Somerset County’s Journey Through the Past Program Celebrates 20 Years of Exploring Local History on October 11 and 12

(For Immediate Release – Somerset County, NJ): Celebrate 20 years of Journey Through the Past by exploring over 30 historic sites in Somerset County this October. This free living history event, hosted by the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, is open to the public and offers an array of fun activities, educational programs, and exciting opportunities to learn how previous generations lived and worked in the County.

“Over the last 20 years, Journey Through the Past has welcomed thousands of residents and visitors to discover Somerset County’s rich history and heritage,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Melonie Marano, liaison to the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission. “This annual program brings history to life by allowing visitors to interact with historical reenactors and to freely enter historic sites that represent different time periods. With our nation’s 250th anniversary set for 2026, this event is a great opportunity for visitors to learn the impact our local history has had on our nation.”

33 historic sites will be open to the public on the following dates and times:

• Saturday, October 11, 2025, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sunday, October 12, 2025, 12-4 p.m.

Each historic site will feature different family-friendly activities that visitors of all ages can enjoy including historical reenactments, colonial artisan demonstrations, period music, and much more. To create a more immersive experience, trained history docents will be at certain sites to provide tours, give demonstrations, answer questions, and share valuable insights about local history.

To help plan your Journey Through the Past, visitors can download the 2025 Journey Through the Past Activities Brochure to discover which activities will be available at each historic site and view an interactive map of participating sites that allows visitors to choose a North, Central, or South County tour.

New! Journey Through the Past Passport Program

This year, the first 250 people to visit five sites and complete a survey will have the opportunity to earn a limited-edition commemorative coin, which celebrates the 20th Anniversary of Journey Through the Past and the upcoming 250th Anniversary of the Nation. Vistors that complete the following three steps will be eligible to claim their commemorative coin and other great prizes.

• Step 1 – Visit Sites and Collect Stamps
  All you need is your Journey Through the Past Guidebook. Each historic site has its own unique stamp for their guidebook page. Guidebooks are available at each site.

• Step 2 – Locate the Survey Password
  The survey password will be on display at every participating site. This password is needed to access the History Traveler Contest Survey. The survey will be made available to the public on October 11, 2025, at 11 a.m.

• Step 3 – Tell Us About Your Journey
  Tell us about your journey and let us know how many sites you visited by submitting your History Traveler Contest Survey answers by October 27, 2025.

For more information, contact the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission office at (908) 231-7021 or CulturalHeritage@co.somerset.nj.us.

The Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission encourages visitors to share photos of their journey by tagging @SomersetCountyNJ on Instagram and Facebook. Photos tagged @SomersetCountyNJ may be shared on the County’s social media platforms.

To learn more about Somerset County, register for free email alerts at somersetcountynj.gov/subscribe or follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube.

About Somerset County

The County of Somerset is committed to excellence and innovation in public service, promoting the well-being of all residents and communities by providing effective, efficient, and responsive leadership.

About Journey Through the Past

Somerset County’s annual Journey Through the Past is an initiative of the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners and the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, in collaboration with many countywide local historical organizations, commissions, and other county organizations. It is made possible in part by funds from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, the New Jersey Historical Commission, and the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.

More News from Raritan

• ICYMI: Governor Murphy Adminstration Kicks off NJ Climate Week The fifth Our Water’s Worth It award was presented to The Watershed Institute
• Somerset County Seeks Volunteers for 2025 Fall Leaf Clean-Up Project If you are an elderly or disabled Somerset County resident in need of this service, contact the Office of Volunteer Services after October 2 to register.