friendship. Various locations will include special activities for children. Many of the museums have wonderful shops offering a selection of books, gifts and souvenirs; some serve light refreshments.

Volunteers are the backbone of all the museums €“ there are no paid employees and an admission fee is never charged. To help plan your tour, be sure to pick up a Pathways tour brochure and map at your first stop

More details about this exceptional heritage tour can be found on our website: www.PathwaysofHistory.net.