• Winter sunrise, Kittatinny Ridge

    Delaware Water Gap

    National Recreation Area NJ,PA

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    Childs Park opens Thursday, May 23. Dingmans Falls, Blue Mt Lakes/Skyline and unpaved Old Mine roads open. STILL CLOSED PA: Mt. Minsi spur trails closed due to falcon nesting; Hornbecks & Adams Trails closed; McDade Trail closed trail miles 24.5 to 27.5 More »

Our Yearly History Events

 

The events featured on this page are park-sponsored and park-staffed events held in the recreation area with the assistance of cooperating oganizations. These events are generally held every year as staffing, funding, and weather permit. For the exact date this year, see the Schedule of Events.

The park's Lecture Series is also held yearly and usually includes history topics.

Additional holiday events are held near the park at: Grey Towers

 

LATE WINTER/SPRING

MAPLE SUGARING DAY
Time:
a Saturday in early March
Location: Millbrook Village NJ | Directions | Map & Guide to Millbrook
Old Mine Road might remain closed after snowfalls; a route through Blairstown is preferable
Admission:
free
Rangers and park volunteers demonstrate "sugaring" process, including the tapping of sugar maple trees, gathering of the sap, and making of maple syrup and sugar. Recipes for maple-based foods are available. Some village buildings may be open for viewing. This event is held outdoors. Winter clothing and appropriate footgear are needed.
More about Maple Sugaring.

Historic Activities Day (May)
Admission: open only to pre-scheduled school groups.

SUMMER

OLD-FASHIONED 4th OF JULY
Time: a Saturday near July 4th
Location: Millbrook Village NJ | Directions | Map & Guide to Millbrook
Admission: free
The morning is spent getting ready for the parade, with children's activities like the making of paper hats. In the afternoon, there is a parade through the village, with costumed participants and visitors of all ages welcome to join in, and a (brief) address by the "mayor." Afternoon activities include old-fashioned games like a watermelon-eating contest

Peters Valley Craft Fair is held outside the recreation area on a weekend in late September at Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta NJ.
FALL

MILLBROOK DAYS
Time: Saturday and Sunday of the first weekend that falls fully in October
Location: Millbrook Village NJ | Directions | Map & Guide to Millbrook
Admission: free; parking is free.
More than 100 costumed volunteers bring the village alive with tours, demonstrations, activities and programs that celebrate rural life around the year 1900. Event is held rain or shine.

VAN CAMPEN DAY
Time:
third or fourth Sunday in October
Location:Van Campen Inn, Walpack NJ | Directions
Admission: free
House tours, guided hikes along historic MilitaryTrail, military encampment, and
craft demonstrations highlight life at this historic park home in the 1700s.
Van Campen Inn is located on the original dirt roadbed of Old Mine Road, 2.5 miles south of Peters Valley NJ.
More about Restoring Van Campen Inn

"OCTIVITIES"
Time: a Saturday in late October
Location:
Millbrook Village NJ | Directions | Map & Guide to Millbrook
Admission: free.
Octivities is an autumn activities day for children. Buildings are open with tours and demonstrations. Children's activities include pumpkin painting and the making of apple-head and cornhusk dolls. All are welcome to come in costume if they wish.

WINTER

VICTORIAN HOLIDAYS
Time:
a weekend in early December
Location: Millbrook Village NJ | Directions | Map & Guide to Millbrook
Admission: free; open to all
On Saturday, village homes will be decorated for the hoidays with costumed guides, cooking demonstrations, Victorian Christmas crafts, toys, and games for children. All are welcome.
On Sunday afternoon/early evening, there is a program of carol-singing and Christmas reminiscences in the village church led by costumed members of the Millbrook Village Society. All are welcome.

HOLIDAY WEEKENDS
at Foster-Armstrong House
Time:
Two or three weekends in late November and early December
Location: Foster-Armstrong House, Montague NJ.
Admission: free
Costumed docents give tours of the house decorated in period styles for the holidays. Handmade crafts, books on history, and gifts are for sale. On one Saturday candlelight tours may be given. Weather permitting.
Historic Houses of Montague NJ (Foster Armstrong House)
Montague Association for the Restoration of Community History (M.A.R.C.H.)

Did You Know?

A series of arm patches

... that Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area includes lands which once belonged to 5 New Jersey boy scout camps. Private and religious camps also flourished along the riverbanks that are now part of the park at sites such as Turn Farm PA, Coppermine Inn NJ, and Coppermine Hiking Area NJ. More...