New Events Bring 1776-Era Long Valley History To Life

LONG VALLEY, NJ — Washington Township residents can explore the places where their community’s earliest settlers lived, worked and gathered through a new walking tour celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary.

The Washington Township Historical Society launched its “Discover, Experience and Celebrate America250 in Washington Township” campaign July 1. The campaign focuses on life in the area—then known as German Valley—around the time of the American Revolution.

Its new self-guided walking tour leads participants to several historic homes, a mill, tavern, church and river crossing. Each location includes photographs, written information, audio descriptions and stories from 250 years ago.

The tour can be accessed on a mobile device through the historical society’s website. Printed booklets are also available at the WTHS Museum, located at 6 Fairview Ave. in Long Valley, from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays and from 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays.

The historical society will continue the commemoration Saturday, Sept. 19, with a fundraiser titled “It’s 1776 — The News of Independence Reaches German Valley!”

The event will seek to recreate the excitement local residents may have experienced when news of American independence reached the community from Philadelphia. Guests will be able to interact with actors portraying German Valley settlers while enjoying live period music, appetizers, local wine, beer and other beverages.

The event was previously scheduled for June before being moved to the fall. Additional details and tickets are available on the WTHS event page.

Both programs are part of the historical society’s effort to help the community discover local landmarks, experience stories from the Revolutionary era and celebrate America’s semiquincentennial in Washington Township.