View of Van Veghten House facing North. This used to be the back of the house.

The Local Source for The Historian In All of us.

We can help with local research, genealogy, archives, programs and networking.

Open House Hours with special conditions.

908-218-1281

Breaking News

Holidays and History Events

Van Veghten Open House Tuesdays: Jan 13, 20, 27, from 11 am to 3 pm and second and fourth Saturdays Jan 10 and 24 from 12 pm to 3 pm. Special dates by appointment.

Our two room Revolutionary War Museum is open and waiting for visitors. Stop by and check us out! Docent guided tours on Saturday, 24th

Thursday, Jan 15, 11 am members speak at Ridge Oak Community about Lenape and their legacy in the County.

Sunday, January 18, 1:30 pm Board Meeting

Coming Attractions: Joins us for a series of guest speakers at VVH each month

Saturday, February 7. Guest lecture by Sam Davis at VVH. Details to follow.

Sunday, February 15, Five Generals Bus Tour . See Heritage Trail website for details.

Saturday March 7 Guest lecture by member Glenn Valis, reenactor, on NJ Militia At VVH. Details to follow.

Saturday, March 14, 9 am to 4 pm Middlebrook Symposium at RVCC

Our Historian has created a separate website. Check it out at Somersetnjhistory.org

Howe Farm-stead or Stillwell-Van Tine House

Preservation in Action News

Somerset County's Historic Preservation Grant Program announced the Stillwell-Van Tine House (better known in the Society as the Howe Farmstead ) was granted $442,500 to complete restoration that focuses on updating the home's kitchenette, wooden floors, carpets, walls, ceiling, interior floors, and both porches. The first-floor interior will be restored with this grant. The Society has learned that this is the second largest grant total the County has awarded in the 26 years history of the program. With the awards to 3 other sites, a total of $1, 145,982 is available to save and restore the rich story of Somerset County. And just in time for the 250th celebration of the Declaration of Independence!

CHECK OUT OUR GO FUND ME PAGE:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-schs-restore-300yearold-farmstead out buildings

(these are not included in the grant for the house.

schshowefarm@gmail.com

732-305-0265

OUR MISSION

Founded in 1882, the Somerset County Historical Society is dedicated to finding, saving and sharing the history of Somerset County, New Jersey

We accomplish this in a variety of ways including:

Foster a growing local community of history lovers of all ages
Maintain and preserve the Van Veghten House, a National and State Historic Site
With the County Cultural and Heritage Commission restore and put to creative reuse the Howe Farmstead in Franklin Township
Collect and maintain an Archives of manuscripts, photographs and ephemera related to Somerset County History
Collect and maintain a Library of State & Local History Books and Genealogical Resources
Conduct and assist public with genealogical and local history research
Communicate through Quarterly Electronic Newsletter, Facebook , video vignettes, and a Website
Issue Publications and video's of local interest
Present authors and speakers
Maintain a Revolutionary War Museum highlighting the Middlebrook Encampment of 1778-1779 here in Somerset.

Some of the 2025 Accomplishments

In addition to holding weekly open house hours and handling more than 180 inquiries from the general public, the Society participated in County led docent training and welcomed several 5 for internship and membership, partnered with the other Five Generals Houses for the spring bus tour, participated in the Middlebrook Symposium (one of our members was a speaker) sponsored a joint program with the County highlighting the Dutch barns in the county, participated in History on the Green in Somerville, hosted basket making workshop at the all county Weekend Journey Through the Past, met with State Historic Commission about flood mitigation efforts, attended NJ League of Historical Societies meetings, remodeled our museum rooms to create a Revolutionary War display highlighting the Middlebrook encampment and the Van Veghten involvement, published a book called How Central Jersey Won the Revolutionary War, and completed restoration of the outside of he Howe Farmstead in Franklin Township,

None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the active support of our volunteers and members. Thank You!

The Local Source for The Historian In All of us.

Take a stand and join the oldest Historical Organization in the County

Breaking News

Holidays and History Events

Howe Farm-stead or Stillwell-Van Tine House

OUR MISSION

Friends of SCHS

Click the logos to learn more!

The Local Source for The Historian In All of us.

Take a stand and join the oldest Historical Organization in the County

Breaking News

Holidays and History Events

Howe Farm-stead or Stillwell-Van Tine House

OUR MISSION

Find us on Facebook & instagram

Friends of SCHS

Click the logos to learn more!