Celebrate Warren County's vast array of parkland, historic preservation projects, farmland and open space at the 5th Annual Warren County Preservation Day on Sunday, May 21, 2017.
Scheduled this year for the historic Van Nest - Hoff - Vannatta Farmstead in Harmony Township, NJ, the event is held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine, with free admission, and is open to all. Preservation Day features live music and other entertainment, historic displays, re-eanctors, informative talks, guided hikes and more.
The event is sponsored by the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the county Department of Land Preservation, and is intended to highlight the open space and preservation projects that have taken place throughout hte county. Previous Preservation Day events have been held at the White Lake Natural Resource Area in Hardwick Township, Rutherfurd Hall in Allamuchy Township, and the Ramsaysburg Historic Homestead in Knowlton Township.
The Van Nest - Hoff - Vannatta Farmstead is a significant site listed on both the New Jersey State and National Registers of Historic Places. It is a remarkable representation of our architectural and agricultural heritage from the pre-Revolutionary period up to the 20th century. The site has been a labor of love led by the Harmony Township Historic Preservation Commission and it is a 2013 State Historic Preservation Award winner. The grounds are open to the public daily and open houses are held in the Spring and Fall allowing access to the site's buildings.
While the event officially kicks off at 10 a.m., the Metrotrails Early Bird Hike starts the day from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Those interested on the guided hike led by Metrotrails, an organization that conducts hikes throughout the region, should meet at the Van Nest - Hoff - Vannatta Farmstead and shuttle to the starting point for a hike of about five miles back to the festival.
EVENT SCHEDULE:
10 a.m. - Opening Remarks by Warren County Freeholder Director Richard D. Gardner, Harmony Township officials and other local dignitaries.
11 a.m. - Tour of the Van Nest - Hoff - Vannatta Farmstead led by Michael Margulies.
12 p.m. - Wild Edibles & Medicinal Plans Hike led by Jared Rosenbaum of Wild Ridge Plants
1 p.m. - Live Animal Demonstration by Rizzo's Wildlife Discovery
3 p.m. - Metrotrails Afternoon Hike. For more information, contact Michael Helbing at sneezehorse@hotmail.com.
Preservation Day also will feature:
Live music by Davey & The Waverunners! Fronted by Davey Werkhiser from the popular '80s band Magnum. A professional Jimmy Buffett tribute band from the Lehigh Valley, Davey and The Waverunners play all of their fans favorites.
CheezeN Gourmet Grilled Cheese from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The grilled cheese sandwich is the perfect nostalgic snack, bringing back fond memories of playgrounds and picnics. Nurturing that memory, CheezeN gourmet grilled cheese puts an adult touch to this iconic meal.
The Summer Kitchen at the Van Nest-Hoff-Vannatta Farmstead will be open and Susan Gentle, Kitchen Docent, welcomes you to come and experience life in the 18th Century. See meat cooking in the reflector oven or trussed and cooking in the Dutch Oven, fried cookies, all in original kitchen equipment. Please come join in the fun, grind some coffee, churn butter, chop herbs, grate nutmeg, and more!
NJ Frontier Guard - French & Indian War Reenactors.
15th NJ Co. B. - Civil War Reenactors.
Numerous exhibitors will have information, displays, activities, or demonstrations. Stop by their tables and check them out! Look for the ExploreWarren table and say hello to the folks behind Warren County Wanderings!
For more information, call the Warren County Department of Land Preservation at 908-453-2650.
Warren County Preservation Day
Celebrate Warren County's vast array of parkland, historic preservation projects, farmland and open space at this free event, happening rain or shine, with live music and other entertainment, historic displays, re-eanctors, informative talks, guided hikes and more! The Metrotrails Early Bird Hike starts the day from 8:30am-10am, then catch a full day of events at the historic Van Nest - Hoff - Vannatta Farmstead in Harmony Township. Look for the Explore Warren table and say hello to the folks behind Warren County Wanderings!