"Pathways of History'' Free Self-Guided Tours of Morris County Historic Sites Set for This Weekend at Locations in 17 Towns

Enjoy a perfect mix of Morris County’s history and the autumn outdoors this weekend by participating in the Pathways of History’s 6th annual self-guided tour of historic places at important heritage locations across Morris County.

Henry Doremus House in Montville, circa 1760

The Pathways of History Tour features 23 historic sites in 18 municipalities, with no admission charged. These museums and historic sites will open their doors simultaneously to welcome visitors all weekend.

Participants can start at any of the historic sites on the tour and make their way across the county for one or two days. 

Detailed maps and an event brochure are available at each location to guide you to the next stop of your choice and helpful “Tours Within the Tour” have been suggested to assist in planning your route.

The museum buildings themselves represent various architecture; most are listed on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places. You can choose a wide variety and type of site, from the L’Ecole Kinnelon Museum to the Randolph Friends Meeting House & Cemetery.

Refreshments will be served at various locations along the route. And, remember, Admission is Free.

The Pathways of History event is a coordinated effort of many historical societies throughout Morris County who work together to specially showcase their historic sites at this annual weekend event.

“Pathways of History encourages people to explore the rich heritage of Morris County by visiting our historical sites and museums, to learn a little bit of history they didn’t know before,’’ said Steve Dochniak, President of the Historical Society of Rockaway Township. “These sites highlight what makes Morris County so special.’’ 

“The Pathways of History program encourages local historical groups to work together to highlight the county’s history during the iron era, Revolutionary and Civil War era’s, along with the Victorian times and the early 20th Century,’’ said Peg Shultz, Archivist/Acting Director of the Morris County Heritage Commission. “Morris County’s rich and diverse history will be on view at these historic sites.’’ 

Kathy DeFillippo

“It is important to ensure that current and future generations are aware of the people and places and events in our history that have given Morris County a unique role in the creation and development of our great nation,’’ added Morris County Freeholder Director Kathy DeFillippo, who is the county governing board’s liaison to the Morris County Heritage Commission.      

Some of the tour highlights include: A look at New Jersey’s original inhabitants, the Lenape people; Morris County’s pivotal role in the American Revolution, iron mines and forges during the American Revolution; and exhibits that document how the Morris Canal, railways, industry, mining, commerce and agriculture have shaped the Pathways communities. 

There also will be a celebration of Pequannock and Roxbury Townships, two of Morris County’s original four municipalities, as they both celebrate their 275th anniversaries.

At many sites, you will see docents in period costume demonstrating spinning, weaving, hearth cooking, 18th Century musket exhibits and drills, and even a Civil War encampment offered by the 33rd New Jersey Volunteer Infantry Regiment Re-enactors.

Bowlsby-DeGelleke House in Parsippany, circa 1790

Sites on the tour, with GPS location information, include:

Boonton Historical Society and Museum
Boonton Museum at the Dr. John Taylor House – 210 Main St., Boonton 07005
Miller‐Kingsland House – 445 Vreeland Ave, Boonton 07005

Boonton Township – Historical Society of Boonton Township – Oscar A. Kincaid Home of History
591 Powerville Rd., Boonton Township 07005

Butler – Borough of Butler Museum – New York, Susquehanna & Western Railroad Station
233 Main St., Butler 07405

Denville – Ayres/Knuth Farm Foundation – 25 Cooper Rd., Denville 07834
Denville Historical Society and Museum – Second Union School – 502 Openaki Rd., Denville 07834

Dover Area Historical Society – Dr. Condit House – 55 West Blackwell St., Dover 07801

Florham Park Historic Preservation Commission – Little Red Schoolhouse
203 Ridgedale Ave, Florham Park 07932

Kinnelon – L’Ecole Kinnelon Museum – 25 Kiel Ave, Kinnelon 07405

Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum – 9 Lakeside Blvd., Hopatcong (at Hopatcong State Park, Landing 07850)

Mine Hill – Ferromonte Historical Society of Mine Hill – Bridget Smith House
124 Randolph Ave, Mine Hill 07803

Montville Township Historical Society:
Henry Doremus Dutch Stone House – 490 Main Rd. (US 202), Towaco 07082
Nicholas Vreeland Out Kitchen – 52 Jacksonville Rd., Towaco 07082

Mount Olive Township Historical Society – Mount Olive Baptist Church and Cemetery, Mount Olive Academy, 131 Flanders‐Drakestown Rd (corner Mt. Olive Rd), Flanders 07836

Mount Tabor Historical Society – Richardson History House – 32 Trinity Pl, Mount Tabor 07878

Parsippany Historical & Preservation Society – Bowlsby‐DeGelleke House
320 Baldwin Rd, Township of Parsippany‐Troy Hills 07054

Pequannock – Museum of Pequannock Township – 33 Evans Pl, Pompton Plains 07444

Randolph – Historical Society of Old Randolph – Brundage House – 630 Millbrook Ave, Randolph 07869
Randolph Friends Meeting House & Cemetery – 190 Quaker Church Rd, Randolph 07869

Rockaway Township – Historical Society of Rockaway Township – Ford‐Faesch Ironmaster’s House
629 Mount Hope Rd, Rockaway 07885

Roxbury Township – Drakesville Historic Park – 209‐213 Main St, Ledgewood 07852
Roxbury Historic Trust, Inc. – The King Store and King House Museum


For more information on the sites and tour information, visit: www.PathwaysofHistoryNJ.com