Washington Township Historical Society

09/06/2026

Join WTHS for "An Evening in 1776" when the news spreading from Philadelphia reached our community that members of the Second Continental Congress had signed a DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE!
What did the news mean to a small agrarian community of German descendants? What did it mean to New Jersey which was about to find itself as The Crossroad of the American Revolution? New Jersey which separated Philadelphia from New York City? New Jersey which sat in the middle between Northern Maine (then part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony) and the plantations of Georgia?
A few tickets remain for Saturday, September 19, 5-7pm, as we gather, like the community of yore, at the Old Union Stone Church on Fairview Avenue. Enjoy period music, victuals and provisions (finger foods, wine, beer, and cider) as we immerse ourselves in living history. Note, this is not a reading of the Declaration, but an evening of community and socializing as we meet costumed actors portraying the early citizens of German Valley, some of whom are buried in the neighboring cemetery.
Tickets available online through the WT Historical Society's website:

The Washington Township Historical Society (WTHS) invites the community to step back together in time with a special evening entitled “1776 — The News of Independence Reaches German Valley,” a unique, living history event commemorating the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding.

09/05/2026

As the seasons change and always WTHS thanks The Garden Club of Long Valley for its continued dedication. The members of the club have maintained the beautiful historic flowers beds at the museum for 40 years!

Stop by, enjoy our Mary Sliker Memorial Garden and bench and explore the neighboring Old Union Cemetery.

The cemetery is the final resting place for three known Revolutionary patriots as well as several of the founding family patriarchs and signers of the deed for the Union Church and Cemetery.

09/04/2026

Are you still collecting plastic bags, bubble wrap and cereal liners? The Long Valley Woman's Club is still participating. Look for the collection boxes at places like the Municipal Building, Library, Racks and area churches.

09/01/2026

Many thanks to Bill Blaskopf of Heath Village and a long-standing friend to WTHS for his excellent job as gameshow host Saturday afternoon at the Library for our community game of Jeopardy.

Bill spent hours researching American and New Jersey history and has developed his format and technique over sixty similar presentations at Heath Village on various subjects. Our contestants ranged from sixth grade to senior citizens and enjoyed sharing humor as well as additional information triggered by the questions. One participant brought the house down with his quip that confirmed the story about George Washington and the cherry tree is false (so is the claim that his false teeth were wooden). Who did cut down that tree? Popeye. (I cannot tell a lie, "Pop, I did it!)

Congratulations, again to Christie who won the pair of tickets to September 19th's immersive experience, "An Evening in 1776." There is still time to discover what the fuss was about in 1776 while enjoying a late afternoon of period music, local "provisions" (i.e.: hard cider and beer), and delicious finger foods.

Join WTHS for this semiquincentennial event at 5pm, Sept. 19th on the grounds of the Old Union Stone Church, Fairview Avenue. Purchase tickets here: https://wthsnj.org/event/1776-the-news-of-independence-reaches-german-valley/

There is still time ( until September 7) to test your knowledge of local history and join the Society's contest.
https://wthsnj.org/how-well-do-you-know-washington-townships-history/

The Washington Township Historical Society (WTHS) invites the community to step back together in time with a special evening entitled “1776 — The News of Independence Reaches German Valley,” a unique, living history event commemorating the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding.

08/30/2026

Congratulations to Christie, a history teacher at Warren County Technical School, whose high score of 820 in Jeopardy won the pair of tickets to the Society's September 19th, "A Night in 1776" event.

There are still a few tickets available to purchase your own tickets to enjoy an evening of music, food, and community as we experience what it was like for the news of independence to reach the settlement of German Valley (that's us!)

https://wthsnj.org/event/1776-the-news-of-independence-reaches-german-valley/

Don't for get to submit you answers to the How Well Do You Know Washington Township's History contest for a chance to win two tickets to September 19th's "A Night in 1776" before midnight, September 7. You must answer all three questions. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZQKPYD3

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

08/30/2026

Congratulations, WRNJ! 50 years of promoting local news and communities. 50 years as one of the few truly independent stations.

Thank you for promoting our special events and fundraisers.

08/30/2026

As the school year starts, mark your calendars for the upcoming Historical Society monthly meetings: September 15
October 19, and November 16.

If you enjoy the history of our town, state and county, now is the time join and help plan upcoming events and programs.

08/30/2026

Have you answered the three trivia questions for our contest, HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP HISTORY? The three questions were created with the rich history of the Old Union Stone Church Cemetery in mind - the setting for our September 19 fundraiser. Answer the three weekly questions for a chance to win two complimentary tickets (a $90+ value) to "Spend an Evening in 1776!"

There is time to submit your answers. The contest concludes on September 7 at midnight, giving everyone plenty of time to make plans to attend this memorable evening—even if they don't win.

Start the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZQKPYD3