If the family is in the mood for hiking and making some fun discoveries along the way, then the Watchung Reservation History Trail in Union County is a great destination.
The 6-mile loop takes hikers to 14 historical sites that tell the story of the early years of the Watchung Reservation and describe the use of the land before it was incorporated into a county park. The trail is marked with pink blazes, and signs along the path identify the sites of interest.
The history trail is designed to start and end in the parking lot of the Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside, although visitors can enter the trail at a number of different locations. Before heading out into the woods, the family can enjoy the 4,500 square feet of interactive exhibits in the science and nature center. Attractions include a library and a children’s discovery room where youngsters can enter a hollow tree to view box turtles, sit in a night theater to learn about nocturnal animals, or walk inside a life-size wigwam to discover how the Lenape Native Americans lived.
Once back outside, the Watchung Reservation History Trail map provides directions to the trail entrance. It also offers background information for each of the historic sites. While these maps can usually be picked up at the entrance to the trails, it’s a good idea to print one out at the Union County Parks Department website, at www.ucnj.org, before you leave home.
Along the loop, the youngest family members will be able to find the pink blazes and the historic site signs. The first stop is the remains of a copper mine, along with a large stone that was used for sluicing the ore. It’s believed that exploring for copper in the area may date back to at least the 1600s. Other stops along the loop include Hermit’s Pond, Drake Farm House and Barn, and Lake Surprise.
Site No. 6 – The Deserted Village of Feltville – is the most exciting of the sites. Feltville is named after 19th century founder David Felt. After Felt sold the property in the late 19th century, the village changed hands a number of times before being purchased by the Union County Park Commission in the 1920s. There’s a private roadway running along the front of the houses here, but it is interesting to "discover" the village when approaching from the wooded trails.
A Self-Guided Tour of The Deserted Village of Feltville/Glenside Park brochure is a must when strolling between the houses. This brochure can also be downloaded from the Union County Park Department website. It explains the history of the village that consists of 10 buildings, and is listed on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places. Visitors who are only interested in exploring the village can start out in the Glenside Aveune Parking lot and do the one-mile walk that takes in the cemetery and the village before circling back to the parking area.
The Village of Feltville was built by Felt, who ran a stationery business in New York City, with a store in Manhattan and a factory in Brooklyn. In 1844, he bought this property from the previous owner, Peter Willcocks. Felt built a mill along the Blue Brook, two dams to supply water power for the mill, and, on a hill above the brook, houses for his workers. While it’s tempting to walk onto every porch to peek through the windows, it’s not allowed. Three of the homes are occupied, and the porches of the others are not safe for pedestrians.
There is one exception: Building No. 2 the Church and Store. This building was restored to serve as the Village’s interpretive center and is open on special occasions. Inside, visitors can see exhibits of photographs and artifacts depicting the village history. In Felt’s time, this building served as the general store with a church overhead for religious services. Villagers were required to attend religious services every week, but were allowed to practice in accordance to their own beliefs. At first Felt provided a priest, minister, or rabbi to conduct services and eventually hired a non-denominational minister who remained in full-time residence at the village.
While there isn’t enough staff to keep this building open on a regular basis, it will be open to visitors for the annual Four Centuries in a Weekend event that takes place Oct. 15 and 16.
"There are 25 historic sites in Union County open to visitors for this weekend. The deserted village is by far the largest and we have about 1,500 people passing through the village during this event every year," says Dan Bernier, director of the Division of Park Planning and Environmental Services and Resident Caretaker of the Deserted Village. "I bring on some staff and a bunch of volunteers and we organize free hay rides, apple cider pressing, and old fashioned children’s games at the village."
During the Oct. 16 festivities, the community will celebrate the dedication of the recently restored village Carriage House. Weekend events in the village are very family oriented, says Bernier. Shuttles are on hand to transport parents with children in strollers and elderly grandparents from the parking area to the village center. And while the hay rides and games are a definite hit with youngsters, visitors of all ages enjoy the guided tours.
"Every year the ghost of David Felt comes back to take visitors around the village," says Bernier.
Vera Lawlor writers about a nearby destination each month in The Parent Paper.
If you go
The Trailside Nature and Science Center, at 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside, is open noon to 5 p.m. daily. For more information, call 908-789-3670, or visit www.ucnj.org and click on "community."
The Deserted Village of Feltville/Glenside Park can also be accessed at Cataract Hollow Road in Berkeley Heights.
The Four Centuries in a Weekend event takes place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 15 and noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 16. For a complete list of locations, and for more information, go to http://ucnj.org/community/community-renewal/cultural-and-heritage-affairs/four-centuries/
